Getting to Good Enough

Getting to Good Enough
  • 4.7 (44)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

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. 2d ago

    Finding Freedom in Good Enough

    Is stopping because something is good enough the same thing as being lazy? Janine’s first answer to herself was basically yes—until she caught the name-calling. What if the additional time she was considering just wasn’t worth the extra effort? That opens up all kinds of questions: Why does “busy” sound like a badge of honor? Why can doing nothing all weekend feel like something you have to defend? And if time is finite in the same way money is, what are we choosing not to spend it on when we keep polishing something that doesn’t matter that much? Energy complicates the math even more. Some days you have more of it than others, and the same stopping point can feel completely different depending on what you say to yourself: “Ugh, I’m lazy” or “This is great. I can stop here.” Good enough starts to look less like taking the easy way out and more like something worth aspiring to. What We Talk About01:01 — When “I’m too lazy” might really mean “this isn’t worth more effort”03:11 — Celebrating stopping instead of criticizing yourself for it04:11 — Busy as a badge of honor and productivity as a measure of worth05:11 — The glorious appeal—and social weirdness—of doing nothing all weekend07:06 — Good enough as something aspirational, not lazy08:45 — Deciding consciously whether something really needs more10:33 — Spending time like money—and adding finite energy to the equation14:00 — Catching the name-calling and letting energy help determine what’s reasonable Key TakeawaysSometimes stopping at good enough simply means recognizing that more effort wouldn’t add enough value to be worth it.Consciously noticing that you chose to stop can turn good enough from a shrug into something that actually feels good.Time and energy are finite. Spending more of either on one thing means having less available for something else.Energy isn’t constant, so what feels reasonable to expect of yourself can change from one day to another.The stopping point can be exactly the same while the emotional experience is completely different: “I’m lazy” feels nothing like “This is great. I can stop here.” The Bottom LineThere may be nothing lazy about deciding something has had enough of your time. The useful question is whether more effort would actually matter, given what else deserves your time and the energy you have available. And maybe the particularly good part is noticing the choice when you make it: same stopping point, but “good job, Janine” feels very different from “lazy ass.” Want More Like This?Episode 7: What Is Good Enough? — An early look at how personal our standards of good enough are, and how the importance of what you’re doing can help determine where to stop.Episode 38: Personal Capacity — Shannon and Janine talk about the problem with expecting yourself to operate at 100 percent capacity and the value of making realistic choices about what you can actually do.Episode 252: Taking the Win — A discussion of noticing and giving yourself credit for what you’ve done instead of immediately focusing on what could still be better. Connect With UsWe’d love to hear from you. Do you find it easy to know when to stop? Have you experienced the freedom of good enough? Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: gettingtogoodenough@gmail.com Watch the conversation on YourTube!

