Good Enough Just Isn’t Good Enough

There are always grander challenges to confront.

Photo by Julia M Cameron from Pexels

The Secondhand Inspiration Project begins with a motivational quote and ventures wherever the creative path meanders.

“There are always new, grander challenges to confront, and a true winner will embrace each one.” — Mia Hamm

I’m obsessed with taking on new challenges. No sooner have I accomplished one objective than I’m scheming on how to tackle the next one.

I’m a steadfast believer that when I take on new aspirations and tiptoe outside of my comfort zone, I radically improve myself, both professionally and personally.

But not everyone agrees with this approach.

Often I encounter consultants, colleagues, and creators who duck and hide from fresh challenges like they’re crazy exes at a party. Some of these people have amassed success — but they are also quite content. Happy with the status quo. At peace with just meeting expectations or being “good enough.”

These people view challenges as problems. And I get it. I understand why they are reluctant to take risks when things have gotten to a good place in their careers or lives.

But if you aren’t working toward conquering a different challenge, are you truly working?

Complacency can be a quiet assassin to a person’s ambition, creativity, energy, and success. To avoid this, I’ve long maintained a growth mindset where I perpetually ask myself, “What’s next?” This prods me to constantly recalibrate my dreams and focus, never getting too comfy with the accolades of the past or the safety of the present.

My current situation may be great, but there’s always more greatness out there to chase.

If you don’t push yourself with new creative projects, concepts to learn, fitness goals, or career aspirations, your positive momentum becomes stagnant, and you do too. And that’s no good. We all know what happens to water when it stays stagnant too long — it starts to stink. So will you if you remain satisfied with staying in the same place.

With that good enough approach, you might make a decent living or garner some praise, but you will only briefly touch your potential — and you’ll never fully seize it.