Never Assume ‘It’ll Do’

•

I’ve thought it.

You’ve thought it.

You’ve been asked to do something that you didn’t really want to do and you get to a point and you think ‘this will do’.
It’ll be good enough.

You’re stuck with leading a project or special assignment and you really don’t see the importance of it.
You see that the results aren’t as good as they could be, but you eventually say, ‘this will do’.

Whatever you do, make it the best you can.

That task may also be an opportunity.
That responsibility may lead to other opportunities.
It may be this annoying task that’s gonna get you noticed by the boss and get you that promotion.
It may be that getting to lead that special project may lead to getting more opportunities later.

Never take what you’re doing for granted,
Never assume that ‘it’ll do’ when it’s not as good as it could be.

Do you agree? Is there a time when ‘it’ll do’ is the goal?

14 responses to “Never Assume ‘It’ll Do’”

Chris Patton

November 7

I guess this philosophy will work anytime…

1. the outcome does not matter
2. no one will care what you did
3. you will not be held accountable for your actions

The problem is…none of the above are ever true! It always matters, even when we cannot see the reason. There will always be someone who cares. We will be held accountable for every action.

So, I guess you are right. “It’ll do” does not work!

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  November 7
  
  haha… Good point.
  
  Reply
bill (cycleguy)

November 7

Reminds me of the scene in Back to the Future 3 where Jennifer holds the paper and talks about the future. And Doc answers, “Of course it is. No one’s future has been written yet, so make the best of it…both of you.” I disagree because God knows our future but at the same time, I need to make sure my future is filled with “the best of” and not “it’ll do.” Good thought JP.

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  November 7
  
  haha… well said, Bill. Thanks for the comment.
  
  Reply
Ja Cook

November 7

I think there are some moments when “it’ll do” is actually more beneficial than the higher goal of excellence. It depends on what is more important, the current goal or the values that make you who you are. Sometimes I think you have to be okay with “good enough” if it means staying true to those values and to yourself.

For example: You have two singers. One is a phenomenal singer. One is an okay singer. The one who is okay actually fits your DNA better. In my opinion, you go for okay.

BUT, I always believe you should shoot for excellence as long as it does not compromise who you are.

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  November 7
  
  Great point, Ja. I think you’re right… on some occasion, it may be OK to do. But, the example like the one you gave, the one that fits the DNA would actually be more excellent… in my opinion.
  
  Reply
Eileen

November 7

For some reason, this post reminded me of the Parable of the Talents. “It’ll do” is not inherently bad but it comes down to the condition of our hearts. If we are not serving to the best of our potential, we need to examine our heart and our motives.

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  November 7
  
  Great point! I think you nailed it.
  
  Reply
April

November 7

Loved this post. Made me think about the tasks placed in my responsibility and my attitude towards completing it.

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  November 7
  
  Good. Thanks April!
  
  Reply
Jason Vana

November 7

I’ve always been the kind of person who had given above and beyond what is expected and I never thought I would say this, but I’m starting to see that there are times when “good enough” actually is good enough, especially in my current PT job. I’ve busted my butt, done above and beyond my job classification, description and pay grade and after 2 years, the powers that be just want to leave me in this position because they can’t find someone else who can do what I do for the minimal amount of money they pay me. Going above and beyond shot me in the foot. It’s crazy.

For everything else, I still go above and beyond. Here…not so much anymore.

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  November 7
  
  Hmm. Yeah man. That’s tough. Still glad you did it to the best of your ability.
  
  Reply
Jon Stolpe

November 7

I guess that’s why I like the Cub Scout Motto, “Do Your Best!”

Reply
Cheryl

November 7

I think excellence is doing your best to be God honoring and doing things well to change people’s life. There is an extreme with excellence and that is perfectionism. Wanting everything to be perfect or just right all the time. Inflexible. Unbending. Don’t mistake perfectionism as excellence. Sometimes being excellent means letting go of perfect. I let a friend come over tonight with her daughters to play. My house wasnt perfect by a long shot. But to build a relationship with excellence I had to let the house be a little messy. The house was an it’ll do to foster a relationship something so much more valuable.

Reply

JONATHAN | PEARSON

Never Assume ‘It’ll Do’

14 responses to “Never Assume ‘It’ll Do’”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply