Getting to Good Enough

Getting to Good Enough
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A podcast to help you let go of perfectionism so you can live life with more ease, less stress and a lot more laughter. Your hosts are: Janine Adams, a Certified Professional Organizer, who is naturally good at good enough and Shannon Wilkinson, a Life Coach and recovering perfectionist who is learning to be better at good enough. Together they share tips, techniques and stories from their organizing and coaching practices, as well as their own lives, to help you worry less about perfection and do more of what you love.

  1. 1D AGO

    Small Wins, Big Boost: How Celebrating Helps Us Keep Going

    When life feels tight or difficult, it’s easy to focus on what’s not going right. In this episode, we talk about how celebrating small wins—even the silly, ridiculous ones—can support motivation, build self-compassion, and help us practice progress over perfection. We share real-life examples (like Shannon’s surprise “lip balm shot” into the trash, a stress-free elevator ride, and surviving a truly unpleasant parking garage) and explore why non-zero effort matters. The more we notice what’s going right, the more we can create a little ease and momentum—especially when we’re not finishing everything all at once. What We Talk About00:38 — Why it helps to celebrate little things when life feels tight or difficult01:29 — Shannon’s “lip balm shot” into the trash—and celebrating it like a center-court basket02:46 — Celebrating the absence of a problem: a non-stop elevator ride when a dog encounter could have been stressful03:40 — Noticing when things go as expected—and letting that count as a win05:30 — Small wins as a “buffer” that helps us handle obstacles without getting knocked down as far06:00 — The parking garage story: building in extra time to reduce stress, then celebrating “nothing bad happened”07:10 — When progress doesn’t “count” because we didn’t finish—remembering non-zero effort matters10:38 — The motivation myth: believing we have to be hard on ourselves to keep going11:53 — Anchoring feeling good to progress: celebrating small wins as a way to rewire the pattern16:22 — Holding two truths: celebrating small wins while still caring about what’s happening in the world Key TakeawaysSmall wins support progress over perfection: When things feel hard, noticing what did go right helps us step out of the “nothing is enough” mindset.Non-zero effort is real progress: If you took one step—even a small one—it counts, even if the whole thing isn’t finished yet.Self-compassion fuels motivation: Being hard on ourselves can make action harder. Celebrating success (even tiny success) makes it easier to keep going.Small wins create a buffer for tough moments: When we’re already a little “buoyed up,” setbacks don’t knock us down as far.Celebration isn’t silly—it’s practical: Cheering yourself on can help reinforce the habit of taking action and build momentum over time. The Bottom LineCelebrating small wins isn’t about pretending everything is...

    18 min

  2. FEB 12

    Keep Hobbies Fun – Even When Perfectionism Shows Up

    What if your hobbies could be the one place you don’t have to optimize, be productive, or “do it right”? In this episode, we talk about keeping hobbies fun—especially when perfectionism shows up and makes us hesitate to start, abandon a project, or turn enjoyment into pressure. We share real-life examples from knitting, bullet journaling, visible mending, watercolor and sketchbooks, and even reading. We also talk about how tracking and goals can quietly turn a relaxing hobby into a stressful one, and how lowering the stakes can help us get back to the point: doing something because it feels good. What We Talk About 02:46 - When hobbies get “too fiddly,” perfectionism can make us quit Janine finds abandoned knitting projects and talks about how frustration (and not wanting to back up and fix mistakes) can stop us from continuing.04:05 - A mistake doesn’t have to mean you’re done Janine shares a “rookie mistake” on her hat, then unknits and keeps going.04:38 - The fear of “ruining it” can keep us from starting Shannon talks about not wanting to mess up a sketchbook or watercolor journal with something that doesn’t feel good enough.07:40 - Bullet journaling: functional vs. Instagram-perfect We talk about how artistic bullet journal examples can intimidate people, even though the original method was meant to be quick and simple.09:10 - Visible mending: daunting to start, satisfying to finish We talk about the pressure to choose the “right” way to mend—and how gratifying it feels once we do it.15:33 - When reading becomes a numbers game Shannon shares how tracking books read started to create stress, especially during shoulder recovery.18:56 - Protecting hobbies from becoming work Janine shares why she said no to a knitting-related work opportunity so knitting could stay fun. Key Takeaways Perfectionism can sneak into the fun stuff: Even hobbies can start to feel like performance—especially when we think there’s a “right way” to do them.Lower stakes = easier starts: When something is private, practical, or “just for us,” it’s often easier to experiment and keep going.Functional can be beautiful: A bullet journal that works, a sweater that’s patched, a project that’s imperfect but used—these can be more satisfying than “perfect” things we never start.Tracking can turn joy into pressure: Goals and numbers can be motivating… until they make the hobby feel like a quota.Let hobbies stay hobbies: If turning something into work adds stress, it can cancel out the reason to do it in the first place. The Bottom Line Hobbies are allowed to be messy, imperfect, and purely for enjoyment.

