Why I Stopped Aiming for "Perfect" (And Why You Should Too)

 I am 40 years old. I found out this year that I am dyslexic.

For decades, I interpreted my struggles with rote memorization or fine details as simple "weaknesses." I thought I was just incapable.

But that diagnosis changed everything. It didn't just explain my struggles; it highlighted my strengths. I realized my brain had made a trade-off: I might miss the minutiae, but I excel at seeing systems, patterns, and big-picture connections.

I wasn't incapable. I just think differently and I am iterative.

That realization really connects to my philosophy that drives my work and life today: I am Learning in Perpetual Beta (LPB).

What is "Perpetual Beta"?

We often treat learning as a destination—a mountain top we reach where we can finally say, "I’m an expert. I’m done."

LPB rejects that. It borrows a mindset from the software world. A "Beta" version of an app isn't finished. It’s buggy. It’s rough. But it’s out there. It’s being tested, broken, and improved in real-time.

Here is how I break it down:

  • The “Learning” aspect is the recognition that learning is an active verb, not a passive noun. It is not the accumulation of information, but the act of making sense of the world.
  • The “Perpetual” aspect is the commitment to staying open to growth throughout our learning journey and life.
  • “Beta” comes from the software world, where a beta version is not final—it’s ready enough to test, gather feedback, break, and improve.

Why This Matters Now

Whether you are an educator, a student, or a creative, the pressure to be "perfect" is paralyzing. But look at how the real world works. Designers prototype. Scientists revise hypotheses. Artists sketch. If we want to build a culture of innovation, we have to stop hiding our process. We have to be willing to be unfinished.

So, welcome to my blog. Everything here is in Beta. And I hope that encourages you to be in Beta, too.

Learn more about LPB here.

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