‘Everyday’ Intelligence: In Pursuit of //Happiness// Perfection

In Pursuit of Happiness Perfection

If you are wondering why I have struck through the above, then you probably don’t know me all too well (and, no, I have not done it so that I don’t infringe copyright, don’t be silly).

I don’t want to go all Dalai Lama on you but I’m all for the strive to perfection and firmly believe that the path to improvement is the only one leading to true happiness.

Today’s post will focus on this abomination of ‘modern- age thinking’,

‘Good enough is better than perfection’, Lucy Kellaway, Financial Times, 09/09/2012, < http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/faa9c9f0-f83d-11e1-bec8-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2BizmtIEp >

Normally, I don't pay any attention to what others have to say not because I don't care (well, mostly, I don't, really) but because I am quite tolerant about other people's perception of the world.

But that article really did get under my skin.

To sum up, what Ms Kellaway is saying that, in today’s world, only ‘batty’ and ‘mad’ people seek perfection and it is quite sufficient to be ‘good enough’. She refers to a sushi- chef called Jiro; a man who has devoted his whole life to honing his skills and delivering the best sushi to his customers.

He said that that was his life. He said that that was his dream. He said that that made him happy.

And this is what she said (in bold):

1) Being ‘good enough’ is sufficient

‘Good enough’ is subjective- you can be good enough for some but not nearly good enough for others. Consider Ms Kellaway’s own sushi example: the sushi in her local supermarket was not ‘good enough’ for her because she had previously tried the best sushi there was- Mr Jiro’s. No sushi will probably be good enough for her. Ever.

2) Pursuing perfection is for ‘mad’ and ‘batty’ people

Being the best at what you do gives you the confidence and the boost that you need to start your day at work with a smile which makes it ever so worthwhile (rhyme win, cha- ching!). Put simply, it makes you happy and proud of what you do.

I mean, wouldn’t you rather be happy seven rather than two days a week?

3) GoodEnough School is a good name for a school

No, it most certainly is not, because it suggests that the school will only produce ‘good enough’ students.

‘Good enough’ students, consequently, go to what they see as ‘good enough’ universities.

Alas, employers nowadays only care about the ‘best universities’.

Because only ‘the best’ candidate is offered the position; those who are ‘good enough’ only reach the interview stage and only richer for the experience (yes, I went there.)

All in all, being ‘good enough’ will never be enough.

Please, don’t be like the rest; be the best.