I have two teenage kids in high school and they drive me crazy at times with how little effort they seem to put into their school work. This is a song as old as time. I do my best not to “tiger parent” them, and at the same time I know what they’re capable of. It drives me absolutely nuts.
And then I look at the paralysis I can find myself in at times, where my pendulum can swing so far the other way. I sometimes don’t take action because I know I’m capable of more. And if I can’t deliver a version of what I feel I’m capable of doing, then I wait until it’s perfect (or at least comes close to my version of my best).
When I was younger, I had to do things to survive. I needed to make money to live, to pay rent, to put food on the table, quite literally. I found fun ways to make this money, and have plenty of stories to share about them, but in the end I was moved into action because my survival counted on it.
These days, I’m in a place of privilege and can toil away and play around with ideas, and then let them die on the vine, because there was no need for me to follow through. I can hide out, on my little slice of internet, and write my articles, and be content with the literal handful of people who did the work to find me and be part of what I’m creating (Hi there!).
My recent experience of taking an “imperfect action” with my US immigration, and the speed at which everything has happened since (I submitted the last of my paperwork yesterday), has made clear to me that the things I want are likely easily achieved – if I let myself have them.
So I’m revisiting my relationship with the phrase “good enough”. Instead of seeing it as something a slacking teenager might do, see it as empowering.
I’m not talking about sending a manned mission to Mars (or see the Titanic), so stop treating everything as if I was. No one is going to die.
I’m going to try to be more like my kids, and adopt a “good enough” philosophy.
“Good enough” is going to open doors for me.
“Good enough” is going to bring new people and connections to me.
“Good enough” is going to allow me to create more fun for myself, and experiences.
“Good enough” will allow me to make the impact I want to make.
“Good enough” is good enough.
Where in your own life are you toiling endlessly and how might it already be “good enough”?
