Good vs. Great
aka C O F F E E
Within the framework of new ideas and innovations, there is a marked difference between a good idea and a great idea. (Obviously it doesn’t take a modern day Sherlock Holmes to discriminate between what the words “good” and “great” mean, but humor me please.) A good idea is easy, makes sense to most, and frankly, doesn’t really accomplish much. A great idea is one that may not be so easy to explain, requires attention and detail, and has more potential to be a change agent for your success. Great ideas cause friction and require much more hard work than the good.
Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between the two. I have definitely experienced both and I will tell you that I am usually tempted to go with the good instead of the great. Interestingly enough, there are times when you give up the good and you aren’t necessarily getting the great right away; you are actually leaving space for the greatness to come into your life…
This manifested in me when I chose to end a relationship with a guy in the past. Our relationship was easy and relatively conflict-free. We never really fought (or really communicated for that matter). We coasted through much of our relationship, unscathed and unchallenged. We probably would have been fine if we would have ended up together, but there is absolutely no way we would have been great. When we went through the awful experience of breaking up, I had no idea when I would date again or how but I knew that I had to release the good to make space for the great.
Leaving the good behind is never easy, and please don’t think that I am calling for everyone to leave their significant others if there are difficulties, but choosing to go for the great in the past has helped me continue to choose the great in the future (and I am not just talking about relationships here). I would argue that once you go for the great, you are better able to recognize it and seek it out for your choices and ideas.
I truly believe that going for the great is worth it and when you feel frustrated because things aren’t working out quite the way you wanted them to, seek out inspiration and guidance.
And please, stick to the great.
You are worth it.