Why We Want MVP Friends Instead of Full Versions

Imagine you’re at a dinner party, and someone brings out a fully prepared, multi-course meal. It looks amazing, but what if nobody likes the food? All that effort and expense could be wasted. Now, imagine instead that they bring out a simple appetizer, something small and easy to make. If people enjoy it, they can build on that success. If not, they can try something else without losing much.

This is similar to how businesses approach new products. Instead of launching a full, complex product right away, they often start with something called a Minimum Viable Product, or MVP. An MVP is like that appetizer—it’s a basic version of the product that still works but doesn’t have all the bells and whistles. It’s designed to get feedback from early users, so the company can see if they’re on the right track before investing too much time and money.

Having MVP friends in our personal lives can be thought of in a similar way. Instead of trying to be perfect or expecting perfection from others, we can focus on building relationships that are genuine and meaningful, even if they’re not fully developed. These relationships can grow and evolve based on mutual feedback and understanding, much like how an MVP product evolves based on user feedback.

In both cases, the idea is to start small, learn from the experience, and then build upon it. This approach reduces the risk of failure and allows for more flexibility and adaptability. It’s about creating something that is good enough to start with, rather than trying to create something perfect from the beginning.

This mindset can be incredibly liberating. It means we don’t have to put so much pressure on ourselves or others to be flawless. We can focus on enjoying the journey, learning from our mistakes, and improving over time. In a world where perfection is often unrealistic, embracing the idea of MVPs—whether in products or relationships—can lead to more fulfilling and successful outcomes.