From Rough Drafts to Runways: How Risk Beats Perfection

I want to start with a question I stumbled upon in, of all places, a meme: "What if someone does it better?"

We've all thought it, haven't we? Whether it's tackling a big school project, putting yourself out there creatively, or even just raising your hand in class, that little voice can creep in, whispering doubts, making us hesitate. But here's the thing that stopped me in my tracks: the meme went on to say, "Technically, the Wright Brothers built the worst airplanes in the world."

I laughed at first, because it's true! The Wright Brothers, pioneers of human flight, built airplanes that—by today's standards—were objectively awful. But guess what? They were also first. They didn't have anyone else to compare themselves to, no one else doing it better. And because they took that leap, imperfect as it was, they changed history forever.

In our most recent episode, we discussed the Five Faces of Perfectionism, but I want to tackle this topic from a slightly different angle today. Many gifted kids, and maybe you relate, struggle intensely with perfectionism. I've seen it firsthand—smart, capable students frozen by the idea that their first attempt won't be perfect. They're afraid their initial effort might not measure up to the standards they imagine in their heads.

But think about the Wright Brothers again. Their airplane wasn't perfect—it barely flew! But their courage wasn't in crafting perfection. Their courage was in simply daring to go first. By doing something no one else had tried, their effort, however imperfect, became historic.

Now, let's translate that into your classroom or your own life. Often, gifted students see "good enough" as something less than acceptable. They worry about comparison, about standing out for the wrong reasons. But what if you could flip that narrative? What if the first draft, the initial try, wasn't about being perfect or even being good? What if it was just about existing, about getting something down on paper or out into the world?

First drafts, after all, are meant to be built upon. They're starting points, not final destinations. When you put down that initial idea, that rough sketch, that first imperfect essay or science experiment, you create something tangible—something real. You give yourself a place to start improving, iterating, and eventually innovating.

And here's the best part: by being first—by daring to produce even the "worst" version of something—you've already surpassed everyone who hesitated, everyone who let perfectionism keep them from starting at all. There's immense power in taking that initial leap. It turns fear into action, anxiety into creativity, and self-doubt into forward motion.

So, as we wrap up today, remember this: the Wright Brothers didn't just build the worst airplane—they built the first airplane. And history thanks them for it. Your first draft might not fly perfectly either, but it can still be groundbreaking. Trust yourself enough to make something imperfect, because that's how greatness always begins.