Better Not Best

I LOVE a good ah-ha moment about a word.  It’s even better when it’s about a commonly used word.  I’m reading The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek and his observation about the words better and best is something I’ve been mulling over all week.   The Infinite Game is about how businesses (and individuals) approach life.  He believes there are two mind-sets: a finite mindset, which has players with roles that are known. It has set rules and an agreed-upon objective. An infinite mindset has known and unknown players.  The rules in an infinite game are changeable, and the objective is not to win—the objective is to keep playing.   So what do the words better and best have to do with finite and infinite mindsets?  Sinek argues that best, especially used in a purpose or vision statement is a give-away of a finite minded business or person.   “Infinite minded leaders understand that “best” is not a permanent state.  Instead, they strive to be “better.” “Better” suggests a journey of constant improvement and makes us feel like we are being invited to contribute our talents and energies to make progress in that journey.” Simon Sinek The Infinite Game Better. What if we adopted a “better” mindset?  I like how Sinek defines better as a “journey of constant improvement.”  Better feels less demanding and spacious. It feels do-able. Better is a gentle invitation to growth.  James Clear writes about what he calls, continuous improvement or 1% better. I love this concept because it’s doable.  If you just do 1% more each day you’ll hardly notice the extra effort, but the combined results over time will be noticeable.  If you add 1% more time to your 30-minute walk that is less than 30 seconds each day. If you eat 1% better each day it’s just one bite less of dessert, or 1 bite more of kale.   If you get one percent better each day for one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done. James Clear  Read more about Continuous Improvement Here: Better and Best are words that we use all the time. It’s interesting and a fun challenge to think about what words imply and what message, intentional or unintentional that they send. Sometimes it’s as simple as just changing the word. Where can you adopt a better over best mindset? Have you considered what better and best mean to you?  Are you starting your day with the Be More Journal? It’s available on Amazon. If you like these questions, please consider SUBSCRIBING to The Art of Powering Down; Questions to Recharge Your Soul… Every week there is a question that will gently challenge you, encourage you, or help you live your life with more intention, grace, and purpose.

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