Sometimes it is OK to say, “Good Enough.” Alhough using that term is anathema in today’s culture, still there are times when “good enough” is, well, good enough. All vacations don’t have to be spectacular; a sports event does not need to be the best of the season, nor even the league. The best, the epitome, the pinnacle, need not be a constant goal, or standard. Sometimes, good enough has more staying power than exaggerated expressions of accomplishment.

Excellence, precision, and accuracy in performance or accomplishment do have their place. They should not be cheapened or managed shabbily. Yet numerous aspects of life need only benign or casual attention. As an example, your family spent the day with the grandparents. The kids played in the creek behind the barn; lunch under the old oak tree was sumptuous, and the trip home continued way past bedtime. So, you let the kids skip their bath tonight. It might be a less-than-perfect end to the day, but it is good enough.

Good enough~? Absolutely! This Puppy is Good Enough!

Many people live tightly wound lives, virtually overachiever lives — risking health, and often harming relationships. They may not think of themselves as overachievers, but their personality traits say otherwise. You may have overachiever tendencies — perfectionism and exacting standards, a relentless drive for success, difficulty with your life-work balance, fear of failure or inadequacy lurking beneath the surface, or, even more visible, you may tend to take on excessive responsibilities.

To focus on perfection or getting it right has its place in various endeavors: finance, engineering, and anywhere that facts and accuracy are essential. But in other human endeavors and relationships, precision, perfection, or persnickety people can create more problems than they solve. In such endeavors, good sense can offer the salve of “good enough.” In a little league game or a school play, good enough may mean your kid at least got to play or when playing golf with a friend, at least you enjoy the time outdoors together.

Are you too focused on getting the lawn border micro-shaped? Are the plants in the window box perfectly balanced? Do picture frames slightly skewed drive you nuts? Chill; sometimes good enough is, well, good enough. Yes, it is. Especially when your child or spouse wants or needs your attention. Balanced priorities exceed perfection. Sometimes “good enough” can improve your life.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2026