When “Good Enough” is Perfect
By Sophie Makonnen
High Standards or perfection ?
Have you ever stayed up late reworking something—an email, a report, or a presentation—wondering if that extra effort improves the outcome or if you're trying to soothe your anxiety?
We often associate high performance with excellence in everything we do. But perfectionism can quietly drain our time, energy, and joy—not just from work but from life as a whole. When we constantly push ourselves to excel in every area, the pressure can leave us overwhelmed and exhausted. Could aiming for "good enough" in some areas or circumstances, be a healthier and more balanced choice?
When perfection is a family affair
As the daughter of a surgeon and a nurse, I grew up in an environment where precision and excellence weren't just valued—they were essential. In their professional world, there was no room for error—and for good reason: it was about people's health. That mindset permeated everything I did, shaping my approach to school, work, and even small daily tasks. It followed me in my adult life. My mother often repeated, “Tout ce qui vaut la peine d'être fait vaut la peine d'être bien fait”—“Anything worth doing is worth doing well.” That phrase became a constant refrain, driving me to strive for perfection in everything. The first time I heard someone say that a task was only worthy of a B+ effort, I was put off. I was listening to a podcast—though I can't remember which one—but I remember exactly where I was standing: in Montreal, just about to walk into a building for a medical appointment. That moment has stayed with me, and the idea of a "good enough effort" has nagged me ever since. The thought that some tasks don't improve in value by pushing them from a B+ to an A+ felt almost absurd at first. Even writing this—admitting that sometimes "good enough" is okay—feels somewhat uncomfortable and awkward! I'm a recovering perfectionist 😊!
High standards have always been a core part of my personal and professional identity. But over time, I've realized that I had conflated high standards with perfectionism, which is different. That distinction didn't come easily or quickly—it took time, mistakes, and moments of feeling stretched too thin to see the difference.
As a professional woman, a mother, and a daughter, I had a lot on my plate. Many were counting on me. Everything felt important—until it became urgent. That's when I realized I couldn't add hours to the day. If possible, I would have tried... believe me (smile)! As a result, I understood that some things wouldn't get done, and I had to be pragmatic about where and how to focus my energy. Without lowering my standards, I realized it was okay if not everything in my life was perfect. Some things would be "good enough," others wouldn't happen, and some, requiring no compromise, would need to be done as planned and held to high standards. I learned to shift my focus and energy based on the demands of each situation.
Of course, there are situations where perfection is non-negotiable—such as surgeons performing life-saving operations, the teams responsible for ensuring airplane safety, or athletes competing for an Olympic medal. In these moments, anything less than excellence and perfection is not an option.
But in daily life, we're not always facing high-stakes situations. Instead, we're navigating the ongoing challenge of balancing work, personal responsibilities, and long-term goals. In my opinion, the key lies in knowing when to aim for excellence and when "very good" is not only sufficient but the better choice.
Perfectionism : When you're All Caught Up
Perfectionists often believe that falling short is unacceptable. But this constant striving, research shows, isn’t sustainable—it can lead to burnout and diminished well-being.
Some people are comfortable being exceptional in one thing and average in others. But for perfectionists, falling short in any area feels unacceptable, leading to a relentless pursuit of excellence in everything—often at the cost of their well-being.
British psychologist Thomas Curran, author of The Perfection Trap, describes perfectionism as an epidemic fueled by unrealistic expectations. Similarly, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen explains in How to Be Enough that perfectionists often tie their self-worth to their achievements—a cycle that can be exhausting. She also talks about an epidemic, although this is not a medical diagnosis given by the author of this book or this blog.
Having high standards is not what is being questioned here. That is most likely why we succeeded and made it this far. Dr. Angela Duckworth, known for her work on grit in her book GRIT: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, calls this determination conscientiousness—the personality trait that drives commitment, consistency, and carefulness—and this can be a strength. Dr. Angela Duckworth has noted that conscientiousness predicts success. This is because perfectionism, as described by these authors, is not about striving to be perfect; it is about a constant sense of falling short, as Dr. Hendriksen writes in the presentation of her book.
