Good enough is great
Whether we’re talking about our financial or personal lives, it’s so easy to allow life’s complexity to prevent us from moving forward. The popular phrase “don’t let perfect be the enemy of good” comes to mind here.
However, the real question becomes: how do we put it into practice?
“Good enough” decisions are small actions that make a big impact.
For example, say you have a collection of old retirement accounts. You know you eventually need to consolidate them but the process and steps involved feel overwhelming at the moment.
A small action that would have a big impact in the meantime is making sure your investments within those retirement accounts are aligned with your overall financial goals. Rather than putting off reallocating until you eventually find the time and will power to consolidate your accounts, you could spend five minutes online making sure they are invested in alignment with your financial planning.
Small action, big impact.
Another example could be increasing your personal, college, and retirement savings.
Sure, it would require more time to figure out exactly how much you might need to increase each account for your specific goals, but don’t let that get in your way right now. The small action that would create a big impact is increasing those amounts in the first place. You can always adjust and dial in the exact amounts in the future.
One area in your personal life where this small action, big impact approach can be particularly helpful is when you find yourself in a rut.
Feeling crummy? Try taking a shower.
Feeling lazy? Take a quick walk around the block.
Feeling stuck? Tell a trusted friend or partner and get their perspective.
Next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by a decision or just in a negative headspace, remember that “good enough” is great – and usually accessible by a small action that can make a big difference.