Why My ADHD Brain Finally Embraced "Good Enough" (And How Yours Can Too)

Embracing "good enough" for ADHD brains means shifting from perfectionism, which often leads to paralysis, to a more forgiving and action-oriented mindset. This approach prioritizes progress over flawless execution, acknowledging that for neurodivergent individuals, the pursuit of perfection can trigger executive dysfunction and emotional overwhelm, hindering task initiation and completion. It's about lowering internal barriers to entry and celebrating incremental wins.

It’s 2 AM. My brain, as usual, is a bustling metropolis of half-formed thoughts, anxieties about tomorrow's to-do list, and a sudden, urgent need to research the migratory patterns of monarch butterflies. Sound familiar? For years, this nocturnal symphony was accompanied by a relentless internal critic, whispering about all the things I hadn't done perfectly, or worse, hadn't even started. I used to think "good enough" was a cop-out, a sign of weakness. Now? It's my secret weapon, the gentle hum that quiets the chaos just enough to let me breathe, and sometimes, even do things.

Why Does Perfectionism Feel So Enticing (Yet So Debilitating) for ADHD Brains?

Perfectionism can feel incredibly seductive to an ADHD brain because it offers a false promise of control and validation, yet it often leads to action paralysis. We crave external validation and often internalize a narrative that we're "not trying hard enough" or "not good enough." This can lead us to believe that if we just make something perfect, we'll finally be seen as competent, smart, or capable. However, the sheer mental load required to achieve this imagined perfection – planning every detail, anticipating every flaw, executing flawlessly – overwhelms our already taxed executive functions. The dopamine hit of starting something new quickly fades when confronted with the mountain of "perfect" steps, leading to avoidance, procrastination, and ultimately, shame.

I remember this one time, I decided to finally organize my digital photos. A simple task, right? My brain immediately went to "perfect." I needed to create a system. Albums by year, by event, by person, cross-referenced, tagged with keywords, backed up to three different clouds, and printed into curated scrapbooks. Within an hour, I was staring at a blank folder, completely paralyzed by the sheer scope of my "perfect" vision. I ended up just closing the laptop and watching cat videos instead. The "good enough" version? Just getting photos from my phone onto a hard drive. That's it. Baby steps.

How Can "Good Enough" Actually Boost Productivity, Not Hinder It?

Embracing "good enough" boosts productivity by lowering the barrier to entry for tasks, transforming daunting mountains into manageable molehills. When we release the pressure to execute flawlessly, we create more space for initiation – often the hardest part for ADHD brains. Instead of aiming for an A+, aim for a C-. Often, that C- effort is enough to get the ball rolling, and once momentum builds, the quality naturally improves without the initial paralyzing pressure. It reframes "failure" not as an endpoint, but as a necessary step in learning and refining. This shift allows for experimentation, iteration, and ultimately, more completed tasks, even if they aren't "perfect" by some external (or internal, often unrealistic) standard.

Think about writing an email. My old brain would agonize over every word, every comma, trying to sound intelligent and articulate. This could take 30 minutes for a simple reply. Now, if the objective is just to convey information, I ask myself: "Is it clear? Is it polite? Does it achieve its purpose?" If yes, send. It might not be a literary masterpiece, but it's done. And the relief of that "done" feeling? That's a powerful motivator for the next task.

What's the Difference Between "Good Enough" and "Laziness" for an ADHD Brain?

The key difference between "good enough" and "laziness" for an ADHD brain lies in intention and emotional impact. "Good enough" is a strategic choice to prioritize progress over perfection, to manage energy, and to mitigate executive dysfunction. It's an active decision to release the emotional burden of unattainable standards, allowing you to actually do something. There's a sense of self-compassion and forward movement. Laziness, on the other hand, often stems from overwhelm, fear of failure, or a lack of interest, leading to avoidance without a conscious, strategic decision to lower standards for the sake of progress. It leaves you feeling stuck, often accompanied by guilt or shame.

For me, "good enough" feels like a sigh of relief, a gentle nudge forward. "Laziness" feels like a heavy blanket, trapping me under a pile of "shoulds" and "coulds." It's about whether you're making a conscious choice to move forward imperfectly, or simply avoiding the task altogether. There are days, of course, when the line blurs, and I wonder if I'm just being lazy. But then I check in with myself: Am I avoiding this because I'm genuinely overwhelmed and need to simplify, or because I simply don't want to do it and am making excuses? Usually, it's the former, and that's where "good enough" becomes my lifeline. It's about self-awareness, really.

How Can I Start Practicing "Good Enough" Without Feeling Like I'm Settling?

To start practicing "good enough" without feeling like you're settling, begin by explicitly defining the minimum viable outcome for any given task. Before you start, ask yourself: "What is the absolute least I can do to consider this 'done' and move forward?" This creates a clear, achievable target. Celebrate these small wins fiercely, and remind yourself that consistent, imperfect action is infinitely more valuable than stalled perfection. Frame "good enough" as a powerful tool for energy management and a pathway to consistency, rather than a compromise in quality.

For example, if you need to clean your apartment:

• Perfectionist goal: Deep clean every surface, organize every drawer, mop every floor. (Result: Overwhelmed, nothing done.)
• "Good Enough" goal: Put away all visible clutter in the main living space. (Result: Apartment looks tidier, less stressful, 15 minutes of work.)

The apartment isn't perfect, but it's better. And that "better" feels good. It builds momentum. It's not about settling for less, it's about strategically achieving more by doing less initially.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Isn't "good enough" just an excuse to do shoddy work?

A: Not at all. For ADHD brains, "good enough" is a strategy to overcome the paralysis that often prevents us from doing any work. The goal is to get something done, and often, once started, the quality naturally improves beyond the initial "good enough" threshold. It's about consistent action over delayed perfection.

Q: How do I know if my "good enough" is actually good enough, especially in professional settings?

A: In professional settings, clarify expectations upfront. Ask your manager or client, "What's the core objective here? What's the minimum deliverable?" This helps you define "good enough" externally. Often, what we perceive as "good enough" is perfectly acceptable, or even excellent, to others who don't share our internal perfectionist struggles.

Q: What if I feel guilty when I don't give 100%?

A: Guilt is a common feeling, but challenge it. Remind yourself that giving 100% often means giving 0% because the task never gets started. Giving 70% consistently means you're actually accomplishing things. Reframe "giving 100%" as "giving 100% of the energy I have available for this specific task right now," which might not always be all of your energy.

TL;DR

✅ Embrace "good enough" to overcome ADHD paralysis by setting minimal viable outcomes.

🧠 Perfectionism often leads to inaction; "good enough" fosters progress and reduces shame.

📌 Define the "least you can do" for a task, do it, and celebrate the completion, no matter how small.

As someone who has lived with ADHD for over 20 years and spent the last 5 years researching and creating content for the neurodivergent community, I've learned that conventional advice often misses the mark. My insights come from navigating these challenges daily, experimenting with strategies, and connecting with countless others who share similar experiences. This isn't just theory; it's forged in the fires of real-life ADHD.

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