“Anything worth doing, is worth doing badly.” - G.K. Chesterton

One of my favorite experiences is when I first read something that I completely disagree…

Only to end up agreeing with it after I actually understand it.

This quote gave me that experience.

If you take this quote and slip in an antonym for badly, you get:

Anything worth doing, is worth doing to perfection.

On the surface, that seems like a better quote. At least it might be more encouraging.

But it’s unrealistic.

Eating healthy is worth doing, but not worth doing perfectly, i.e. never eating a dessert again.

Being a parent is worth doing, but who is a perfect parent?

The point of this quote is not about the quality of the work. It is about just doing the work.

No one wants to do anything “badly.”

And Chesterton is not telling us to do that.

The emphasis on this quote shouldn’t be about the word “badly” but instead our focus should be on the “doing".”

The heart of this quote is about not letting perfection get in the way of progress.

Anything you start (that is worth doing) you will do badly.

But that is does not stop us from doing the things that are worth it.

Go out and make a difference.