  2. Sep 10

    What it Takes to Take a Break

    There’s a small problem with taking a carefully planned podcast break: apparently you have to do a whole lot of work first! You were on break from GTGE in August. We were not. We recorded and edited and scheduled episodes so Shannon can actually disappear for more than three weeks in September—without a computer—while Janine gets to enjoy a break from podcasting in the comfort of her apartment. From there, we wander through northern lights, unexpectedly expensive rustic accommodations, strategically scheduling the relaxing part of a vacation at the end, and the very sensible idea of leaving a bit of time to catch up before returning to real life. Which leads to the less relaxing question: What happens when you step away from something long enough that you worry you’ll forget how to do it? What We Talk About01:57 Why planned breaks were part of bringing the podcast back02:43 Staying off the hamster wheel—and keeping the podcast fun03:30 What an actual vacation looks like when you’re self-employed04:46 Doing a lot of work now so you can really stop working later05:20 Norway, Sweden, Denmark, northern lights, and some pricey “roughing it”07:49 Ending a trip somewhere relaxing so you don't need a vacation after your vacation13:26 The slightly unnerving side of stepping away for a while14:42 Writing things down so Future You doesn’t have to remember everything Key TakeawaysApparently, a real break sometimes requires a very busy stretch beforehand.“We only do it if it’s fun” is still a useful measure for the podcast—and one reason taking breaks matters.There’s something appealing about putting a buffer around a break: time to settle into being away, and time to settle back in when you return.Worrying about what might happen while you’re gone doesn’t necessarily mean the break is a bad idea. Shannon can worry that she’ll forget how to podcast and still go to Scandinavia without a computer.Writing down a process is useful even before you need the instructions. And checking the instructions while you’re actually doing the thing may be the best way to discover whether they bear any resemblance to reality. The Bottom LineTaking a break sounds restful. Preparing to take one? Not necessarily. But Shannon and Janine keep coming back to the same thing that has guided the podcast since 2018: if it stops being fun, something needs to change. This time, the change is a planned break, some real time away, and a little room around the edges for reentry. There are still nerves about stepping away, but there are also notes, backup plans, and some real-time documentation. And if Shannon almost forgot the tagline before the break even started, perhaps updating those podcast instructions really is a good idea! Want More Like This?Episode 100: Our 100th Episode! Shannon and Janine celebrate making it to 100 episodes and revisit the agreement they made at the beginning: they’d keep doing the podcast as long as it was fun. Six years later, that principle is still doing some useful work. Episode 150: Creating Helpful Work Boundaries Work has a way of sneaking into the rest of life, especially when you work for yourself. Shannon and Janine talk about ways to make work and non-work time more distinct—including what Shannon learned from a beach trip that wasn’t quite as vacation-like as it could have been. Episode 183: Taking a Break The earlier version of this very experiment: Shannon and Janine announce a five-week podcast hiatus and talk about what they might gain by actually stopping instead of filling the gap with more work. Connect With UsWe would love to hear from you, our listeners. Do you remember to take a break? What is it like for you when you do? Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: gettingtogoodenough@gmail.com Watch the conversation on YouTube! Meta DescriptionShannon and Janine talk about taking a real break, planning time off, easing back in afterward, and the nerves that can come with stepping away.

  3. Aug 6

    We’re Taking a Summer Break

    We’re taking a summer break! When we brought Getting to Good Enough back last year, we decided that building in some time off would help keep the podcast fun and fresh. So we’re taking August off and enjoying that back-to-school feeling of excitement about summer vacation. We’ll be back with a brand-new episode—and a brand-new season—on September 10. See you then!

  4. Jul 30

    Getting Past Disappointment

    Disappointment comes in all sizes. Sometimes it’s losing your AirPods somewhere in your apartment and having to fall back on an old wired pair. Sometimes it’s discovering that the IKEA cabinet system you carefully planned cannot coexist with geometry, physics, and an 82-inch basement ceiling—and suddenly not wanting to organize the basement at all. Then there are the disappointments that change much bigger plans, and open the door to something else entirely. A layoff can make space for a new YouTube channel. A canceled Camino can become an RV trip through eastern Oregon, complete with fossil digging and the Painted Hills. The disappointing thing doesn’t have to become secretly wonderful. But when one imagined outcome has started to feel like the only good outcome, remembering what actually matters can make other possibilities visible again. What We Talk About01:44 — The IKEA cabinet plan that seemed perfect until geometry and physics got involved03:14 — When disappointment makes starting over feel so overwhelming that doing nothing becomes tempting04:22 — Lowering the basement floor, raising a house, and other "reasonable" ways to preserve the IKEA plan06:14 — How an idea can start to feel like the only solution07:30 — Returning to what Shannon actually wants from the basement instead of how she expected to achieve it08:38 — Shifting to the hope that something unexpectedly better might turn up09:30 — A layoff, Hannah’s new YouTube channel, and disappointments that lead somewhere surprisingly good11:10 — A potentially disappointing Polestar test drive, a wrong apartment floor plan, and the canceled Camino that became an eastern Oregon adventure16:32 — Outsized disappointment as a clue that an idea of perfection may have been hiding in the plan Key TakeawaysDisappointment can feel especially intense when a particular outcome has quietly become the perfect ONLY desirable outcome.Once the preferred answer seems impossible, black-and-white thinking can make every other possibility look inadequate.Some disappointments require an immediate adjustment, while others leave a project sitting untouched until there is enough energy to reconsider it.A changed plan may lead to something unexpectedly wonderful, but it could also lead to another disappointment—the Polestar test drive could still go either way.The solution doesn’t have to be found before the feeling shifts; by the end, Shannon’s unresolved basement problem has become a fun puzzle again. The Bottom LineDisappointment might mean wired earbuds instead of AirPods, donating furniture because the floor plan was wrong, canceling a long-awaited trip, or having to rethink a carefully planned basement project. Sometimes the alternative is simply what has to happen, and sometimes it turns into an experience that would never have happened otherwise. The realization isn’t that every disappointment is secretly a gift—it’s that an outsized reaction may point to a perfect outcome that had started to crowd out every other possibility. Janine still doesn’t know whether the Polestar will be a revelation or a huge disappointment, and Shannon still doesn’t know what will go in the basement, but the uncertainty feels less overwhelming by the end than it did at the beginning, and new ideas become possible. Want More Like This?Episode 48: Flexibility Shannon and Janine look at how rigid expectations and standards can make life harder, and how greater flexibility can create space for other ways of doing things. Episode 123: Adapt with Ease Wildfire smoke disrupted Shannon’s eastern Oregon RV trip, while Janine’s computer failed during an important project. They discuss how preparation and knowing what mattered helped them adapt when events did not go as planned. Episode 177: How to Change Your Mind Once we’ve committed to a particular outcome, it can be hard to step back when circumstances change. Shannon and Janine discuss commitment bias, perfectionism, and the value of considering alternatives—a good match for the broader question of what comes after a plan doesn’t work out. Connect With UsLeave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: gettingtogoodenough@gmail.com Watch the conversation on YouTube!

