Beyond Perfectionism– The Way of Phi in Practice –

Walking The Way of Phi. Photo: Ossian Sigmond

This past week, I finally completed my book The Way of Phi.

Wait—what? I hear you exclaim. Hasn’t your book been out for months?

Well, yes—and yes.

When I spoke at the Mindfulness Day at Malmö University in mid-November, I wanted the book to be ready for that occasion. That was my deadline, and the book was ready. Not only that—on the second day of its release, the very day I gave my presentation, The Way of Phi became a #1 Bestseller in all three of its categories: Philosophy Reference, Leadership & Motivation, and Higher & Continuing Education.

And yet, I knew it wasn’t truly finished. At least, not in the way my past self would have wanted—flawless, immaculate, perfect. Instead, I chose to adopt the mindset of a tech entrepreneur: I released a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)—a version that was complete and impactful but not over-refined.

This was no small decision. It meant confronting my perfectionist tendencies once and for all. The first edition had its quirks—the layout wasn’t quite seamless between digital and print, and yes, there were typos. But the essence of the book was there, fully formed.

After Malmö, I sat down with my father, an expert in typography, to refine the layout—thus, the second version emerged. Then my mother, with her sharp editorial eye, meticulously combed through the text, as did a few other generous readers, leading to the third edition. More refinements followed—a fourth version, with further clarifications and subtle adjustments. And now, at last, the fifth—and likely final—version is complete, enriched with a reflection on what has unfolded since its first release.

Could there still be a minor detail to perfect? Perhaps. But it has now reached a level that feels truly whole—without falling into the perfectionist’s snare. I now see perfectionism for what it often is: a beautifully gilded cage, one that stifles rather than liberates.

The Way of Phi is, at its heart, about Dynamic Balance—holding the paradox of striving for excellence while embracing “good enough” when the moment calls for it. It is not about carelessness, nor about relentless nitpicking. It is about allowing imperfection to exist alongside mastery—an interplay of refinement and acceptance, of movement and stillness.

And then, to keep evolving.

Even in its first edition, the book resonated deeply with readers—many of whom shared thoughtful reflections on its impact, along with generous notes on areas for refinement. This latest version, however, is something greater. And that, to me, is a hallmark of true creation: the journey from good to great, allowing room for iteration, adaptation, and deepening.

Beyond the book itself, since its launch, I have been living The Way of Phi in a new way. Especially since the release gathering on the 31st of January, I have been immersed in its teachings—not just writing about them, but embodying them. And in doing so, I have come to understand the work on an even deeper level. The more I walk this path, the more auspicious encounters arise, the more resonance I feel. There is a sense of momentum now—a rising current of energy.

If you haven’t yet explored The Way of Phi, now is the "perfect" time to do so! It’s available on Amazon worldwide. Click here to get to the general Amazon store—if needed, simply replace “.com” in the URL with your regional equivalent (.se, .co.uk, .fr, etc.) to find your edition.

With grace,

Christopher