When Good Just Isn't Good Enough
The Courage to Chase "Exceptional"
This Week’s Courage Newsletter
"Most people fail in life not because they aim too high and miss, but because they aim too low and hit." - Les Brown
Why settling for "good enough" might be the riskiest choice of all
Scare Your Soul Challenge: The Good-to-Exceptional Challenge
Bottom line: Sometimes the bravest decision is leaving what's working for what could be extraordinary
Dear Courageous Souls (and Comfort Zone Dwellers),
Let me ask you a powerful question:
What if the most dangerous risk isn't failure, but settling?
We're taught to fear the fall, the crash, the stumble.
But what if the real tragedy is never leaving the ground?
As writer Brianna Wiest so perfectly puts it: "There is nothing scarier than leaving what you believe to be good in pursuit of what could potentially be exceptional. But the truth is, in that moment, there is no decision to make. You know the path forward; the only question is: will you find the courage?"
That stopped me cold when I first read it.
Because it speaks to that voice we all hear sometimes – the one that whispers: "This is fine. This is good enough. Why rock the boat?"
That voice sounds so reasonable, doesn't it? So adult. So responsible.
But here's what that voice doesn't tell you: "Good enough" is where dreams go to take a nap and never wake up.
Two years ago, I was living what most would call a successful life.
Great career? Check. Financial stability? Check. Respect from colleagues? Check. Comfortable daily routine?
Double check.
Something was whispering to me – not the cautious voice of comfort, but a deeper one.
The voice of potential.
"What if?" it asked. "What if there's more?"
But leaving a secure job to pursue a courage movement?
That seemed... irresponsible.
Risky.
Good to potentially exceptional.
Comfortable to possibly extraordinary.
Here's what nobody tells you about that leap: the scariest part isn't the jumping.
It's standing at the edge, talking yourself out of it again and again.
Eventually, I leaped.
I left my career behind and went all-in.
Was it terrifying? Absolutely. Did I doubt myself? Constantly.
Did everything work out perfectly?
Not even close.
But here's what did happen: life became electric.
Studies in positive psychology show that people who prioritize growth and meaning over comfort and security report higher levels of fulfillment – even when their paths include more obstacles.
It turns out that humans aren't actually designed to be comfortable. We're designed to grow, to stretch, to become.
Comfort, while pleasant, is often the enemy of fulfillment.
Think about it: when was the last time you felt truly alive, truly engaged?
Was it during a moment of perfect comfort, or was it when you were stretching beyond your known limits?
For most of us, our moments of greatest aliveness come wrapped in challenges, in stretching, in the electricity of the new and uncertain.
This doesn't mean you need to blow up your life.
But it does mean asking yourself honestly: "Where have I settled for 'good enough' when something exceptional might be calling?"
This week's Scare Your Soul Challenge: The Good-to-Exceptional Challenge
The Brutal Audit: Take 10 minutes to identify THREE areas of your life where you've settled for "good enough." Be radically honest with yourself. These might be:
A relationship that's comfortable but not growing
A career that pays the bills but doesn't light you up
A daily routine that's efficient but lacks meaning
A creative pursuit you've kept "hobby-sized" when it wants to be more
The Whisper Listen: For each area, ask yourself: "What would 'exceptional' look like here?"
The Micro-Leap: Choose ONE area and take a single small step toward "exceptional" this week. It doesn't have to be quitting your job or moving cross-country. It might be:
A conversation you've been avoiding
Setting aside one hour for the creative project you keep postponing
Signing up for that class that scares and excites you
Reaching out to someone who represents the path you secretly want
The Fear Embrace: Notice the discomfort that arises. Don't fight it. Simply acknowledge: "This is what growth feels like." This discomfort isn't a warning sign – it's confirmation you're moving in the right direction.
Remember: The path from good to exceptional isn't about recklessness.
It's about recognizing when comfort has become a cage rather than a sanctuary.
In the words of John A. Shedd: "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."
What are YOU built for?
With courage, curiosity, and a healthy disrespect for "good enough,"
P.S. What's one time you left "good" for "exceptional"? Or what's calling you to make that leap now? Email me at scott@scareyoursoul.com. I'd love to hear your story!
P.P.S. Speaking of exceptional experiences... This June, I'm co-leading an extraordinary journey to Peru's Sacred Valley with just 10 courage seekers. This isn't a typical tourist trip – it's an invitation to discover what might be possible when you step beyond the comfortable and familiar. Email me at scott@scareyoursoul.com to learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime adventure (June 15-21, 2024). Some leaps are worth taking! ✨