  5. Jul 23

    That Awkward Thing You Still Think About

    You know the one. That awkward goodbye. The thing you said that came out wrong. The gift giving you wish had unfolded just a little differently. Everyone else has probably forgotten it...but somehow your brain keeps bringing it back. A Fourth of July host gift wrapped in Japanese fabric leads Shannon down that familiar path of replaying an interaction she wishes had gone differently. Janine counters with a thirty-year-old hug-that-should-have-been-a-handshake memory that's somehow still hanging around. Somewhere between laughing at themselves and gently questioning why these moments stick, they wonder whether our brains are actually looking for something useful—or whether it's finally time to admit those experiences were simply...good enough. What We Talk About00:42 — Surviving a heat wave, celebrating the Fourth of July, and how a handmade Japanese fabric gift wrap unexpectedly became the source of an awkward memory.02:49 — Why embarrassing moments seem to replay in our heads far longer than they deserve—and why that happens less often than it used to.04:11 — Janine shares a thirty-year-old crossed-wires goodbye: she went in for a hug just as a colleague offered a handshake.05:18 — Could our brains be hanging onto embarrassing memories because they're still looking for the lesson?06:09 — Shannon reframes her host-gift experience and realizes she doesn't need to explain, manage, or perfect someone else's experience.08:30 — Using visualization to brighten the parts of a memory worth keeping and dim the parts that aren't serving us.11:48 — Is replaying awkward moments really another form of perfectionism? Maybe recognizing they were simply "good enough" is enough to let them go.13:15 — The conversation ends with a surprisingly funny realization: if you're here now, you survived the awkward moment—and maybe it's finally time to evict it from your head. Key TakeawaysIf an awkward memory keeps resurfacing, ask yourself whether there's actually a lesson to learn—or whether you've already learned it.The people involved in your embarrassing moment probably remember it far less vividly than you do.You can intentionally emphasize the parts of a memory you want to keep and soften the parts that aren't helping you anymore.Sometimes "good enough" applies to entire experiences, not just projects or tasks.Looking back on an awkward moment with humor instead of embarrassment can completely change how it feels. The Bottom LineOur brains have a funny habit of giving awkward moments far more attention than they deserve. A slightly uncomfortable goodbye or a gift exchange that didn't unfold exactly as planned can occupy valuable mental real estate long after everyone else has moved on. Maybe the goal isn't to erase those memories. Maybe it's to recognize that they were good enough, learn whatever there was to learn, and let the rest become just another funny story. If one of those old cringe memories pops into your head this week, ask yourself: Have I already learned everything I needed to learn from this? If the answer is yes, see what happens if you simply let it go. Want More Like ThisEpisode 238: Be Your Own BFF Instead of beating yourself up over past mistakes, this conversation explores how treating yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a friend can make it much easier to move forward. Episode 68: What's Wrong with Perfectionism? A foundational discussion about why perfectionism gets in the way of happiness—and how embracing good enough frees up energy for the things that really matter. Episode 228: Managing Mistakes A perfect companion to this episode. Janine shares a significant mistake she made, and together they explore apologizing, learning, moving on, and resisting the urge to keep beating yourself up. Connect With UsLeave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: gettingtogoodenough@gmail.com Watch the conversation on YouTube!

