“Art is supposed to be imperfect.” -Robert Rodriguez

SinCity, From Dusk til Dusk, Desperado, Spy Kids are just a few of the films he’s made over his nearly 30 career in Hollywood.

He’s known for maverick, “one-man film crew” style, and for eschewing big budgets in favor of creative autonomy even on big films like Spy Kids.

He first film, El Mariachi, was made on a budget of $7,000 with a handheld camera and it went on to gross more than $2M.

Often shooting and editing far away from the bright lights of Hollywood at his home and studio in Austin, Texas, Rodriguez is a person who makes, who does, and doesn’t wait for permission.

When chatting with Tim Ferris on his eponymous podcast about his life and work, he remarked about the mail he gets on a regular basis.

Folks writing to point out the little errors and incongruities in his work.

Lack of continuity, bloopers, often imperceptible except with close scrutiny.

Paraphrasing him, “Art is supposed to be imperfect. I never understood trying to get to perfection. The beauty is in the imperfection. You make this stuff, you tell the story, and you move onto what’s next.”

Art is supposed to be imperfect.

– Robert Rodrigez, Director of Sin City, Desperado, Spy Kids

Too often in our professional lives–whether making art, building a business, launching a freelance practice–we wait for the perfect moment.

To be completely ready. For the stars to align. But the reality is that your career, like art, is supposed to be imperfect.

You will make, ship, win, lose, and evolve. But it’s the willingness to do that will set you apart.

Make the call you’re putting off. Ship the work you’re afraid will get judged. Launch the practice you fear you’re not ready for. Do. Try. Miss. Observe. Go again. Until you hit.

That makes up success. What if Rodriguez had waited?

For the perfect budget, time, opportunity. To be “ready.” For permission. He likely would never have gotten started. Because the moment would have never arrived.

Remember: Hope is not a strategy. Luck is not a factor. Fear is not an option.

You have what you need. Right now. Today. Whatever you’re making will be imperfect. But that’s OK. That’s where the beauty in it lies.