    22 min

  3. FEB 5

    Multitasking vs. Single-Tasking: A Simple Way to Feel Less Scattered

    Multitasking sounds like a superpower, but most of the time it’s really task switching—jumping back and forth so fast we don’t notice the cost. In this episode, we talk about the difference between true multitasking and rapid switching, and why switching can make you less effective, less productive, and less present. We also share a few real-life examples (knitting while watching TV, exercising with an audiobook, checking email mid-writing) and a simple “Good Enough” experiment: using tiny waiting moments—like a login screen—as a cue to take a few breaths and come back to what you’re doing. What We Talk About01:28 — When multitasking can work: knitting while watching TV (and why writing postcards while watching is different).03:33 — A combo that often works: physical tasks (folding laundry, exercising) while listening to an audiobook (or podcast!).04:29 — Why switching tasks can make you less productive than single-tasking.05:47 — The “attention test”: if both tasks need brain power (like sorting and chatting), something gets missed.06:45 — Phone + conversation: noticing how it affects connection, and small ways to be more present with people.10:22 — The “lag reflex”: switching away during a short wait (like logging into a bank) and getting pulled into email or Facebook.11:08 — A simple strategy: practice staying with a few seconds of discomfort so you can finish the task.13:01 — Meditation explained in plain terms: not “no thoughts,” but returning to your focus.14:42 — Anchoring mindfulness to your desk chair: building calm where you actually work.15:44 — Shannon shares how ADHD can amplify distraction and unfinished tasks (especially off meds).17:13 — Reframing single-tasking as self-care: more calm, more “done,” and less stress. Key TakeawaysMost multitasking is really task switching: If you’re bouncing between email, a document, and social media, you’re not doing three things at once—you’re switching. And switching often makes everything take longer.Some pairings can be “good enough” multitasking: If one task is automatic or physical (like knitting, folding laundry, emptying the dishwasher, brushing your teeth), it may pair well with listening.If both tasks require attention, you’ll feel scattered: Sorting, writing, and meaningful conversations all need focus. Trying to stack them usually means you’re only half there.Use waiting moments as a mindfulness cue: Instead of opening Facebook during a 10-second pause, try three slow breaths or counting breaths...

