EP 220 - Mastering Efficiency: Why 95% is Good Enough with Andy Fine
In episode #220 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we sat down with Andy Fine, founder of Sartoro, a custom menswear brand focused on sustainability, craftsmanship, and digital-first tailoring. Andy shared a principle that has shaped his entrepreneurial journey: “95% perfect takes 50% of the work—doubling your effort isn’t worth the last 5%.”
For entrepreneurs and leaders, this is a game-changing mindset shift. It challenges the obsession with perfection and highlights the importance of efficiency, prioritization, and knowing when to move forward. Andy’s insights are a must-hear for anyone looking to scale their business without getting trapped in the pursuit of diminishing returns.
The Power of the 95% Rule
Andy explained that this principle is fundamental to how he operates, especially in the world of startups and small teams. “You have to get a lot done in short periods of time and balance priorities,” he said. “Chasing the last 5% can be a huge drain on time and resources, often without meaningful impact.”
Many entrepreneurs fall into the perfectionism trap, believing that if something isn’t absolutely flawless, it’s not ready. But Andy has learned that in most cases, getting things done well and fast is better than making them perfect and slow.
Prioritization is Key
One of the most valuable insights from Andy’s approach is understanding what truly matters. Not every task or project requires perfection. “If it’s a product that impacts the customer experience, yes, we refine it further. But if it’s an internal process or a test campaign, spending double the time for minor improvements just isn’t worth it,” he shared.
This mindset allows entrepreneurs to focus on the highest-impact activities, rather than wasting time on details that won’t significantly affect outcomes.
Speed Creates Competitive Advantage
In today’s fast-moving world, speed is often a bigger advantage than perfection. “Getting something 95% right and launching fast allows you to collect real feedback and improve in iterations,” Andy pointed out. “If you wait until something is 100% perfect, you might already be behind.”
Many successful companies, from startups to tech giants, operate on the principle of iteration—launch quickly, get customer feedback, and refine along the way. This prevents over-investing in perfection before knowing what actually works.
Perfection Can Kill Creativity
Andy also discussed how chasing perfection can stifle creativity and slow decision-making. “When you’re overly focused on perfection, you tend to overthink and second-guess yourself. That can lead to hesitation and missed opportunities.”
Instead, he encourages a mindset of action and adjustment. “It’s about making things great, not perfect. Perfection is often subjective, and by the time you achieve it, the landscape may have changed.”
5 Key Takeaways from Andy Fine’s Wisdom
95% perfect is often enough – Instead of getting stuck in the perfectionist cycle, recognize when something is “good enough” and move forward. By focusing on execution and action, you can iterate and refine based on real-world feedback rather than spending excessive time on minor details that might not matter in the long run.
Prioritize impact over perfection – Understanding what truly drives results is essential. Allocate your time and energy where it will have the most significant impact. Not every task demands meticulous perfection; some simply need to be executed efficiently so that momentum is maintained.
Speed creates a competitive edge – The faster you act, the quicker you can learn and adapt. Businesses that prioritize speed over perfection gain an edge because they can pivot, adjust, and innovate while others are still fine-tuning. This agility is what separates market leaders from those who lag behind.
Perfectionism can hinder creativity – When you let go of the need to make everything flawless, you free up mental space for innovation. Creativity flourishes in an environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities to improve rather than failures. By embracing imperfection, you allow yourself to experiment and push boundaries without fear of failure.
Launch, learn, and iterate – Progress happens when you take action. Rather than waiting for everything to be flawless, put your work out into the world and use real feedback to make meaningful improvements. This iterative process leads to sustainable growth and continuous improvement over time.
Take Action
As an entrepreneur, leader, or creator, challenge yourself to embrace the 95% rule. Ask yourself: Are you holding back progress in pursuit of perfection? Could your time be better spent moving forward rather than refining endlessly?
Jot down your thoughts on a paper napkin and share it with the world using #PaperNapkinWisdom. Let’s keep the conversation going on how we can balance excellence with efficiency!
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