Enough. What is it?
Backstep Forward Newsletter
by Kyle Mast, CFP®
A short, to-the-point, weekly newsletter.
One challenge to take a step back.
One idea to propel you forward.
“‘Enough’ is not a single destination but rather a frame of reference that should change with each season of life.” (Share this on Twitter)
This is a tough one. What is enough? Should I settle for “enough”? Am I neglecting the gifts and opportunities that God has given me if I dial it back? Am I doing something wrong by striving for more?
There are two ends of the spectrum on this topic. On the one side is the push to achieve, gain, and create as much as possible. On the other side is the opinion that when we reach “enough” (whatever that is) we should stop and smell the roses.
While I’m still trying to figure out the concept of “enough” for me and my family, I’ve become convinced that “enough” greatly depends on your season of life and is not a single destination.
Defining what “enough” looks like for your current season of life will allow you to say “no” to some things now, which creates the freedom to prioritize the current season’s essentials while allowing for future change, growth, and excitement.
Backstep
Asking yourself and others really good questions is very powerful. One of my favorite questions I’ve encountered in recent years is from James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits. Ask yourself, “What am I optimizing for?”
To be more specific, I would suggest, “In this season of life, what am I optimizing for?”
Are you young and single? Married without kids? Have kids? Have lots of little kids? Empty-nester?
Forward
Identify the most essential thing in this season of life that you are, or should be, “optimizing for,” prioritizing, and making paramount. How can you get yourself to “enough” as quickly as possible, for this season, to ensure you have the time to focus on this priority?
This will be different for everyone and in every season. However, taking the time to define what “enough” looks like for your current season will significantly reduce regret down the road when the seasons change.
“‘Enough’ is not a single destination but rather a frame of reference that should change with each season of life.” (Share this on Twitter)
Kyle Mast, CFP®