The Danger of Settling for ‘Almost Perfect’

Nothing brings out one’s existential side more than furniture shopping. Online, in-store, discount, luxury – it doesn’t really matter because at the end of the day, you’re looking for an intangible component that will sell you on a piece. It may be the right length, width, color, fabric, price… but does that mean it’s *the one*? Like any investment in life – whether that means money, time or emotional effort, you want your investment of resources to be put to good use. 

However, if a furniture piece checks all your boxes but doesn’t meet your unquantifiable needs, then maybe it’s not worth the next five years of wondering what else was out there. What other ways you could have spent the resources you put into that piece that seemed almost perfect? 

The same is true for jobs, relationships, volunteer commitments… We can spend years of our lives in roles or relationships or organizations that almost fit. And while that can be comfortable, at least as comfortable as a worn-in shoe that is one size too small, there is more for you than an almost perfect fit.The fear of turning those shoes in for the potential of something that may fit better could seem too risky. Sometimes we’re tired of shopping or meeting new people or networking or trying new things, so we think – this is good enough, but the ROI of a well calculated risk will far surpass settling for almost perfect.