Balancing Perfectionism and Continuous Improvement: Lessons from DRIFT to Kaizen in Personal and Professional Growth

During my six years as a young quality engineer in the oil and gas industry, I was trained in the “Do it Right the First Time” (DRIFT) approach.

It is based on a principle in Quality Management called “Zero-defects,” a proactive preventive-over-cure approach ensuring that everything is done correctly on the first attempt.

Since my work involved inspecting boilers, pressure vessels, storage tanks, and piping systems, the DRIFT approach was crucial due to the high safety-critical nature of these activities.

Ensuring safety and quality on the first go was essential; otherwise, it would result in an expensive, drawn-out cycle of rework, re-inspection and retesting.

This work approach somehow unintentionally got into my psyche, and I found myself approaching personal life goals and personal development in the same way.

However, I ultimately realized that this approach was paralyzing. The fear of making mistakes can prevent us from taking risks or trying new things, stalling our development.

Discovering Kaizen: A continuous improvement approach.

My outlook changed when I was tasked with leading a digitalization project, partnering with an IT company that introduced me to Scrum and sprint iterations.

These methodologies, based on the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement, emphasize small, manageable changes. This approach allows for learning and adaptation over time, contrasting sharply with the rigid perfectionism of DRIFT.

The Law of Reversed Effort: Why Perfectionism fails.

Sahil Bloom¹, in a recent post, shared wisdom that resonated with me about why DRIFT approach often fails in personal development. The Law of Reversed Effort, coined by Aldous Huxley, states: “The harder we try with the conscious will to do something, the less we shall succeed.” This principle is evident in many areas of life:

• When you press to complete a creative task, you often become less creative.
• Actively searching for the perfect partner can make the quest feel forced and less authentic.
• Trying to force yourself to sleep often leads to sleepless nights.

Elite sprinters use the 85% rule, running at 85% intensity to stay loose and fluid. At 100% intensity, they tense up and slow down. This concept is captured beautifully in a Zen parable about a martial arts student who, in his eagerness to master his craft quickly, learns that pushing too hard actually doubles the time it takes to reach mastery.

Balancing Drift with Kaizen.

James Clear, known for his work on habits and productivity, offers valuable insights on how to balance between DRIFT and Kaizen approaches.

He calls it the “Hats, Haircuts, and Tattoos²” framework.

1. Hats: Most decisions are like trying on hats. If one doesn’t fit, you can easily take it off and try another. The cost of a mistake is low, so it’s best to move quickly and experiment with different options.
2. Haircuts: Some decisions are like getting a haircut. A bad haircut can be fixed, but it takes time and might be uncomfortable. Still, trying something new is usually worth the risk. If it doesn’t work out, you’ll recover and move on.
3. Tattoos: A few decisions are like getting a tattoo. These choices are permanent and have long-lasting consequences. When faced with irreversible decisions, it’s crucial to move slowly and think carefully.

The DRIFT approach, akin to projects like building a skyscraper, emphasizes meticulous planning and getting everything right the first time to avoid costly mistakes and rework. This is crucial in safety-critical industries, where errors can have significant consequences.

In contrast, the Kaizen approach aligns more with projects like writing a book, where immediate action and gradual improvement are key.

Rather than getting bogged down in extensive planning, Kaizen encourages starting with small steps and continuously refining the process.

This iterative approach allows for learning and growth along the way, making it ideal for personal development and projects that evolve through ongoing effort and adaptation.

Balancing Perfectionism with Progress

The key takeaway is to understand when to apply DRIFT and when to embrace Kaizen. For critical, high-stakes projects, thorough planning and a zero-defect approach are necessary.

However, in areas like personal growth, creativity, and new ventures, adopting a mindset of continuous improvement allows for learning and adaptation.

✍🏼Quote of the Week

“Done is better than perfect.” – Sheryl Sandberg

🧠Food for Thought

Reflect on areas in your life where striving for perfection might be holding you back. Could adopting a more flexible, continuous improvement approach help you move forward?

🧭Weekly Compass

Preparation Is The Game: Preparation is crucial for success, as shown by the story of two brothers who built pyramids. While one brother rushed into building, the other took the time to prepare tools and ultimately succeeded.

📖Read & Rise

The Surprising Power of Small Habits: James Clear’s talk emphasizes that our lives are shaped by our habits, and small daily changes can lead to significant improvements. He explains how consistent, one-percent improvements can help us achieve our goals and transform our lives. By adopting the right habits, we can enhance our personal and professional success.