--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Be an imperfectionist. Perfectionists…" description: "\"“Be an imperfectionist. Perfectionists spend too much time on little differences at the margins at the expense of the important things.”\" — Ray Dalio" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/ray-dalio-299_excellence_be-an-imperfectionist-perfectionists-spe_2628222.jpg" --- # Be an imperfectionist. Perfectionists spend too much time… ![“Be an imperfectionist. Perfectionists spend too much time on little differences at the margins at the expense of the important things.” quote by Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/ray-dalio-299_excellence_be-an-imperfectionist-perfectionists-spe_2628222.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/ray-dalio-299_excellence_be-an-imperfectionist-perfectionists-spe_2628222.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/ray-dalio-299_excellence_be-an-imperfectionist-perfectionists-spe_2628222.jpg) > ““Be an imperfectionist. Perfectionists spend too much time on little differences at the margins at the expense of the important things.”” [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Perfectionism wastes time on minor details, diverting focus from truly important matters. **In simple terms:** Focusing on small flaws distracts from big goals. Key Takeaway Prioritize what truly matters. Themes focus productivity perfectionism Mood reflective analytical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - project management - creative work - personal goals - decision making Key Concepts Opportunity cost attention allocation Questions to Reflect On - What minor detail could you let go today? - How does perfectionism affect your stress? A Different Perspective Perfectionism can sometimes ensure quality in critical tasks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Differences Margins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences-margins-2168275/) [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Imperfectionist Perfectionists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imperfectionist-perfectionists-2168273/) [Important things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-things/) [Margins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/margins/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Perfectionists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfectionists/) [Perfectionists Spend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfectionists-spend-2168274/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Don't be a perfectionist, because perfectionists often spend too much time on little differences at the margins at the expense of other big, important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/don-t-be-a-perfectionist-because-perfectionists-often-spend-too-much/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [“Scientists define perfectionism as the will to achieve high standards combined with excessive self-criticism. 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Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [A lot of actors are perfectionists, besides merely being egotists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-mabius/a-lot-of-actors-are-perfectionists-besides-merely-being-egotists/) [Eric Mabius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-mabius/) > [I had no idea what I was walking into, and the years and years of hard work it would take. I felt like an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-had-no-idea-what-i-was-walking-into-and-the-years-and-years-of-hard/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [“More importantly, however, the formalized apprenticeship system led to higher and higher aesthetic and quality standards. 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By its exactitudes of measurements it invites the attention of perfectionists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heywood-hale-broun/golf-is-not-on-the-whole-a-game-for-realists-by-its-exactitudes-of/) [Heywood Hale Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heywood-hale-broun/) ## More by Ray Dalio > [“Slow down your thinking so you can note the criteria you are using to make your decision. 2. Write the criteria down as a principle.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/slow-down-your-thinking-so-you-can-note-the-criteria-you-are-using-to/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [“Having a process that ensures problems are brought to the surface, and their root causes diagnosed, assures that continual improvements occur.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/having-a-process-that-ensures-problems-are-brought-to-the-surface-and/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [“If you can’t successfully do something, don’t think you can tell others how it should be done”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/if-you-can-t-successfully-do-something-don-t-think-you-can-tell/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [“Remember that a good plan should resemble a movie script.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/remember-that-a-good-plan-should-resemble-a-movie-script/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [“I believe that the key to success lies in knowing how to both strive for a lot and fail well. 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