Good, Better, Best

Here are two contrasting quotes:

“Good is the enemy of the great.” (Jim Collins)

“The perfect is the enemy of the good.” (Voltaire)

These quotes sound similar; in fact, they are often used interchangeably. However, they don’t mean the same thing.

Good is the enemy of the great. Often we settle for ‘good enough’. Sure we could do better, but we are too comfortable, complacent, and apathetic to make further effort. We accept our current condition. It’s not bad; so it must be good. It could definitely be worse. In fact, we know several people who are in much worse condition, so accepting what is good enough prevents us from pursuing greatness. 

The perfect is the enemy of the good. Seeking perfection often leads to discontentment. In our constant striving for advancement, we keep looking to those who are a few steps higher than we are. Once we reach a goal, we are already making plans for the next higher step. Perfectionists are never satisfied with themselves. Extremism and obsessiveness corrode peace.

There are a few areas in which I settle for good enough. There are other times that I strive for perfection. Yet, somewhere in between the two would be ideal.

Good, better, best. Cleaning my house once a month would be good. (It’s better than nothing.) Cleaning once a week would be better. Cleaning every day would be the best, but it would take time from other fruitful tasks. Walking a mile a day would be good. (It’s better than sitting all day). Running 2 miles a day would be better. Running a marathon would be great. (But then I would look at the ultra-marathoners and feel like I’m a slacker.) Texting a friend would be good. Writing a personal email would be better. Calling or going over for a visit would be best. (But it might also be intrusive.)

In my pursuit of growth, I don’t want to trespass boundaries or infringe on the rights of others. My goal is to be better tomorrow than I am today, but not to the point of losing peace or balance.