“Good enough” is the enemy of Great
How often have you or someone you know said, “Okay, that’s good enough”? If you are like most people, then the answer is quite often. This phrase is usually used when someone is tired and ready to stop doing whatever task it is that they are trying to complete.
When I was in college, I can remember my roommate always waiting to the last minute to write his term papers. He would work on it for most of the night and then just as exhaustion was about to overtake him, he would sigh, “That’s good enough”.
“Good enough” seldom is
There are several problems with this approach to rating our efforts.
- The most obvious is that “good enough” seldom is good enough. It is not our best effort and when pressed to judge our own work, we will not say that it is a superlative attempt. The truth be known, we did just enough to satisfy the qualifications for the job. We are not proud of our effort.
- This “good enough” ideology is quickly permeating the American economy. Fewer and fewer people seem to take pride in their job and work. Everyone wants to “do their eight and hit the gate”. Phrases like, “that’s not my job”, “let the next shift worry about it”, “that’s the way it’s always been done”, and others are common. At one time, America had the greatest workforce on the planet. Do you still think that is the case?
- “Good enough” is the mantra of mediocrity. We have lowered the bar so low that “good enough” requires very little effort on our parts. Standardized tests that high school seniors are required to pass in order to graduate from high school are a joke. Our children are falling behind the rest of the world in science, technology and math because their work is “good enough” to graduate, but not good enough to excel at the world class level. Who do you think that they got their “good enough” work ethic from? Apples don’t fall far from the tree.
My 50/50 rule
My hobby is building custom cabinets and furniture. Very nice, well crafted and highly valued pieces. I use mortise and tenon and dovetail joints to join my pieces together. The pieces will be together when my grandchildren are able to use them.
From the time that I create my design, until I have finished the building stage, will consume about 50% of my time. All that remains is applying the finish. In order to have a finish that equals the degree of craftsmanship that I dedicated to the building phase will require me to invest an equivalent amount of time in the finishing phase of the project.
In other words, I can build a great piece of furniture and then spend very little time preparing the piece for finishing and then rushing through the application of the finish, which will result in a very average looking piece of furniture. This is not what I want for my descendents. I want something that will last and be beautiful for many generations. “Good enough” is not an option.
“Good enough” will not lead to greatness
I think that we have a responsibility to show our children what greatness is. From our attitudes to our work ethic. If we expect this country to remain a strong, world leader, then it is up to us to lead the way. Embrace the greatness within you. Do everything as if your children are watching, because they are. If “good enough” is good enough for you, then it will be good enough for them.
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Great article reflecting the down fall of the American craftsman. Today’s society is becoming a “throw away” one. While I understand the economics of throwing away a $0.10 microprocessor board, we seem to be taking the same approach to everything. From fine furniture to high quality machined equipment the approach is to buy cheap, use it a short while, and buy cheap again.
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This is so true. People that try to excel and be great at their job are looked at as not being a team player since today’s society wants everything handed to them in a silver platter.
Just my 2 cents
Your are so right. If you do what you are capable of doing, which is far more than some people are interested in doing, then you are labeled a suckup or a bootlicker and outcast from the herd of mediocrity. However, this is not a bad thing. Part of the journey to your greatness inovolves your decision to disregard the insignificant opinions of others so that you can be what you can be. Good luck on your expedition to your true potential.
The sad part is when management falls into this category of mediocrity and also looks at you as not a team player. However, you’re the one that has been carrying and covering their butts for awhile.
It is indeed sad when mgmt falls into mediocrity, because no group can or will ever rise above its leadership. Maintain high expectations from yourself and do not allow yourself to be sucked into the petty bickerings that that defines the status quo.