Have you ever found yourself stuck in the pursuit of perfection, missing out on opportunities along the way? This article explores the age-old wisdom that “the best is the enemy of good,” offering insights and practical advice on how to break free from the perfection trap and embrace progress over perfectionism.
I was recently working on some social media, content, and not being satisfied with the initial outcome, I spent hours trying to make it perfect. Eventually, after looking at the final outcome, I realized that I had spent hours on it adding very little value to the earlier content, which I now realized was good enough to go. This reminded me, how a few years back, someone mentioned to me that “Best is the Enemy of Good”, I was a bit perplexed then, thinking is it not the superlative form of good, when did it become it’s enemy? As it was intriguing I dug a little deeper into this amazingly wonderful quote, and I figured out the profound wisdom that it propounds. This quote has been there for centuries with us and little do we realize the importance of its practicality in our daily lives. This quote has been around for centuries, often attributed to Voltaire.
Historical Background of Best is the Enemy of Good
The origins of the phrase “Best is the Enemy of Good” lie in a French proverb, “Le mieux est l’ennemi du bien,” which translates to “The best is the enemy of the good.” This saying was popularized by the renowned French philosopher Voltaire in his works during the 18th century. Voltaire, known for his sharp wit and philosophical insights, used this phrase to convey the idea that insisting on perfection can often lead to stagnation and missed opportunities. He first mentioned this concept in his “Dictionnaire Philosophique” in 1764 and later in his moral poem “La Bégueule” in 1772. Voltaire’s use of this phrase underscores his belief in the importance of practicality and the dangers of perfectionism.
The Perfection Trap
We all have heard this husband store joke many a time, where a woman goes to the “Husband Store” to find a suitable husband. Here the lady discovers that men on each higher floor keep getting better and have better qualities in them. So to find a perfect guy, she passes up good options on lower floors, always thinking there might be something better on the next floor. When she finally reaches the top floor, she finds it empty with a sign: “This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please.” Well, I think it is largely true for all human beings.
Moral: Sometimes, in pursuit of the “best,” we miss out on perfectly good options right in front of us.
Good is indeed good enough
We’ve all been there. You enter a big clothes store to buy that one perfect dress for your special occasion, and you usually, find a very good outfit soon enough, but we all keep on checking the entire store, just to find that perfect piece of cloth. We are just hoping for it, we don’t even know what it is, what exactly can be the benchmark of perfection. Most of the time, we pick up the outfit we liked initially and realize that it was a good enough outfit and all the looking around was probably a waste of time.
Moral: sometimes, good is indeed good enough.
Time is the essence: Good Now vs. Perfect Later
Let me explain it further, recently, one of my friends was to present an idea to an investor, he wanted the pitch to be perfect as the opportunity was big, so he kept on improving his presentation, adding more and more information, seeking advice from one and all, trying to make it perfect. Unfortunately, he delayed sending his proposal in all this and lost the opportunity to someone who moved in faster than him. The other person may not have been better than him but he realized the importance of time in this matter.
“Don’t delay. The best is the enemy of the good,” said a war general who understood that a good plan executed swiftly is far superior to a perfect plan delayed. By the time the perfect plan is ready, the enemy might have already struck, leading to disastrous consequences. This principle is applicable not just in warfare but also in business, technology, and everyday life. Take the early versions of the iPhone, for example. They weren’t flawless, but they were innovative enough to dominate the market and set the standard for smartphones. Meanwhile, competitors who waited for perfection missed the critical opportunity to lead.
Moral: Good Now maybe better than Perfect Later
The Comparison Trap:
In a running race, if you constantly watch the other contestants, you may never win. Focusing solely on beating everyone else can make you neglect doing your best. It’s like the old joke: Two friends are camping when they see a bear. One starts putting on his running shoes. The other says, “You can’t outrun a bear!” The first replies, “I don’t need to outrun the bear. I just need to outrun you!” The point is, you don’t always need to be the absolute best. Sometimes, it’s more important to focus on your own progress rather than comparing yourself to others.
Moral: Concentrate on your own goals and avoid comparisons.
The Mindset Behind Perfectionism
Understanding why we fall into the perfection trap can help us overcome it. Here are some key psychological factors at play:
Fear of failure: Perfectionism often stems from a deep-seated fear of not meeting expectations.
