Sean Reiser

A while back I worked with a startup named AST StockPlan. One of the highlights of working there was working with a chap named Dan Walter, a man who taught me one of the most important lessons I've learned in my adult life: "When everyone around you is going crazy, become more calm, that's the only way to get things done". A simple sounding thing, but, at least for me one of the most difficult things to achieve. It's something I've seen Dan achieve over and over. Nowadays, people often tell me that I seem to be more zen in chaotic situations which is an attitude I credit to Dan. Recently we reconnected via Linkedin and I've begun following his blog. Although there aren't many articles up there yet, I do find what he's written thought provoking and inspirational. Dan recently posted an entry "Good Enough, Isn't" which got me thinking "what does good really mean"?

Certainly, Dan's position in that article is that "good" is achieving what you set out to do in all things and not letting things stop you. Another thing that sounds simple but is a real difficult thing to attain. For me, a good deal of my "Good Enough" thinking was tied to creating unrealistic expectations for myself. In past years I would pick up projects only to abandon them when I couldn't achieve them in the time I had alloted. I'd move from picking up projects straight to executing them without thinking about the how and determining what would need to be put to the side for me to execute it.

Over the last few years I've been thinking about setting realistic expectations for myself. For me, a big part of always doing good is to realistically determine if this is something I can achieve. I'm a fan of saying that "all things are possible given unlimited time and resources". Often times in the excitement of an idea I remember the first part of that, but not the latter. One major change in my life is that I now analyze what's on my plate, before starting anything. If a project can't be done completely and fully within my expectations, I try to get others involved or I put it to the side, for today. I no longer work until I can't, move the goal posts and declare victory.

So, I define "Good" as only taking on what I can accomplish and doing that to the best of my ability. Being realistic in what I can accomplish and making time to make that happen. I have realized that doing less but doing it with all my heart is better then doing more poorly.