    20 min

  4. JAN 29

    Staying Engaged Without Getting Consumed

    If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately, you’re not alone. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like when what’s happening in the world takes up more of our bandwidth than we realize—and how that can show up as low energy, stress, and doomscrolling. We remind ourselves that even when we’re not personally in immediate danger, it still takes real energy to be in the world right now. So we explore a good-enough approach: set kind-but-firm boundaries around news and social media, calm your nervous system first, and then choose one small action you can actually sustain. What We Talk About00:45 - Feeling overwhelmed and “maxed out,” and naming the nervous system impact01:10 - Remembering to factor in what’s happening in the world (on top of personal stressors)02:43 - How external stress compresses our capacity and bandwidth—even if we’re not directly threatened03:51 - The push-pull of wanting to stay informed without getting pulled into constant news consumption05:34 - Creating a container for the news: skim headlines, read one article, or set a 15-minute timer06:57 - Choosing your inputs on purpose: unfollowing/unfriending and skipping online arguments that won’t lead to real dialogue10:37 - Taking action to feel less helpless: donating, writing postcards, protesting, and focusing your energy where it can matter12:53 - Not letting perfectionism hijack activism: it’s not all-or-nothing, and “doing a little” still counts14:26 - Connection over consumption: reaching out to friends and checking in instead of scrolling16:23 - “Oxygen mask first”: calming your nervous system makes it easier to take meaningful action and help others Key TakeawaysExternal stress is real stress: Even if nothing in your personal life changed, what’s happening in the world can shrink your capacity.Set boundaries so you can stay informed (without spiraling): A small “container”—headlines only, one article, or a timer—helps you avoid doomscrolling.Curate your inputs like it’s self-care: Unfollowing, unfriending, and choosing what you engage with can protect your nervous system.Small actions beat perfectionism: Donating, writing postcards, protesting, or helping in your community doesn’t have to be perfect to matter.Calm first, then act: When you feel steadier, it’s easier to take meaningful action. The Bottom LineWhen everything feels like too much, it makes sense that your energy is lower and your brain wants to scroll, worry, or shut down. In this episode, we remind...

    19 min

  5. JAN 22

    What If You’re Not Behind? (Challenging the Urge to Rush)

    This week we’re getting real about that all-too-familiar feeling behind—whether it’s your to-do list, New Year’s intentions, or just life in general. We talk about what rushing actually looks like in our lives, why it rarely helps with time management, and how our culture’s obsession with busyness (and perfectionism) can make us feel like we’re never caught up. We share how we’re reframing what progress looks like, the thrill of finishing tasks, and how to choose a smoother, more self-compassionate pace (even when life feels hectic). Timestamped Highlights00:44: That creeping feeling behind—why it shows up so quickly 01:59: The power of finishing dreaded tasks (and a British-accented banker named Jaunty) 03:13: Carrying over tasks week to week—and the relief of clearing the decks 05:01: How finishing little tasks clears space for bigger goals 05:35: The magic of a “power hour” 06:19: The myth of being behind and the dangers of rushing 08:47: Unrealistic expectations and honoring your own pace 09:28: Letting our priorities (and word of the year!) guide our choices 13:11: Setting boundaries around work and personal time 15:13: Mornings, rushing, and the wisdom of “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” 17:10: How choosing your pace can change everything Key TakeawaysThe feeling behind is often a myth—there’s no universal timeline we should be on. Clearing small tasks can free up mental space for bigger goals and better time management. Rushing rarely saves time and often leads to mistakes or missing out on good things. Boundaries (like not working weekends) help us enjoy both work and rest. We get to choose our pace—let our values and priorities lead the way, with a little self-compassion. Bottom LineYou’re not actually behind—there’s no official schedule you have to follow. Let go of the rush and find a pace that works for you, right now. Let's ConnectDo you tend to feel behind? What helps you bring more ease and smoothness into your days? Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: gettingtogoodenough@gmail.com Want More Like This? (Related Episodes)Episode 41: Can It Be Too Easy? We talk about why letting things be easy sometimes feels so strange, and how giving ourselves permission to choose the easier path can actually help us move forward—especially when we’re feeling behind or overwhelmed. Episode 60: The Problem with Labels Oh, those labels we put on ourselves—like “behind” or “not enough”—and how those stories can keep us stuck. If you’re working on being kinder to yourself, you’ll find some encouragement and maybe a laugh or two. Episode 156: Feeling Good About Good Enough We get honest about how tough it can be to stop...

