Episode 292
What Is Enough? A Different Way to Decide
You sit down to send a quick email—and somehow 15 minutes later, you’re still tweaking it.
If you’ve ever wondered why some things feel weirdly hard to finish, this episode gets at the heart of it. Shannon and Janine explore what “enough” actually means—and why it’s not about doing less, but about aligning your effort with what’s important to you.
Because when you’re clear on what matters (whether that’s accuracy, connection, or just getting something done), it gets a whole lot easier to stop overworking things that don’t need it—and move on without that nagging feeling that you should keep going.
What We Talk About
01:12 — The question at the center of it all: what actually counts as enough?
01:51 — Letting what’s important to you—not habit or perfectionism—set the bar
02:15 — The email example: when it’s worth polishing… and when “what’s for dinner?” is plenty
03:20 — A simple definition of perfectionism: spending more time on something than it deserves
04:24 — The quiet (and kind of delightful) shift of saying “good enough” and moving on
05:30 — Catching yourself overdoing it—like with show notes—and choosing to stop
06:31 — Why getting in touch with what matters gets easier—and more useful—over time
07:08 — When “enough” just means done (and that’s just right)
16:09 — A favorite example: choosing your relationship with family over a perfectly cleaned pan
Key Takeaways
- Perfectionism often shows up as spending more time on something than it actually deserves
- “Enough” isn’t arbitrary—it’s grounded in what matters to you
- When you know what’s important, decisions get simpler and faster
- Sometimes enough is simply finishing the thing so you can move on
- Letting go of control can feel uncomfortable—and also surprisingly freeing
- You can spend the same amount of time perfecting one thing or doing a good-enough version of the whole
The Bottom Line
“Enough” isn’t about lowering your standards—it’s about choosing them on purpose. When your values are setting the bar, instead of an unachievable idea of perfectionism, things tend to get a little easier (and a lot less exhausting).
And the bonus? You don’t just get more done—you get more of what actually matters. You’re not just saving time—you’re redirecting it toward the things that make your life feel better.
Small action: The next time you catch yourself overworking something, pause and ask: What’s important here? Then let that answer—not perfectionism—decide when you’re done.
Want More Like This?
A foundational GTGE episode for a reason. If this conversation clicked for you, this is a great next listen on getting clear about what really matters to you—and using that as your guide.
What does it look like to feel satisfied with something that isn’t perfect? This episode explores how noticing and allowing satisfaction can shift your whole relationship with “good enough”—without making you complacent.
Episode 75: Letting Go of Fear
A look at how fear quietly fuels perfectionism—and some practical ways to question it so you can move forward without getting stuck or overthinking everything.
Connect With Us
If this episode resonated, we’d love to hear from you.
- Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)
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- Email: gettingtogoodenough@gmail.com
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