When is Good better than BEST?

picture courtesy of https://pixabay.com

I was able to frame this question almost a year ago. Since then I always post it as a question every time I give a talk or seminar. And consistently, I get the same reaction from those who first hear it; their eyebrows would bump and then thousand of question marks would suddenly appear on their faces.

In the context of the degree of adjectives and in the spirit of comparison and competition… the obvious answer to the question is NEVER! But talking about personal relationships, values, character…there are circumstances that it is better to simply settle for “good” than to unreasonably pursue the desire to become the “best”.

And so…When is Good better than Best?… 

1. When the choice we make just to be the best, burns bridges and relationships. 
2. When the desire to be the best, brings out the worst in us.
3. When the action we take just to be the best, unroot in us the values and principles essential to life.

When all these come into the scenario…i say GOOD might be better than BEST.

Lastly, I want to share a line that I got from one of the few Tagalog films that I’ve watched. It made a mark in me and even became a reminder whenever I make actions and choices in life. It says…“Minsan dahil sa kagustuhan natin na maging pinakamagaling…nakakalimutan nating maging mabuti”. 

Something to think about. “It is great to be the best and still remain good”.