Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast

From Perfectionist to Pro: The 80% Rule Revealed

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Episode 27: From Perfectionist to Pro — The 80% Rule Revealed!

In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman explores one of the biggest mindset shifts for early-career physicians: moving from perfectionism to progress. She introduces the “80% Rule,” a practical framework that helps you escape the trap of over-editing, over-preparing, and overthinking — and start building momentum in your career.

Dr. Ishman shares how striving for perfection often slows growth, limits visibility, and drains energy. Instead, she offers strategies for applying the 80% Rule to writing, research, presentations, and academic collaborations — so you can produce excellent work efficiently and sustainably.

No need to take notes — the Blog has a full summary of these insights.

If you’re interested in my Academic Physician Kickstarter Course — designed to chart your personalized path to promotion for physicians in their first 5 years of practice — please DM me on Instagram @sishmancoach or email me at [email protected].

This course helps you set up your practice, learn finances 101, build a research program, grow your national reputation, and prepare a personalized promotion plan. My mission is to help you envision your ideal career and create a path to your version of success.

Join us to kickstart your career.

Key Points
  1. Introduction: The Problem with Perfectionism (00:00 - 01:00)
    • Many early-career physicians believe that if something isn’t perfect, it isn’t ready.
    • This mindset leads to unfinished drafts, delayed submissions, and missed opportunities.
    • Perfectionism doesn’t get you promoted — progress does.

      1. The 80% Rule Explained (01:00 - 02:00)
        • The 80% Rule means stopping when your work is 80% as good as you think it should be.
        • Your 80% is often better than others’ 100%.
        • It’s not about cutting corners — it’s about aligning time with energy and value.

          1. The Hidden Costs of Perfectionism (02:00 - 03:00)
            • Perfectionism masquerades as high standards but functions like quicksand.
            • It creates invisible barriers to progress and contributes to burnout.
            • Projects that sit unfinished rob you of visibility and collaboration opportunities.

              1. Why 80% is Strategic (03:00 - 04:00)
                • Momentum matters more than polish — sharing drafts leads to feedback and growth.
                • Multiple “good enough” outputs compound visibility and reputation over time.
                • Freeing up energy allows focus on high-impact activities like mentorship and leadership.

                  1. A Personal Shift: Stacey’s Story (04:00 - 05:00)
                    • Early in her career, Dr. Ishman lost weeks perfecting manuscripts.
                    • Adopting the 80% Rule led to more publications, invitations, and visibility.
                    • Momentum proved more powerful than perfection.

                      1. Practical Tips to Apply the 80% Rule (05:00 - 06:30)
                        • Set a timer when writing or creating slides — and stop when it goes off.
                        • Share drafts early; use checklists instead of chasing perfection.
                        • Delegate the final 20% — formatting, proofreading, or references.
                        • Redefine excellence: impact and consistency > flawlessness.
                        • Practice releasing work that’s “almost ready” and track the results.

                          1. Case Study: Progress Over Perfect (06:30 - 07:00)
                            • A physician hesitated to email for speaking invitations until her message was “perfect.”
                            • When she finally did, three institutions responded immediately.
                            • Visibility and confidence grew once she stopped over-polishing.

                              1. Final Takeaway (07:00 - End)
                                • Your promotion committee, collaborators, and patients don’t need perfection — they need visibility and reliability.
                                • The 80% Rule is the mindset shift that takes you from perfectionist to strategic — and it can save your career.

                                  • Summary

                                  Perfectionism may feel like dedication, but it’s often disguised procrastination. The 80% Rule empowers you to act sooner, publish more, and grow faster by valuing momentum over polish. Dr. Ishman reminds us that excellence isn’t about flawlessness — it’s about consistent, visible, and meaningful work that moves your career forward.

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                                  • DM me on Instagram at @sishmancoach
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                                    Medical Mentor Coaching PodcastBy Dr. Stacey Ishman