Recognizing the perfectionism trap is the first step, but breaking free requires understanding when good enough is actually better.
When "Good Enough" Can Be Enough…
Does draft #10 draft add value, or is it just reducing your anxiety rather than improving the outcome?
What would happen if you let yourself stop at 'good enough' sometimes? Could you save that time and energy for things that really matter and need your full attention?
Think of it this way: Pick your priorities. Not every task needs your A+ effort—knowing where to draw the line is a form of strategic thinking. When you stop overworking a task that does not require perfection, you free yourself to give your full attention to the projects, decisions, and moments that truly matter. It isn't about settling for less—it's about reserving your best energy for the things that will have the greatest impact. By accepting 'good enough' where it applies, we avoid overinvesting time in tasks that don't add real value—and instead, direct our best efforts where they matter most.
It happens everywhere
Development projects encompass a wide range of activities and efforts, including improving livelihoods, promoting education, advancing health outcomes, driving environmental sustainability, and delivering critical infrastructure (such as transportation, energy, water systems, etc.). Striving for results in large-scale, high-impact initiatives is central to working in global development settings. The commonality is that all activities or projects are entirely focused on improving quality of life. It’s the reason we do this work, and it’s why the stakes are so high. We worry that critical activities won’t roll out as expected, and we’re constantly reminded of the need to demonstrate value for money in the activities we oversee. With so many opportunities for mistakes or setbacks, this creates a pressure-filled environment that often fuels perfectionism and overwork.
For example :
• Developing the “perfect” monitoring and evaluation framework
There is often immense pressure to design comprehensive systems to track and report progress, ensuring every aspect of the project is measured and documented. However, over-focusing on perfection can diminish returns, wasting time and resources on unnecessary refinements.
• Making critical decisions in resource-constrained, bureaucratic environments
Limited time, funding, and complex organizational processes can challenge decision-making. This can be frustrating when one tries to be efficient and get things moving, especially when progress depends on navigating layers of approval and competing priorities. The key is making the best possible decisions with available resources and accepting that perfection is rarely achievable. Instead of overanalyzing or waiting for ideal conditions, progress can be made by prioritizing practical, timely solutions that keep the project on track.
• Knowing when to push and when to compromise in advocacy efforts
Advocacy work demands a balance between ambition and realism. Not every goal will be fully achieved, and knowing when to push harder and when to compromise is critical to driving long-term, meaningful change.
Actionable Steps: Balancing High Standards with Flexibility
Practice Safe Risks: Identify low-stakes areas where mistakes are okay—such as a brainstorming session or a draft email—so you can gradually build resilience to imperfection.
Reframe Failure: View errors as feedback instead of evidence of inadequacy.
Catch "Perfection Loops": Notice when you're endlessly tweaking something and ask yourself: Is this still about improvement, or just calming my nerves?
Celebrate Progress: Learn to appreciate a "good enough" effort when it achieves the goal without draining you of energy.
Strategically deciding where to focus your energy and identifying which issues will have the most significant impact—or are the most achievable given the context—can help you and your team avoid spreading efforts too thin. This approach not only alleviates unnecessary stress but also enhances overall effectiveness and success.
Striving for excellence doesn't mean mistakes won't happen—they're part of the process. And yes, we should aim for clean and nearly flawless results using technical solutions like checklists in specific fields, such as aviation, where pilots rely on them to ensure critical safety steps are completed. It also doesn't mean settling for mediocrity. The key is knowing where to put your best energy and where to give yourself some flexibility. Sometimes, aiming for "good enough" creates the space to succeed where it matters most—because spending less time perfecting the small stuff allows you to focus on the projects, decisions, and opportunities that truly make a difference. True excellence isn't about avoiding mistakes—it's about learning from them, adapting, and moving forward with a bit more wisdom each time.
I did it—I launched my blog Career Insights! And yes, it’s not perfect. If I’d waited for perfection, I’d still be stuck on draft #58 of the first blog, wondering if it’s good enough….😉