Good enough is GREAT — for now.

We are terribly stuck in the cost-of-living crisis, rising interest rates, potential debt problems, global warming, adapting to tech mania, children’s education, an outbreak of pandemics, poor health and care services, disengagement at work and burning out as an employee in the middle of a supply chain breakdown. Or simply not feeling good enough in most walks of life. It is insane. The list goes on and on. We even have nuclear threats on the agenda. I start to feel like a cog in the machine — a broken one. Something is not correct.

The coming Halloween will be enjoyable. All the company of Hell already threatens us, if any?

However, I am a human, not a machine, and I deserve a good life. How will I make it to 2023? Two months from now, I want to sit at the Christmas dinner with my family and loved ones, at least with hope. And I pray for saying, “it is good enough for now.”

Usually, good enough is not good enough; we want more!

However, good enough is GREAT — for now.

I am okay with the place I am stuck in. That place is where we are all right now.

Obviously, I do not have quick fixes for the majors in the upper list. (Pain is inevitable, but suffering is an option.)

But I have a mindset for creating a better life and work in the middle of this perfect storm — at least some relief (remember that good enough is GREAT — for now.)

It is a growth mindset.

I set smart and small goals and act every day.

I do not focus on the destination (outcome), but I do my best to enjoy the journey (process).

And I celebrate my (small) gains often.

And my sacred ingredient is I use “design thinking” as seasoning (skillset).

From Halloween to New Year’s Eve, there is enough time to reflect and design your journey into this perfect storm.

Here are a couple of tips.

1. Think like a designer

Design thinking involves certain simple mindsets. Thanks to Bill Burnet and Dave Evans as they outlined these in their bestseller book, “Designing Your Life” — a must-read for all who want to live a coherent life. Let me remind them:

Curiosity, bias to action, reframing, awareness and radical collaboration.

• Be curious. Curiosity is the reason some people see opportunities everywhere. It makes everything more energetic, and you may play with it in many ways.
• Try stuff. Designers always work on prototypes. They try and test things. They do not sit at a bench and overthink every detail. You may choose to go step by step and focus on the following outcome — not the final version: many falls, cries, broken pieces, and misdoings. However, always in the game, with action!
• Reframe problems. You may always change your perspective when you are stuck. Hell, yes, it is a talent to redefine a problem and open up new solution spaces. (Mostly impossible when you are sitting at a bench alone.)
• Know it is a process. At some point, we will all be screwed up. Things will get fucked up. Messy as hell. You may choose to believe this as a process, and letting go is an integral part of it. It may be necessary to stop thinking about the end goal and just focus on the next steps.
• Ask for help. We are not alone. Life is NOT a competition. It is normal to fuck up. Great design requires RADICAL collaboration. People need people — if you are not an introverted artist. Good people help other people and SHARE to grow. Great ideas will come from other people. JUST ASK.

2. Know where you are

I suggest noticing your place in life with the following four essential areas.

· Health

· Work

· Love

· Play

Rank each of them from one to ten. It will help you to notice your current place in each area that is affecting your state of mind. Beware! Work is not only the job for which you are paid. It is all the jobs you are involved in. Play is the place you find fun. You will be amazed when you notice your balance.

3. Set small goals

We believe when we are stuck in unhappy situations; we must make a BIG CHANGE. It is a dysfunctional belief. Let us reframe it. We may always move on if we set the bar low. The set-the-bar low method is based on some pretty sound psychological studies and behaviour change models that suggest that taking small, actionable steps is the best way to escape chasm.

Take out two pieces of paper and write down

a. Your work views.

b. Your life views.

Imagine where you want to see yourself in 2023. Both at work and in life. And write them on a piece of paper. It is your compass.

Then set some small goals to get there. Remember! SMALL.

4. Get things done

Prepare yourself to take action every day. Get the shit done! Just focus on one thing at a time. Do it and celebrate it. Remember, success is not the destination but the journey itself. Getting the shit done. Have fun doing it. Keep yourself moving.

5. Find an accountability partner

It is estimated that 90 per cent of New Year’s resolutions fail by the time we are three months into the new year. Only 8 per cent of people actually achieve their goals. Goal-achievers have one thing in common: They build a support system around them. Be it your spouse, partner, children, friend, or a coach, but have somebody you feel accountable to.

Remember, good enough is GREAT — for now.