Last year, during an employee review, I did something unexpected: I challenged them to stop focusing on perfection and high performance. Instead, I asked them to embrace the idea that sometimes, good is good enough.

It wasn’t a critique of their work—quite the opposite. They were a high performer, always going over and above, always pushing for the next level. But I could see how that drive was taking a toll on them, both professionally and personally. And truthfully, I recognized a bit of myself in their struggle.

As a high performer myself, I decided to take my own advice this past year. I gave myself the challenge to embrace good enough. Let me tell you—it’s not as easy as it sounds. High performers tend to set impossibly high standards, and we are often our own worst critics. Leadership only amplifies that pressure because, let’s face it, there’s rarely anyone above us to say, “Hey, you’re doing great.”

Instead, we become the arbiters of our own success, and we can be relentless. You achieve one goal, and instead of pausing to celebrate, you’re already moving to the next thing. It’s exhausting. You start to feel like nothing you do is good enough—when in reality, everything you do is often more than enough.

What’s the cost of that relentless pursuit? Personal life takes a backseat. Self-esteem takes a hit. The bar is always moving, always higher. It’s a treadmill that never stops, and let me tell you, it’s no way to live.

So, this year, I tried to listen to my own advice: to stop striving for perfection and instead allow myself to say, “This is good enough.” It wasn’t perfect, but I leaned into it. And I learned a few things along the way:

1. Perfection is Overrated: The world doesn’t collapse when you stop giving 110% every single time. Good work is still good work—and often, no one but you notices the difference between good and perfect.
2. Rest is Productive: High performers often struggle with rest, equating it with laziness. But rest is the fuel for creativity, energy, and long-term performance. Letting yourself rest is part of being your best.
3. You Are Enough: This was the hardest lesson. As someone who ties a lot of self-worth to achievement, I had to remind myself daily that I am enough, even if I’m not checking every box on my to-do list.

Did I master the art of good enough this year? Nope. There were plenty of moments where I slipped back into old habits, where perfectionism and overwork reared their ugly heads. But I’m giving myself grace and continuing this challenge into next year.

If you’re a high performer or a perfectionist, I want to extend the same challenge to you. Give yourself a break. You’re good. You are enough. And sometimes, good is more than good enough.

Let’s step into next year with a little more grace for ourselves. Who’s with me?