Imposter syndrome: Feeling inadequate can drive us to overcompensate by striving for an unattainable level of perfection.
Procrastination: Sometimes, the pursuit of perfection is simply a way to avoid taking action or facing potential criticism.
Breaking Free from Perfectionism
Recognizing these mindset barriers is the first step in overcoming them. For me, it helped to reframe my thinking. Instead of seeing each task as a test of my worth, I began to view it as an opportunity for growth and learning. This shift in perspective allowed me to:
Reduce Pressure: By viewing tasks as learning experiences, I reduced the pressure to be perfect and allowed myself to make mistakes and grow from them.
Increase Resilience: I became more resilient in the face of challenges, understanding that setbacks were part of the journey rather than signs of failure.
Enhance Creativity: With less fear of failure, I felt freer to experiment and innovate, leading to more creative and effective solutions.
Good Enough is Not Mediocre
It is important to realize that embracing “good enough” doesn’t mean settling for mediocrity. It’s about finding a balance between quality and progress. Here’s how you can apply this principle:
Set Realistic Goals: Break large projects into smaller, achievable milestones. This approach not only makes tasks more manageable but also helps you maintain momentum as you accomplish each milestone.
Embrace Iteration: Release early versions of your work and improve based on feedback. This iterative process allows you to refine your work gradually and ensures that you are continuously moving forward rather than getting stuck in pursuit of perfection.
Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself and recognize that perfection isn’t a realistic standard. Accepting that everyone makes mistakes can help you to be more forgiving of your own imperfections and focus on continuous improvement instead.
Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and appreciate the steps you’ve taken, no matter how small. Celebrating progress reinforces positive behavior and motivates you to keep moving forward. It also helps you to see the value in incremental improvements rather than waiting for a perfect outcome.
By implementing these strategies, you can break free from the perfectionism mindset and achieve more with less stress. Remember, progress is more important than perfection, and “good enough” is often exactly what you need to succeed.
A Balanced Perspective
Sometimes aiming for “best” can actually be a hindrance. I is more important to find a middle ground, a balanced perspective of the whole situation. In the academic world, students often face immense pressure to achieve perfect grades. This relentless pursuit of excellence can lead to burnout, anxiety, and a diminished love for learning. Instead of aiming for the highest possible score on every assignment or test, students can benefit more from focusing on consistent, solid performance and genuine understanding of the material. For example, a student who aims for an A in every subject might spend excessive time on minor details, leading to stress and fatigue. On the other hand, a student who strives for a balance, aiming for good grades while also engaging in extracurricular activities and social life, can enjoy a more fulfilling and well-rounded educational experience.
Conclusion: Moving Forward
Embracing the idea that “best is the enemy of good” doesn’t mean settling for mediocrity. Instead, it’s about finding a balance between quality and progress. By letting go of perfectionism and focusing on consistent improvement, we can achieve more, learn faster, and ultimately lead more fulfilling lives. Remember, implementing a good solution without worrying about whether it’s the pinnacle of human achievement often leads to better outcomes in the long run.
In the end, the true “best” we can achieve is about making practical, timely improvements. It’s about keeping our eyes on the goal and making steady, meaningful progress. So next time you find yourself chasing perfection, remember: sometimes, good is good enough.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)?
Q.1.: Does “best is the enemy of good” mean we shouldn’t strive for excellence?
Not at all. It means balancing our pursuit of excellence with the need for progress and completion.
Q.2.: How can I tell if I’m being a perfectionist or just maintaining high standards?
If your high standards are preventing you from completing tasks or causing unnecessary stress, you might be veering into perfectionism.
Q.3.: Can applying “good enough” harm the quality of my work?
When applied thoughtfully, this principle can actually improve your overall output by allowing you to complete more work and learn from real-world feedback.
Q.4.: How can I convince my perfectionist colleagues that “best is the enemy of good”?
Share examples of successful projects that were “good enough” and how they led to further improvements. Encourage a culture of iteration and continuous improvement.
Q.5.: Are there situations where “best is the enemy of good” doesn’t apply?
In certain high-stakes situations, the pursuit of perfection is necessary. However, even in these fields, there’s often a balance between theoretical perfection and practical implementation.
