The line “Two ways to do it: right, or again” doesn’t come from a famous philosopher or leadership book — it’s an old tradesman’s saying, passed down in workshops, factories, and kitchens long before it ever showed up in a boardroom. It embodies a simple truth: if you cut corners now, you’ll spend twice as long fixing them later. In other words, do it right, or do it twice.

This mindset became one of my guiding principles while building Cask Data, the company I founded. When you’re creating something from scratch — especially in technology — you live in a space where imperfection is inevitable. Startups move fast, decisions come quickly, and sometimes you get it wrong. But the key isn’t perfection; it’s persistence. When something doesn’t work, you learn, adjust, and do it again — better this time. That’s how real progress is made.

In the early days of Cask, we didn’t have the luxury of endless resources or time. We were building a complex data platform in an industry obsessed with speed. Yet, we constantly reminded ourselves: speed without correctness is chaos. We made mistakes, refactored, and rethought entire designs — not because we failed, but because we refused to settle for “good enough.” Each iteration sharpened our understanding. Each rework built resilience into both the product and the people behind it.

That’s what this quote captures for me — craftsmanship over convenience. It’s not about getting it right the first time; it’s about caring enough to get it right eventually. It’s a philosophy of ownership: if it’s wrong, fix it; if it breaks, rebuild it — but never walk away from it unfinished.

I’ve found this principle applies far beyond code or startups. In leadership, in relationships, in personal growth — you’ll always have two choices: do it right, or do it again. And often, the “again” is where you find your best work. It’s where humility meets persistence.

So now, when I face tough calls or setbacks, I don’t rush to avoid mistakes — I just commit to learning fast and fixing faster. Because the truth is, there are only two ways to do anything that matters: right, or again.

Excellence isn’t speed — it’s repetition with intent.