That’s fine when you’re making small decisions, like picking which toothbrush to buy.

As a lifestyle choice, it’s rubbish that keeps you from being great.

Over at The Atlantic last week, they posited thatsettling makes people happier and more satisfiedwith life in general.

But taken too far, the idea holds you back.

And you buy that laptop.

Is it going to be the perfect laptop for you?

Is it going to be a good enough laptop for you?

Just go to the restaurant he tells you to go to.

I think this is a great way to reduce the clutter and the paralysis that afflicts people.

Just ask for advice and follow it.

In short, satisficers can only benefit when they have maximizer friends.

But if you do this for everything, you’ll never do the things you want to do.

Let’s take, for example, something simple like a vacation.

You’ve always wanted to go skiing in the Swiss Alps.

But you know what?

Salt Lake City is good enough for skiing, so you’ll just do that again this year.

And the year after that.

Eventually, you’re too old to ski and you never did that one thing you wanted to do.

You regret it, but there’s nothing to do about it now.

It’s hard to be fulfilled when you approach everything as “good enough”.

Young breaks down perfectionism to different types: good and bad, or short-term and long-term.

Short-term perfection is when you’re obsessed with a small project that doesn’t necessitate it.

However, in long-term projects, perfectionism is crucial.

You’ll always settle for something that’s acceptable, but not great, and you won’t improve.

Let’s say you’re a programmer.

That’s fine for getting something out the door and into the hands of consumers.

“Good enough” is great for limiting your choices, but don’t let it limit your potential.

It’s about balance.

Schwartz, and others, typically argue that “good enough is almost always good enough.”

I’d say “good enough issometimesgood enough.”

Chances are, you’re an expert at something.

If you love something, “good enough” is never good enough.

And that’s okay.

Pick your battles wisely.

Picking out a toothbrush?Limit your choices and move on.

Picking out a new set of tools for your pet project?

Take the time to find what’s going to work best for you.

Photos bynemo,Trekking Rinjani,woodleywonderworks, andtheilr.