If you’re not embarrassed, you shipped too late

Perfectionism is procrastination in a nicer outfit. The founder polishing version one in private isn’t protecting quality — they’re avoiding the verdict.

Reid Hoffman put it plainly: if you’re not embarrassed by your first version, you launched too late. The first release isn’t a monument to your taste. It’s a question you’re asking the market, and you can’t hear the answer until it’s out.

Ship the smallest thing that delivers the core promise. Let real users break it, ignore it, or love the one feature you almost cut. That feedback is worth more than another month of guessing.

Done and learning beats perfect and hidden. Every single time.