  6. Jul 16

    The Challenge of Changing Gears

    Some days the hardest part of any task isn't doing it—it's stopping what you're doing so you can do the next thing. That shows up everywhere: going for a run, getting into (and out of) the shower, heading to an appointment, downsizing to a new home, or simply standing up from your desk. Along the way there are tomato plants that suddenly need cages, dogs who don't want to leave the air conditioning, and just one more thing that distracts you. Rather than trying to solve transitions once and for all, Shannon and Janine get curious about why they can feel so surprisingly difficult—and share the little things they've discovered that make changing gears just a bit easier. What We Talk About00:00 — Why switching from one thing to the next can feel harder than the task itself.01:36 — Staying in a pleasant groove, reluctant dogs, and the universal appeal of not changing gears.02:45 — An all-too-relatable reel, shower resistance, and why transitions seem to take so much mental energy.04:17 — Big life transitions, from moving and downsizing to discovering apartment living was exactly the right fit.05:52 — How outside accountability—and sometimes professional help—can make overwhelming transitions much more manageable.08:28 — Reducing friction with prepared bags, designated homes for keys, and other small systems that make leaving easier.12:30 — Using a physical "bridge" between tasks instead of letting a transition become an invitation to get distracted.15:28 — Repeating "This is what I'm doing now," remembering why the next task matters, and making it more appealing than the one you're leaving. Key TakeawaysTransitions often become easier when you remove little points of friction ahead of time, like gathering what you'll need before it's time to leave.Giving frequently used items permanent homes can eliminate unnecessary stress and decision-making.A brief physical reset—stretching, getting water, or simply standing up—can serve as a bridge between tasks instead of a detour.Quietly reminding yourself what you're doing next can help keep your attention from wandering during transitions.Connecting with why the next task matters can make it feel easier to begin than simply treating it as another item on the list. The Bottom LineChanging gears is work. Whether it's leaving the house, starting a workout, finishing a favorite activity, or making a major life change, there's often a surprising amount of invisible effort packed into the transition itself. The encouraging part is that the conversation isn't about becoming someone who loves transitions. It's about noticing where they get sticky and experimenting with small ways to make them feel a little smoother. Maybe that's putting your keys on a hook, taking a stretch break, or simply reminding yourself: "This is what I'm doing now." Watch the conversation on YouTube!The "Doorway Effect" Want More Like ThisEpisode 151: Task Management Revisited Task systems are only as useful as the way they fit your brain. Shannon and Janine explore how to build a system around what you actually need rather than searching for the perfect tool. Episode 153: Helping Your Future Self A practical conversation about making present-day decisions that reduce friction for future you—from morning routines to planning ahead. Episode 152: Practicing Being Present If the idea of paying attention to what you're doing right now resonated, this episode explores simple ways to be more present without expecting perfection. Connect With UsLeave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: gettingtogoodenough@gmail.com Watch the conversation on YouTube!The "Doorway Effect" Please take a moment to subscribe, rate & review the podcast!

