Can you tolerate doing something that is just good enough?

This has been a critical challenge for me this week as I launch a book that is just good enough.

My new book Caring Costs: Addressing the Cost of Caring in Healthcare is not polished and not fully referenced. It has been a real personal challenge to publish it and share it with you in a state of just good enough, almost in draft form.

I know I could not have done this before. Like many of you I have struggled with perfectionism.

However, I decided that the benefits to you now, is more important than me spending another 6 months finessing it, when I think it is needed right now.

I’m guessing you are like me too, often facing a tug-of-war between striving for perfection and accepting “good enough” in your daily roles.

Whether it’s ensuring clinical notes are accurate or completing a client’s treatment plan, we understand there are things that need to be done perfectly, such as writing down a client’s mobile number or email address—there’s no room for error there.

But in many other areas of our work, getting caught up in the pursuit of perfection can waste time, cause stress, and even hinder the quality of care we provide.

So, how do we decide when perfection is needed and when good enough is just that—good enough?

The Danger of Perfectionism

For some, the phrase “if it’s not perfect, it’s not good enough” becomes a mantra that influences every task.

While aiming for excellence can drive success, an overemphasis on perfectionism often leads to reductions in wellbeing.

Research shows that perfectionism can reduce productivity. In trying to make something flawless, we spend extra time refining work that was likely sufficient from the start. This eats into time better spent on other priorities, like engaging with clients or collaborating with the team.

Imagine trying to create the “perfect” treatment plan for a client, reviewing it over and over again. In doing so, you could lose time to meet other clients or overlook opportunities for innovative solutions.

The reality is, in many cases, aiming for somewhere between excellence and good enough, I am going to call this good enough plus.

Good enough plus is like a continuum of steps between good enough and perfect and for everything we do we can determine which step we are aiming for.

The “Good Enough Plus” Mentality

When we embrace the idea of good enough plus, we focus on delivering what is functional and meets the needs. It’s like a physiotherapist deciding to let go of their quest to write the perfect set of exercise instructions and instead focusing on whether the client understands and can follow the plan. We still provide quality care, but we stop fixating on unattainable perfection.

Recognising when good enough plus will suffice doesn’t mean lowering your standards; it means recognising that not every task is worth 100% of your effort 100% of the time. Think of it as an energy budget. You wouldn’t spend all your money on one thing and leave nothing for the essentials, so why do it with your time and energy?

Practical Steps: How to Know When to Aim for Perfect or Good Enough or Good Enough Plus

1. Identify the Task’s Purpose

   Ask yourself, “What’s the goal of this task?” If it’s critical to client safety or communication—such as double-checking medication dosages or confirming an email address—then accuracy is paramount. But if it’s internal paperwork or meeting notes, aiming for efficiency may serve you and your team better.

2. Gauge the Impact

   Will the outcome of the task significantly impact a client’s experience or your team’s performance? If not, good enough plus might be the best approach. Think of it like triaging tasks: focus on what will have the most impact first, and leave the less critical tasks for when you have time.

3. Set Boundaries

   If you find yourself tweaking work to perfection, set a time limit. For example, allow yourself 10 minutes to revise a report or plan. Once that time is up, move on. This prevents perfectionism from creeping into tasks that are already complete or sufficient.

4. Check Your Mindset

   Perfectionism can often stem from a fear of making mistakes or not measuring up. It’s essential to remind yourself that no one is expecting you to be flawless at all times. A good leader knows that trusting themselves—and their team—means letting go when things are good enough. Trust that good enough oe good enough plus is often exactly what’s needed.

5. Embrace Feedback

   Sometimes, getting feedback early in the process can help you avoid perfectionist tendencies. For instance, if you’re developing a client program, seeking a colleague’s input might reveal that your “good enough” is already exceeding expectations. Feedback can guide you towards more productive use of time and effort.

Final Thoughts

I’m hoping this week you can tolerate me publishing a book that is hopefully good enough or good enough plus. It is not perfect and nearly as polished as I would prefer.

The challenge is knowing where perfection is essential and where good enough or good enough plus is acceptable. It’s like balancing between a scalpel and a bandage: some tools require precision, while others just need to get the job done. Understanding the difference allows you to allocate your time and energy wisely, which ultimately benefits not only you but also your clients and your team.