Why Prioritizing Speed Over Efficiency Can Open Doors Others Miss

Imagine a high school robotics team with a shot at a statewide competition, but only weeks to prepare while rivals have months. Most teams spend months building the perfect robot, triple-checking every wire. But this team’s coach tells them to quickly assemble a prototype, test it, and keep iterating. Their room is a mess as pieces fly and tools buzz late into the night. They race to fix issues as they emerge, sometimes holding parts together with tape for early trials, knowing there's no time for perfection. Instead of waiting for perfect blueprints, they get feedback from each trial run—realizing the drive system needs more power, and the grip could be stronger. While other teams are stuck in planning, they already have a working robot learning from real-world obstacles. There’s a palpable sense of energy—nerves, yes, but also excitement. The coach reminds them: if they lose, at least they’ll know exactly what failed and why, rather than never knowing if a slow, “right” way would have worked at all.

In behavioral science, this approach aligns with the concept of “bias toward action” and rapid prototyping found in Lean Startup methodology. It also taps into the principle that when environments are highly uncertain and the cost of being slow is higher than the cost of being imperfect, those who move decisively gain information, credibility, and positioning that late movers rarely match. The key—and the trade-off—is accepting higher risk and messiness in exchange for seizing opportunities that won’t wait for certainty.

Spot an opening where quick movement could make the difference for you—maybe it’s pitching that project, applying for a role, or releasing a blog post even if it’s not flawless. Jot down what you know, where you’re still unsure, and consciously choose what you’ll let go of to gain time. Commit to start now, not later, and set a time to check your progress. If you notice bumps, change course rapidly; don’t panic if things aren’t perfect. Acting with speed is a skill—and today’s a great day to practice. Grab the messy win before someone else does.