Good Enough

In a culture where achievement and performance and winning are highly regarded, these have become dirty words:

Good enough.

And while some tout “perfect is the enemy of done” perspectives, a recent podcast made a new suggestion that made “good enough” find its place for me.

Derek Sivers was a recent guest on The Tim Ferriss Show podcast and he put good enough in a new light.  Derek and Tim discussed the difference between “maximizing” and “satisficing” – the latter meaning that, instead of optimizing, one shoots for satisfaction.  The distinction Derek brought that I appreciated was to make a choice about what to maximize and what to satisfize (a word I’ve now made up).

Where we often get trapped is in trying to maximize EVERYTHING, to be the best at EVERYTHING.  Derek’s point was – pick the thing or things that matter most and maximize those.  But then simply satisfize after that.  Otherwise, you’ll drive yourself mad.

There are so many things we are often trying to maximize – relationships, jobs, physical prowess, wealth, a new skill or hobby, efficiency…the list goes on.  But maybe not all those things (and the many additional ones not listed) have the same importance or meaning to us.  Maybe there is only one, or two perhaps, that we care enough to really make the best they can be.  And the rest could just…be.