  7. Jul 9

    De-Ickifying Your Self-Talk

    The way we talk to ourselves is easy to ignore because it's happening all the time. Most of us don't stop to wonder whether that little voice is actually helping—or quietly making everything a little harder. A simple observation about motivation opens up a conversation about encouragement, resistance, and the surprisingly big difference a small shift in wording can make. Along the way there are yoga aspirations, podcast deadlines, rebellious inner toddlers, Hamilton songs, and a reminder that our inner worlds are often much stranger—and more personal—than we assume. What We Talk About00:00 — Why negative self-talk adds another layer of "ick."02:06 — Shannon's self-motivating approach to training for the Oslo 10K.03:23 — Yoga, podcast editing, and finding better motivation.05:14 — Encouragement versus self-criticism.08:27 — Meeting the "inner rebel toddler."09:23 — Making negative self-talk less convincing.11:43 — Inner voices, Hamilton songs, and how differently our minds work.14:30 — Remembering why something matters in the first place. Key TakeawaysThe tone of your self-talk can matter just as much as the words themselves.Remembering why you want to do something can feel much more motivating than telling yourself you should.Harsh self-talk often adds another layer of discomfort instead of making action easier.If a negative inner voice feels convincing, changing how you imagine it—its voice, location, or tone—can make it easier to question.Simply noticing how you talk to yourself is a meaningful first step. The Bottom LineIt isn't about finding the perfect motivational script. It's about paying attention to the conversation you're already having with yourself—and whether it's actually helping. Sometimes the smallest shift isn't changing your goal but changing the voice that's encouraging you toward it. The next time you catch yourself saying "I should," pause for a moment and ask yourself why you want it instead. Want More Like ThisEpisode 4: Self-Talk If this conversation felt familiar, it's fun to hear where it all began. Shannon and Janine first explored the little voice in your head—and what to do when it isn't being especially helpful. Episode 78: Words Matter A natural companion to this episode, this conversation looks at how small shifts in language can change the way we think, especially when perfectionism sneaks into our self-talk. Episode 98: Stop With the Shoulds One of Janine's least favorite words gets the spotlight. If today's conversation about encouragement resonated, this episode digs deeper into replacing obligation with choice. Connect With UsHow do you talk to yourself when you're trying to do something that's good for you? Has changing that conversation ever made a difference? Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: gettingtogoodenough@gmail.com Watch the conversation on YouTube!About Aphantasia: the inability to picture things in your Mind | The Guardian

  8. Jul 2

    Celebrating People, Not a Plan

    Celebrating the People, Not the Plan From a college graduation in 97-degree heat, a wedding planner making questionable choices, and a refrigerator stocked with canned sparkling rosé just in case someone deserves celebrating—this conversation goes exactly where you'd expect a conversation between Shannon and Janine to go! What starts with Shannon's weekend celebrating her son's college graduation turns into a thoughtful discussion about what really matters when we're marking life's big (and little) moments. Plans change, weather happens, people forget to change their shirts, and somehow the best memories often come from the parts that didn't go according to plan. Along the way, Shannon and Janine talk about weddings, birthday parties, hosting, tiny wins, and why keeping your focus on the people you're celebrating makes it a whole lot easier to let go of perfection. What We Talk About00:00 — Why the memorable parts of a celebration often aren't the perfectly planned ones00:41 — Shannon shares stories from her son's graduation weekend, including extreme heat, schedule changes, and staying flexible04:01 — Keeping your eye on what's actually important instead of getting attached to the plan05:08 — Janine reflects on hosting events, overplanning, and putting early guests to work when things are running behind07:56 — Shannon remembers planning her wedding, defining success simply as "we're legally married," and the unforgettable moment her wedding planner was found doing shots at the bar11:56 — How deciding in advance how you want people to feel can make every planning decision easier13:44 — Letting go of perfectionism around celebrations15:47 — Celebrating small wins, keeping canned sparkling rosé on hand, and why no victory is too small to acknowledge Key TakeawaysDecide what's most important before the event starts, then let that guide your decisions when plans inevitably change.Planning and flexibility aren't opposites—you can prepare thoughtfully without becoming attached to every detail.Guests usually remember how a celebration felt much more than whether everything went exactly according to schedule.If you're hosting, let people help. Many friends are genuinely happy to pitch in.Celebrating someone else's small win can mean even more than celebrating your own. The Bottom LineCelebrations have a funny way of reminding us what actually matters. The schedule changes, the weather refuses to cooperate, somebody forgets to change clothes, or the wedding planner winds up somewhere unexpected—but the people you love still gather, laugh, and create memories together. Maybe that's why the imperfect moments are often the ones we remember most. This week, notice one small reason to celebrate—your own or someone else's—and don't wait for it to be a big occasion. Want More Like ThisEpisode 130: Making the Best of the Season Not every celebration looks the way you imagined it would. This conversation explores finding what really matters when traditions have to change and keeping the focus on the people you're celebrating. Episode 104: Try Compassion Perfectionism and self-criticism often go hand in hand. If you've ever been hard on yourself while hosting or planning something, this episode offers a compassionate companion to this week's conversation. Episode 48: Flexibility A great follow-up if this discussion resonated. Shannon and Janine explore how relaxing rigid expectations can make planning—and life in general—a whole lot easier. Connect With UsLeave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: gettingtogoodenough@gmail.com Watch the conversation on YouTube!

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About

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
    299
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2018-2025 Getting to Good Enough
  • Show Website
    Getting to Good Enough

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