--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Just start Don't wait for perfection…" description: "\"Just start Don't wait for perfection. Just start and let the work teach you.\" — Jacqueline Novogratz" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/jacqueline-novogratz-2383_inspirational_just-start-don-t-wait-for-perfection-jus_1866854.png" --- # Just start Don't wait for perfection. Just start and let… ![“Just start Don't wait for perfection. Just start and let the work teach you.” quote by Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/jacqueline-novogratz-2383_inspirational_just-start-don-t-wait-for-perfection-jus_1866854.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/jacqueline-novogratz-2383_inspirational_just-start-don-t-wait-for-perfection-jus_1866854.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/jacqueline-novogratz-2383_inspirational_just-start-don-t-wait-for-perfection-jus_1866854.png) > “Just start Don't wait for perfection. Just start and let the work teach you.” [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting despite imperfection initiates learning, growth, and progress. **In simple terms:** Begin without waiting for perfection. Key Takeaway Start now, learn by doing. Themes action growth learning Mood motivational determined Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - starting a project - learning a skill - entrepreneurship - creative work Key Concepts imperfection experimentation progress Questions to Reflect On - What project are you delaying for perfection? - How can early mistakes become valuable lessons? A Different Perspective Perfectionism can stall momentum and cause missed opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) ## Related quotes > [“Don't wait for perfection. Just start and let the work teach you. No one expects you to get it right in the beginning, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/don-t-wait-for-perfection-just-start-and-let-the-work-teach-you-no/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [Don't wait for perfection before you start. Start somewhere so you can have something tangible you can work to perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/don-t-wait-for-perfection-before-you-start-start-somewhere-so-you-can/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [The perfect time will never come; never wait for perfection just make it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-perfect-time-will-never-come-never-wait-for-perfection-just-make/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Let us not wait for perfection to come to us, and know when good is good enough to move ahead.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aegelis/let-us-not-wait-for-perfection-to-come-to-us-and-know-when-good-is/) [Aegelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aegelis/) > [I should have told you from the start. I will let you down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/i-should-have-told-you-from-the-start-i-will-let-you-down/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [You can only give things up once they start to let you down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-st-aubyn-2/you-can-only-give-things-up-once-they-start-to-let-you-down/) [Edward St Aubyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-st-aubyn-2/) > [“Everyone has to start somewhere. If you let people bring you down now, you´ll never know how high you could climb. And you owe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-madow/everyone-has-to-start-somewhere-if-you-let-people-bring-you-down-now/) [Michelle Madow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-madow/) > [“Dav­el­lon may be a vil­lage, but the Dav­el­lon House can be any­thing you make it. No­bil­ity has to start some­where. It might as well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-ashling/dav-el-lon-may-be-a-vil-lage-but-the-dav-el-lon-house-can-be-any/) [Andrew Ashling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-ashling/) > [Whether you like it or not the millions are here, and here they will remain. If you do not lift them up, they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/whether-you-like-it-or-not-the-millions-are-here-and-here-they-will/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [“Education must not simply teach work - it much teach life”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois-2/education-must-not-simply-teach-work-it-much-teach-life/) [W.E.B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois-2/) > [I think you have to teach kids to work, and you can only teach them to work if you work... I can't delegate jobs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-asawa/i-think-you-have-to-teach-kids-to-work-and-you-can-only-teach-them-to/) [Ruth Asawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-asawa/) > [What I strive to do through my work, is to teach compassion. You need to have a lot of it, in this day and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamel-shabazz/what-i-strive-to-do-through-my-work-is-to-teach-compassion-you-need/) [Jamel Shabazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamel-shabazz/) > [“If you’re willing to do the work, I will teach you what to do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-lofholm/if-you-re-willing-to-do-the-work-i-will-teach-you-what-to-do/) Eric Lofholm > [Education must not simply teach work-it must teach life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/education-must-not-simply-teach-work-it-must-teach-life/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [You can teach students how to work; you can teach them technique - how to use reason; you can even give them a sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/you-can-teach-students-how-to-work-you-can-teach-them-technique-how/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) ## More by Jacqueline Novogratz > [“If you move through the world with only your compassion, then you walk on only one leg. But if you move through the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/if-you-move-through-the-world-with-only-your-compassion-then-you-walk/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [Malaria is a disease that kills one to three million people a year. 300 to 500 million cases are reported. It's estimated that