Going From Good Enough to Great!

What did I do that was “good enough?”

This is an extremely important question, and one that needs to be addressed. This step provides the emotional self-esteem energy that you will need to move toward your goal and stay on target. There are surely some things that you partially achieved. If so, pat yourself on the back. Whenever you achieve partial success, tell yourself, “It’s not perfect, but it’s enough to keep me moving forward.” This neuro-linguistic/mindful language gives your brain a chemical boost — i.e., good energy — which prevents you from losing willpower, giving up, and sabotaging.

What goals did I not achieve?
Ask yourself the following: Did I overestimate the amount of time, energy, or experience it would take to achieve my goal? Was my goal realistic? Was the time frame realistic? Did I give myself enough support? If not, try breaking it down into smaller, easily achievable steps. A lack of success does not necessarily mean there’s something wrong with you. It could simply be that your goals were unachievable in the present moment. If so, let them go or readjust them. Tell yourself, “I will come back to them when I have more time, energy, support, or experience for this achievement.” Right now it’s critical to focus on a more realistic outcome. This will support your ability to achieve your goals now and help you build up the self-esteem needed to tackle those more difficult goals in the future.


Here is the real bit of wisdom: Don’t get bogged down by New Year’s resolutions. And if you do, reconsider the value you place on them. Goals are important, but so are the small but important changes you make on the way to achieving them. When we keep on the “good enough” path of attainment, success is just around the corner.

Here is some neuro-linguistic, mindful homework to help support yourself while you work toward your newer, more attainable goals.

Fill in the blanks for these two sentences:

“I will [insert attainable action] once a day for the next two weeks. This will help me to achieve my long term goal of [insert goal].

For Example:

“Rather than cookies, I will eat an apple every day for the next four weeks. This will help me achieve my long term goal of losing ten pounds in the next two months.”

Saying this mindful language before you go to sleep and once again when you awake in the morning will retrain your brain to think in a more positive way. Which will start you on the right path from “good enough” to “goal reached!”