The other day, I heard the phrase “Good Enough” used in a way that was new to me. At first, I resisted; it clashed with my usual mindset of always bringing my best. But when I sat with it, I realized “Good Enough” and “bringing your best” can be two sides of the same coin. The real question is: where, and how, are we applying this to our lives?
Over a long period of time, “good enough” can become truly great. Consistency—not perfection—is what moves the needle forward. Without realizing it, I’d been following this mindset in my own training, calling it “bringing my best for the day.”
When I first started training, I was all about pushing to the limit—going 100 miles per hour all the time. My nutrition followed the same path; I wanted everything to be perfect, every day. Those were valuable times that taught me two big lessons:
1. How to commit fully to something.
2. That 100% effort every day isn’t sustainable, but the discipline I learned is.
As my goals have shifted, so has my mindset. Now, I’m not focused on being the top athlete in the gym, town, or region. I’m not chasing a leaderboard or some imaginary competition that I’m always losing. My goal for my fitness now is simple: to feel good today and to be able to work out tomorrow, so I can do awesome things the day after.
What does that look like? It varies. Some days feel great, but most days I’m busy, tired, or just not at 100%. On those days, what matters is that I show up—whatever that looks like—and get just 1% better, even if it’s just checking the box. Do that over time, and you build incredible health and fitness.
These days, I’m not looking to crush myself with every workout. I want to enjoy my workouts so that, afterward, I can go for a hike, try a new sport, be a good husband and future dad, stay strong, stay present, and enjoy life without limitations. Life is busy, and as a business owner, I’m constantly pulled in different directions. I use this “good enough” mindset even in business, dedicating time every day—my “Golden Hour,” a concept I learned from Chris Cooper—to push things forward, even if it’s just a small step.
Of course, “good enough” can be misused when it becomes an excuse not to act. If it’s used to justify something in the past, it’s an excuse: “Yesterday was good enough, so I’ll skip today.” Instead, try, “I’m not feeling it today, but I’ll give my best—and that’s good enough.”
So, “good enough” or “bringing your best” may look different day-to-day, but over time, it leads to something exceptional. It’s more effective than a stop-start approach to health and fitness.
Keep it simple, don’t beat yourself up. Not every day will be perfect. Most days will feel like a grind. But if you show up and do “good enough” each day, what you’ll build over time will be truly amazing.
