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I almost skipped this week’s Thought of the Week because I’ve been stuck in a perfectionist loop on another video—4 hours rerecording a 90-second intro. As a licensed therapist who helps men break free from perfectionism, you’d think I’d have this figured out. I don’t. And that’s the point.

In this 3:44 episode, I share how I use the 80/20 rule: getting to ~80% takes reasonable effort; pushing from 80% to “perfect” eats time, energy, and momentum. The hard part is accepting what 80% actually looks like when your work is tied to credibility, reputation, and (for many of us) our identity as competent men.

Key ideas:
• Perfectionism as a status/credibility fear—why “being exposed” keeps us looping takes
• The 80/20 framework applied to creative and professional work
• A simple constraint: “3 takes max” to force decisions and ship the work
• “Done and useful” beats “perfect and late”

Try this:

1. Define your 80% before you start (one sentence).
2. Set a cap (e.g., 3 takes, 30 minutes, 2 edits).
3. Ship it—and write one note you’ll improve next time.

Your turn: When you’re stuck in the perfectionism loop, what breaks you out of it? Drop a comment so other guys can steal what works.

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🎙️ American Masculinity Podcast
Honest conversations about men’s mental health, relationships, and what healthy masculinity actually looks like.
Host: Tim Wienecke — Licensed Psychotherapist, Veteran, Men’s Mental Health Advocate

Disclaimer: This podcast is for education, not therapy. If you’re struggling, please seek personalized support from a qualified professional.

#mensmentalhealth #perfectionism #masculinity #therapist #mentalhealth #thoughtoftheweek

The American Masculinity Podcast™ is hosted by Timothy Wienecke — licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, and men’s advocate.
Real conversations about masculinity, mental health, growth, and how men can show up better — as partners, leaders, and friends.
We focus on grounded tools, not yelling or clichés. If you have questions or want a tool for something you're wrestling with, leave a comment or send a message — your feedback shapes what we build next.
Note: While this doesn’t replace therapy, it might help you notice something worth exploring.