Africa…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/malaria-is-a-disease-that-kills-one-to-three-million-people-a-year/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [Grief releases love and it also instills a profound sense of connection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/grief-releases-love-and-it-also-instills-a-profound-sense-of/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [What we yearn for as human beings is to be visible to each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/what-we-yearn-for-as-human-beings-is-to-be-visible-to-each-other/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [“We are connected, but the weave is sometimes fragile. (192)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/we-are-connected-but-the-weave-is-sometimes-fragile-192/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [We are connected to each other not only as humans, but to every living thing on the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/we-are-connected-to-each-other-not-only-as-humans-but-to-every-living/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [Impact investing has become a broad umbrella that includes all investing with a focus on both financial return and social impact, but in its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/impact-investing-has-become-a-broad-umbrella-that-includes-all/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [The older I get, the more determined I feel to do whatever I can to help release that human potential somehow. Not in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/the-older-i-get-the-more-determined-i-feel-to-do-whatever-i-can-to/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [After all this atrocity, this is how human beings really pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/after-all-this-atrocity-this-is-how-human-beings-really-pray/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [“Honorata's story reminds me of the extraordinary power of the human spirit to withstand almost anything. Her story also speaks to the power of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/honorata-s-story-reminds-me-of-the-extraordinary-power-of-the-human/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [I feel like I'm a relentless, pragmatic, determined optimist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/i-feel-like-i-m-a-relentless-pragmatic-determined-optimist/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [Monsters will always exist. There's one inside each of us. But an angel lives there, too. There is no more important agenda than figuring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/monsters-will-always-exist-there-s-one-inside-each-of-us-but-an-angel/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [“If you don’t like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it. You just do it one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/if-you-don-t-like-the-way-the-world-is-you-change-it-you-have-an/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [“If we have learned anything, it is the horror that can happen when people don't think for themselves, but instead follow authority blindly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/if-we-have-learned-anything-it-is-the-horror-that-can-happen-when/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [“Don't wait for perfection. Just start and let the work teach you. No one expects you to get it right in the beginning, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/don-t-wait-for-perfection-just-start-and-let-the-work-teach-you-no/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) [Explore all 169 Jacqueline Novogratz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) ## More Inspirational quotes > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/) [H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/) > [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Just understand that the good that you want is already here. All you have to do is get in harmony with it. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/just-understand-that-the-good-that-you-want-is-already-here-all-you/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/if-you-want-to-build-a-ship-don-t-drum-up-the-men-to-gather-wood/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/) [Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [Too much familiarity breeds contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/too-much-familiarity-breeds-contempt/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [We never really perceive what color is physically!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/we-never-really-perceive-what-color-is-physically/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/) [Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/) > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) [Browse all 114,561 Inspirational quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Just start Don't wait for perfection. Just start and let the work teach you.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jacqueline Novogratz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/just-start-don-t-wait-for-perfection-just-start-and-let-the-work/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Inspirational" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/just-start-don-t-wait-for-perfection-just-start-and-let-the-work/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/jacqueline-novogratz-2383_inspirational_just-start-don-t-wait-for-perfection-jus_1866854.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/jacqueline-novogratz-2383_inspirational_just-start-don-t-wait-for-perfection-jus_1866854.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/jacqueline-novogratz-2383_inspirational_just-start-don-t-wait-for-perfection-jus_1866854.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Just start Don't wait for perfection. Just start and let the work teach you.” — Jacqueline Novogratz", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jacqueline Novogratz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Just start Don't wait for perfection....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/just-start-don-t-wait-for-perfection-just-start-and-let-the-work/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/just-start-don-t-wait-for-perfection-just-start-and-let-the-work/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```