Listen to the audio version of this post here.
When is good enough good enough?
So, here I sat, trying to decide what to write to you about. I always put a lot of thought into my weekly message and I’m often brimming with ideas.
Sometimes an issue from the news or pop culture jumps out; it’s the obvious question for us to consider. Sometimes I write about a business, or maybe a personal experience I’ve had lately. Sometimes it’s all about an experience you’ve had—and I have something worthwhile to say about it.
Then there’s today. Sitting with my fingers poised above the keyboard. And a list of no-that’s-not-quite-it subjects on my desk. What if, after all these years of being in touch with you, I’ve finally run dry?
Maybe you’ve been there? Fresh out of great, or even good, ideas?
It made me think about something I read in The New York Times the other day. The article was Four Ways to Stop Stressing About Your Schedule. And one of those ways made a big impression on me. I’m guessing it might help you too.
Consider whether you can bring your B Game.
There’s nothing I like better than getting a gold star beside my name. Making the Honor Roll. Earning a bonus for great ratings. A big round of enthusiastic applause when I wrap up a speaking gig.
You know – it’s all about turning in a fabulous performance and being recognized for it. You can relate, can’t you?
But sometimes we don’t seem to have the time or energy or creativity to knock it out of the park. Our A-Game just isn’t there this time. So maybe the B-Game will do?
Here’s how the NYT put it: “Do you need to bake cookies for your book club, or will store-bought do? Can that Zoom meeting be a quick phone call instead, while you take a reviving walk?
Be alert for those moments when you are needlessly giving it your all and could give, say, 75 percent instead.”
They were quoting the author of Time Anxiety: The Illusion of Urgency and a Better Way to Live, Chris Guillebeau. And I think he’s onto something.
As Guillebeau says, sometimes “it’s OK to bring your B-Game.”
But how do you decide if it’s one of those times?
I’ve always relied on what you might call an improv mindset. That means being in the moment, relying on your content, your knowledge, and your instincts. From there, it’s about making the most of whatever comes up, and not letting yourself get derailed by doubt.
That served me well in radio, working on the air with colleagues and callers. Yes, we set out to do a great show every day. And sometimes we did!
Other times, a bit fell short. Not the end of the world, right? As I always said, “It’s out of my mouth and halfway to Mars.” And we’re on to the next thing.
That last part, being ready to move on to the next thing? That seems important if we’re going to fall back on our B-Game. Because whatever we’re doing right now, it’s not the last chance we’ll ever have. We know we can always hit a home run next time.
Maybe that sounds like sacrilege to you.
Some of us really are perfectionists. The idea of settling for less than top-notch performance every time might make you crazy. Tell me about it.
On the other hand, maybe you go with the idea that done really is better than perfect. You do the best you can with what you have right now, and don’t spend any time on regret. I’m eager to hear from you too.
I’m so curious about where you stand, and I hope you’re curious about each other. So please weigh in with your take on bringing your B-Game. When, if ever, is that okay with you?
One more thing to consider. Don’t you find that sometimes what seemed like 75 percent to you turns out to get you that gold star by your name after all?
Hi Catherine!
You HAVE hit the nail on the head with this one, because it’s a big issue for a lot of us. I’m a long-time Business Analyst, Project Manager, troubleshooter, developer, trainer, implementer, … I often handle projects that cover wide subject matter areas, impact a large number of people, and contain a myriad of details. Sometimes, there is this one thing (or list of things) for which there just isn’t yet a good solution. We call the situation something slightly different here – “don’t let perfection get in the way of good”. As much as I’d like to have every little detail perfect, sometimes it’s just not in the cards and I have to move forward with what I have. I have let it go and consider it an opportunity for continuous improvement at some later date!
“An opportunity for continuous improvement later” — I love that, Michelle. It’s often the case that we can return to a project at another time. And we need to get it up or out in the meanwhile, even with an imperfection or two. Your team is lucky to have you with that “don’t let perfection get in the way of good” mindset.
Jesus said “Be perfect as your Father is perfect. John Wesley (who was human)said “Do all the good you can to all the people you can in all the ways you can as long as you ever can.” I can’t aspire to perfection but the world needs all the good that I can do.
It sure does, Carol! I like the Wesley quote. I drew on it unknowingly in a post almost exactly three years ago, referring to Jana Stanfield’s song. And it seems not much has changed since then.
Hi Catherine,
Your comments are a reminder that we need to step back and reflect occasionally to make course corrections that benefit ourselves.
Along the way, I learned “Enough is Good Enough.” It taught me that perfectionism takes too much time and even an emotional toll. Ultimately, I realized that I was overdoing, when it wasn’t necessary. I also learned, if it became important, I could go back later.
Yes, Janet, perfectionism does take an emotional toll. Sometimes “perfect” really is important — I wouldn’t want my neurosurgeon to settle for “good enough.” But most of the time, good enough really IS good enough.