    20 min

  6. JAN 15

    Choose: A Word of the Year for Easier Decision-Making

    Happy New Year! If decision-making tends to turn into overthinking, you’re not alone. In this episode, we share a good-enough approach to easier decision-making—plus the maximizer vs. satisficer mindset and our “rule of three.” Shannon shares her word of the year for 2026: choose—a reminder to make decisions on purpose instead of feeling swept along. We also dig into the difference between being a maximizer (always trying to make the best choice) and a satisficer (making a good enough choice and moving on), plus a few practical ways to stop the endless research spiral. Along the way, Janine shares a big decision she made on her personal retreat: retiring her blog Organize Your Family History—and the surprisingly overwhelming chain of choices that followed. What we talk about (with timestamps)01:25 Looking back at 2025 and asking: what do we want 2026 to look like?02:16 Word of the year as an anchor (and why “survive” doesn’t feel great)03:06 Shannon’s word for 2026: choose (making decisions on purpose)04:33 Maximizer vs. satisficer: why decision-making can feel so hard06:43 Too many options = no decision (hello, Amazon overwhelm)09:52 Janine’s personal retreat + deciding to retire Organize Your Family History11:52 Writing it down + talking it through (pros/cons, getting support)12:40 The “rule of three”: choose up to three criteria (and/or options) and stop researching16:28 “Just in case” thinking: flexibility vs. clutter (and the hidden cost of keeping things)20:35 Making “for now” decisions with a time frame so you can stop thinking about it Key takeawaysChoosing on purpose can feel energizing. It’s a way to be more active in your life instead of always reacting.Maximizers often get stuck. If you’re trying to find the “best” option, decision-making can become exhausting (and sometimes you don’t decide at all).Satisficing is very “good enough.” Pick a few criteria that matter, choose something that meets them, and move on.Try the rule of three. Limit yourself to three criteria and/or three options to reduce overwhelm.Open loops cost energy. Not deciding can keep a decision quietly draining your attention.A time-bound decision can create flexibility without constant rethinking. Decide “for now,” set a revisit date, and let your brain rest. Try this (a small, good-enough action)The next time you’re stuck in a decision spiral (especially for something low-consequence): Write down up to three criteria that actually matter.Look at up to three options.Choose the first option that meets your criteria—and stop researching. Want More Like This?Episode 102: The Good Enough Decision We talk about why decision-making can feel extra hard for perfectionists, and how the maximizer vs. satisficer mindset shows up in real life. If you liked our conversation about choosing “for now” and saving your energy for what matters, this one is a great companion.Episode 103: Dealing with Imperfectionists An exploration about what happens when a maximizer and a...

    25 min

  7. JAN 8

    Meal Planning Isn’t the Problem—Decision Fatigue Is

    It’s the end of the day, you’re tired and hungry, and you’re standing in front of the refrigerator hoping it will offer a suggestion...again. In this episode, we talk about why dinner can feel so complicated (even when food is readily available) and how a little “good enough” planning can make weeknights calmer. Meal planning isn’t just about food—it’s about reducing decision fatigue at the exact moment you have the least energy. We share simple, realistic ways to make dinner easier, including curating recipe lists, theme nights, planned takeout, freezer meals, and low-effort fallback dinners. What We Talk About 03:00 The “stare into the fridge and hope something occurs to us” problem04:20 Why being hungry is the worst time to decide what’s for dinner05:38 Shannon’s Trello-based meal planning system08:20 Theme nights (Taco Tuesday and beyond) to reduce decision fatigue09:19 Planned takeout night = guilt-free and actually enjoyable10:31 Freezer meals (hello, chili) for low-energy seasons16:59 The power of a super-easy fallback dinner19:05 Let go of “shoulds” and feed yourself (and your household) in a way that works Key Takeaways Decision fatigue is real. Dinner gets harder when you’re tired and hungry—so the goal is fewer decisions at the end of the day.Curate your options. Whether it’s a Trello recipe board or a white board of go-to meals, narrowing choices makes planning easier.Theme nights reduce stress. A theme gives you a lane (not a strict rule) and makes “What’s for dinner?” easier to answer.Plan takeout on purpose. Planned takeout can be relaxing and guilt-free; panic takeout is usually stressful and expensive.Have a fallback. Scrambled eggs, breakfast for dinner, or a snack-plate style meal can keep you fed when plans fall apart.Let it be “good enough.” You don’t need perfect dinners—just food that works for you. Try This: Pick one small change for next week: Choose one theme night (like Taco-ish, Pasta-ish, Soup-ish, or Takeout Night).Pick one fallback dinner you can make when you’re low on energy. Trello | Capture, organize, and tackle your to-dos from anywhereSouper Cubes® - Silicone Food Freezer Trays & Kitchen...

