Being Good Isn’t Good Enough

Good Isn’t Good Enough: Striving for Excellence in a World of “Hallelujah, Baby!”

There’s a familiar refrain echoing through the halls of our lives: “good enough” is good enough. We hear it from teachers who pile on participation points, employers who celebrate “meeting expectations,” and even friends who offer a lukewarm “that’s nice” to our latest passion project. It’s a comfortable mantra, a safety net that keeps us from the perceived dangers of pushing ourselves further. But here’s the truth I’ve learned: good isn’t good enough. It never has been, and it never will be.

This isn’t some self-help guru barking about achieving your wildest dreams. This is a call to action for anyone who’s ever felt the gnawing dissatisfaction of settling for “fine.” It’s a call to arms, inspired by the electrifying energy of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah, Baby!”

The Power of “Hallelujah, Baby!”

If you haven’t experienced a live performance of “Hallelujah, Baby!” then you’re missing out on a masterclass in artistic excellence. The raw emotion, the unyielding pursuit of something more–it’s a potent reminder that good can’t hold a candle to great.

Cohen’s music isn’t about settling for the easy answer, the comfortable melody. It’s about digging deep, unearthing the complexities of love, loss, and faith, and translating them into an unforgettable sonic experience. It’s a relentless pursuit of capturing the human condition in all its messy glory, a pursuit that refuses to settle for “good enough.”

Being Good Isn’t Good Enough; Performing Barbra Streisand

Honey, listen close. We all know that feeling, that sigh of relief when something is just…good enough. It’s safe, it’s comfortable, it lets you curl up with a cup of tea and pat yourself on the back. But darling, where’s the fire in that? Where’s the passion?

You weren’t put on this earth to color inside the lines, to sing the same tired melody. You were born to belt it out, to shake things up, to leave audiences breathless. So don’t you dare settle for “good enough.” Set your sights on magnificent, on extraordinary, and honey, trust me, you’ll never regret it.

The “Good Enough” Trap

The “good enough” trap is seductive. It offers the illusion of safety and a way of avoiding failure. But here’s the harsh reality: settling for “good enough” guarantees mediocrity. It stagnates our work, stifles our creativity, and leaves us perpetually unfulfilled.

Think about it. Have you ever walked away from a project feeling a hollow sense of accomplishment, a nagging feeling that you could have done better? That’s the “good enough” trap in action. It lulls us into believing we’ve achieved something worthwhile, when in reality, we’ve merely painted by the numbers.

Breaking Free

So how do we break free from the clutches of “good enough”? Here are three ways to light a fire under your passion and propel yourself towards excellence:

1. Embrace Discomfort: Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. Push yourself beyond what feels familiar. Take on challenging tasks, experiment with new ideas, and don’t be afraid to fail. Every misstep is a stepping stone on the path to mastery.
2. Obsess Over Quality: Mediocrity thrives on complacency. Cultivate a relentless obsession with quality in everything you do. Set high standards for yourself, and don’t settle for anything less. This relentless pursuit of excellence will become your guiding light.
3. Seek Inspiration: Surround yourself with people who inspire you to be better. Immerse yourself in art, music, and literature that ignites your passion. Let the achievements of others be a constant reminder of what’s possible.

Lyrics for a Song titled “Being Good Isn’t Good Enough” in the Style of Glee Cast, Found on the web:

(Verse 1) Hey, I used to think that being good was all I needed Hit the right notes, follow every rule, never seeded Doubt in my heart, a whisper in my ear Saying “good” just ain’t gonna get you here

(Pre-Chorus) Gotta take a chance, gotta break the mold This fire in my soul, it’s getting bold Can’t be held back by the ordinary line Gotta rewrite the story, make my future shine

(Chorus) Being good isn’t good enough, no no We were born to rise above, oh oh Gotta reach for the stars, gotta break the chains Gonna rewrite the game

(Verse 2) See the champions, they don’t settle for fine They push their limits, leave mediocrity behind Every step they take, they leave their hearts out there Blood, sweat, and tears, with nothing left to spare

(Pre-Chorus) Gotta take a chance, gotta break the mold This fire in my soul, it’s getting bold Can’t be held back by the ordinary line Gotta rewrite the story, make my future shine

(Chorus) Being good isn’t good enough, no no We were born to rise above, oh oh Gotta reach for the stars, gotta break the chains Gonna rewrite the game

(Bridge) So hear me now, when I say I won’t quit Gonna chase my dreams, every single bit There’s a fire in my eyes, a burning desire To set the world on fire

(Chorus) Being good isn’t good enough, no no We were born to rise above, oh oh Gotta reach for the stars, gotta break the chains Gonna rewrite the game

(Outro) We will rewrite the game, yeah Gonna rise above the flames Good isn’t good enough, no way We were meant to fly today

The Road to Excellence is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Remember, the journey towards excellence is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be days when “good enough” feels awfully tempting. But on those days, revisit the raw power of “Hallelujah, Baby!” Let it be a reminder that true fulfillment lies in relentlessly pushing the boundaries, in refusing to settle for anything less than extraordinary.

Good isn’t good enough. Let’s chase the exhilarating high of excellence, together.