Why My ADHD Brain Finally Found Peace (and Productivity) in "Good Enough"

For neurodivergent individuals, embracing the concept of "good enough" is a powerful strategy to combat perfectionism-induced paralysis and overwhelm. By lowering unrealistic expectations and focusing on completion over flawless execution, it significantly reduces the mental load associated with tasks, allowing for consistent progress and a more sustainable approach to productivity, ultimately fostering a sense of accomplishment and reducing burnout.

You know that feeling, right? The one where you have a hundred brilliant ideas swirling in your head, a to-do list that could rival a small novel, and yet... nothing actually gets done. Or worse, you start something, pour your heart and soul into it, only to abandon it halfway because it's not "perfect." It's like your brain is a high-performance engine, but the brakes are stuck on "all or nothing." For years, my ADHD brain was trapped in this cycle, convinced that anything less than flawless was a failure. It was exhausting, and honestly, a little heartbreaking.

Why Does My ADHD Brain Insist on Perfection?

My ADHD brain, much like many others I've chatted with, often insists on perfection as a coping mechanism, a way to compensate for perceived past failures or to control the unpredictable nature of executive dysfunction. This isn't about being inherently better; it's often a deep-seated fear of judgment or a desire to prove competence, especially when our brains work a little differently. For me, it manifested as an intense need for every project, every email, every thought to be exquisitely crafted. The problem? Most things never got past the "thought" stage because the bar was set impossibly high. The shame of not meeting those unachievable standards was a heavier burden than the task itself.

One time, I spent an entire Saturday trying to organize my spice cabinet. Sounds simple, right? My vision involved uniform jars, custom labels, an alphabetical and color-coded system, and a perfectly clean shelf. By 3 PM, I had emptied all the spices, realized I didn't have enough matching jars, got overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tiny seeds and powders, and ended up just shoving everything back in haphazardly, feeling like a complete failure. My kitchen looked worse than before, and I was utterly drained. The "perfect" spice cabinet never materialized; only the mess and the self-criticism did.

How Can "Good Enough" Help My ADHD Productivity?

Embracing "good enough" radically shifts your focus from an unattainable ideal to achievable progress, which is a game-changer for ADHD productivity. Instead of aiming for flawless, you aim for done. This isn't about lowering your standards permanently; it's about strategically lowering the activation energy required to start and complete tasks. When the pressure to be perfect is removed, the resistance to begin often dissipates.

Think about it: that email you've been procrastinating on because you can't find the exact perfect wording? "Good enough" means sending it with the clear information, even if it's not a literary masterpiece. That report that needs to be 100% comprehensive? "Good enough" means getting the core data in and allowing for revisions later. For me, this has been life-altering. My blog posts, for example, used to sit in drafts for weeks while I tweaked every sentence. Now, I aim for clear, helpful, and authentic. If a word isn't absolutely perfect, but the message is conveyed, I let it go. And guess what? More posts get published, and the feedback is still overwhelmingly positive. It turns out, people value consistency and genuine connection more than poetic prose.

This shift helps circumvent the "all or nothing" thinking common with ADHD. It allows for incremental wins, which build momentum and self-efficacy. Each "good enough" task completed is a small dopamine hit, encouraging you to tackle the next, rather than being stuck in an endless loop of inaction.

Is "Good Enough" Just an Excuse for Laziness or Mediocrity?

No, "good enough" is absolutely not an excuse for laziness or mediocrity; it's a strategic tool for sustainable productivity and mental well-being, especially for neurodivergent individuals. It’s about being intentional with your energy and recognizing that not every task warrants 110% effort. In fact, consistently striving for perfection often leads to burnout, paralysis, and ultimately, less output, not more.

The nuance here is crucial: "good enough" means meeting the actual requirements of a task, not the imagined perfect requirements. It's about discerning when high-quality is essential and when simply completing the task to an acceptable standard is sufficient. For instance, brain surgery? Not "good enough" territory. Filing your taxes? You definitely want them to be accurate and complete. But writing a casual thank-you note? "Good enough" means genuine and timely, not an elaborate handwritten card with ribbon and calligraphy.

I struggled with this distinction for a long time. I worried that if I embraced "good enough," I'd just become sloppy. But I've learned that it actually frees up mental bandwidth for the things that do require my full attention and perfectionist tendencies. It helps me prioritize. It's a form of self-compassion, acknowledging that my brain works hard, and it deserves a break from constant, self-imposed pressure. It's about working smarter, not endlessly harder against myself. There are still times I catch myself spiraling into a perfectionist loop, especially with creative projects. I'll spend hours on a graphic, only to realize I've missed a deadline for actually using the graphic. In those moments, I have to consciously pull myself back and ask, "Is this truly necessary, or is 'good enough' going to serve my purpose better right now?" More often than not, "good enough" wins, and I'm better for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How do I know when something is "good enough" and not actually just mediocre?

A1: The key is to define the actual objective of the task. If the objective is met to an acceptable standard, it's good enough. Ask yourself: "What is the minimum viable outcome here?" and "Will this achieve its purpose?"

Q2: Won't embracing "good enough" make my work quality suffer over time?

A2: Not necessarily. By reducing the activation energy for tasks, you're more likely to complete them consistently. This consistency often leads to overall improvement and allows you to dedicate higher quality effort to tasks that genuinely require it, rather than burning out on everything.

Q3: What if my boss/teacher expects perfection?

A3: This is a valid concern. "Good enough" in a professional or academic context means meeting or exceeding the stated expectations, not your internal, often higher, perfectionist standards. If a specific level of detail or quality is required, then that becomes your "good enough" benchmark.

TL;DR

✅ Embrace "good enough" to overcome ADHD perfectionism paralysis and get tasks done.

🧠 "Good enough" isn't laziness; it's a strategic tool for sustainable productivity and mental health.

📌 Define the actual objective of a task, meet that standard, and move on to build momentum.

As someone who's navigated the complexities of ADHD for over two decades and dedicated the last five years to understanding and sharing insights with the neurodivergent community, I've found that strategies like "good enough" aren't just theoretical—they're essential for daily functioning and thriving. This isn't just an observation; it's lived experience.

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