Scriptnotes Podcast 719 - When Good Enough Isn't Enough
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Jan 6, 2026 John and Craig dive into the challenge of knowing when perfection is necessary versus when good enough will do. They explore the balance between obsessive formatting and practical writing, examining how personal standards affect project outcomes. The duo also discusses the dangers of over-optimization, sharing stories of high-stakes presentations versus lackluster product launches. From the value of 'vomit drafts' to the evolution of the writing industry post-WGA negotiations, this conversation is packed with insights for writers at all levels.
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Match Effort To Audience
- Evaluate audience and exposure before polishing: private drafts need less polish than public work.
- Pull or revise older public pieces if they no longer represent your best self.
Apply Cost-Benefit To Perfectionism
- Use cost-benefit thinking to decide whether extra refinement is worth the time invested.
- Your perception of 'done' is subjective and often disconnected from objective value.
Polish By Project Stage
- Consider the project stage: proofs of concept should be low-polish experiments, finals demand higher finish.
- Define a minimum viable scope to test ideas before committing heavy polish.