    24 min

  8. JAN 1

    Four Productivity Blocks That Lead to Procrastination (and How to Take Action Anyway)

    We kick this episode off with a very real-life moment: Janine opened the refrigerator right before recording and realized it was past time for the dreaded clean-out… again. (You know the one—mystery containers, missing storage bowls, and the hope that nothing has started to smell.) That prompts a conversation about procrastination—why we do it, what’s actually happening underneath it, and how we can move through it with more compassion and way less drama. We also share one universal strategy that helps no matter what: figure out what feels bad about the task… and then counteract that. Time-Stamped Highlights00:54 The refrigerator clean-out avoidance (and why we wait until it smells). “You wait until the pain of opening the refrigerator is greater than the perceived pain of cleaning it out.” 02:07 To clarify: we’re not “above” procrastination—we’ve procrastinated in every possible way 03:12 Janine’s procrastination trigger: fear of something being unpleasant (phone calls, hold music, hoops) 06:39 The core strategy: identify the bad feeling and counteract it 07:50 The 4 productivity blocks that lead to procrastination: enjoyment, reward, distractibility, confidence 08:33 Why you tend to procrastinate for the same reason most of the time (but it can vary) 16:09 Shannon’s procrastination tends to be distractibility + lack of confidence. She shares her late adulthood ADHD diagnosis and how it changed things for her 17:45 Bottom line: you procrastinate to avoid feeling bad—and choose to do something that feels better instead What We Talk AboutWhy we wait until a task becomes unbearable (hello, refrigerator)How procrastination is often our brain trying to dodge an unpleasant feeling (not laziness)The four productivity blocks that lead to procrastination: Enjoyment, Reward, Distractibility, ConfidenceWhy we tend to procrastinate for the same reason most of the time (even though tasks can vary)Why celebrating small wins can build momentumHow ADHD and distractibility can show up as trying to “set the scene perfectly” before starting FAQ: Procrastination + the 4 Productivity BlocksWhat are the 4 productivity blocks that cause procrastination?There is a formula to productivity and procrastination. In this episode we talk about the four “productivity blocks” that tend to contribute to procrastination: Enjoyment: You expect the task to be unpleasant (or boring), so you avoid it.Reward: There’s not enough payoff to get you started.Distractibility: Your attention keeps getting pulled to other tasks, thoughts, or inputs.Confidence: You’re not sure how to do the task, or you don’t feel confident you can do it well. While there are specific strategies for each block (take the quiz at shannonwilkinson.com to learn them), there's a big universal move: identify the bad feeling you’re avoiding—and counteract it (even just enough to start). How do I stop...

    20 min
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A podcast to help you let go of perfectionism so you can live life with more ease, less stress and a lot more laughter. Your hosts are: Janine Adams, a Certified Professional Organizer, who is naturally good at good enough and Shannon Wilkinson, a Life Coach and recovering perfectionist who is learning to be better at good enough. Together they share tips, techniques and stories from their organizing and coaching practices, as well as their own lives, to help you worry less about perfection and do more of what you love.

Information

  • Creator
    Getting to Good Enough
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    283
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2018-2025 Getting to Good Enough
  • Show Website
    Getting to Good Enough