Has this ever happened to you? You are in a whirlwind … rushing to finish a report or a long email. “Nailed it!” you say. You click send. Then, a few days later, when it’s plainly too late, you look at your work and you think: Hmmm … What if I had done this or that to make it better?

Don’t we all hate saying What if? That’s why, when it comes to design, this is my trick for not ever saying those two dreaded words.

I integrate a step-back stage.

After doing the work (and before I submit the job for client signoff), I make time to do this: step back from it—create distance—to gain that much-needed perspective we all require to actually see what’s been created and make any necessary improvements.

And I’ve learned that—whether it’s a direct mail piece, a Facebook ad, a brochure, or even a simple email—this stage is mandatory. Not optional.

Because design isn’t just about choosing fonts and colors — it’s about seeing things clearly.

What happens when this designer steps back?

AMAZING THINGS!

I notice:

• The headline or image that almost works—but not quite.
• The messaging that’s wordy or unclear.
• The layout that feels slightly off-balance, cluttered, or overworked.
• The call-to-action that doesn’t match the intent of the page.
• The visual hierarchy that isn’t guiding the eye the way it should.

Stepping back isn’t a new idea.

David Ogilvy, the “Father of Advertising,” wrote about this decades ago, in his 1982 memo, How to Write:

He advised writers to finish their work — and hold it.
Then come back the next morning and read it out loud.
You’ll edit with a calmer mind.
 
The goal wasn’t just correction.
It was clarity.

No time for this step?

You might regret it, because you didn’t give yourself the opportunity to see things in a new light. The final product may feel “off.”

Give yourself 5 stars, instead.

If it’s one thing experience has taught me, it’s that it pays to step back before you move forward. That’s why skipping these 5 are not an option for me:

• I never finalize a design the same day I finish it.
• I build in intentional gaps between draft and delivery.
• I review with fresh eyes — often the next morning.
• I simplify aggressively after stepping away.
• I check clarity before aesthetics.

When I return, I’m no longer attached to the decisions I made earlier. I’m
evaluating them. And that shift — from creator to editor — makes all the difference.

A simple rule for best results: Sleep on it.

And if you can’t, be sure to at least get away from your work for a few hours. Then, before declaring it complete, ask yourself:

Is this as clear as it could be?
Have I simplified everything?
Does this communicate instantly?

If the answer isn’t a confident yes, you’re not done yet — so step back!

Do you connect with this? Let me know!