What Does a “Good Enough Job” Mean to You?
If someone asked you,
“What does a good enough job mean for you?” — how would you respond? What thoughts come to mind when you hear that question?
For me, the answer has evolved over time, depending on when you ask. If you had asked me when I was a 17-year-old university student, the answer would have been very different from how I feel now as a researcher with several years of experience, including having been laid off three times in a short period.
But why does my answer vary so much? I’ll get into that shortly, but first, let’s explore some insights from Simone Stolzoff’s book, The Good Enough Job. Based on his experiences and interviews with people from diverse backgrounds — from a chef who opened her own business to a software engineer at Google — Simone’s central message is about setting boundaries between your work and personal life.
According to Stolzoff, a “good enough job” is one that allows you to find meaning outside of work. Instead of placing all your happiness in your career, it’s important to build your joy and identity beyond your job. Even if you lose your job, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed at life because your worth and identity extend beyond your career.
The book emphasizes that success isn’t solely defined by wealth or career advancement. In cultures like the United States, where work often becomes a defining feature of personal identity, this can lead to burnout and a loss of self outside the professional sphere.
So, what does a “good enough job” mean to me personally?
My definition of a good enough job has shifted over time and will likely continue to evolve. However, one thing has remained constant: maintaining a separate identity between my work, hobbies, volunteer activities, and personal life is essential. My job title doesn’t define me as a person, and this perspective has helped me stay grounded — even during periods of unemployment.
I believe humans are more than their jobs. While work is important — it’s how we earn a living, whether through entrepreneurship or employment — it’s just one aspect of a fulfilling life. Beyond our careers, we are still human beings with identities that extend into other areas, whether as parents, volunteers, or people with passions like running or reading. These aspects of life give us meaning and fulfillment, ensuring that we don’t lose ourselves in our work.
Back when I was in university, I thought a “good enough job” simply meant a high-paying position that would guarantee happiness. I pursued an engineering degree, influenced by my parents’ stories of success: “As an electrical engineer, the opportunities to work abroad, like in Germany, are wide open!” or “You can earn a lot working in oil and gas!” These stories made me believe that success was tied to becoming an engineer and earning a high salary.
However, this was just survivorship bias — the stories of the successful few. What about the ones who didn’t make it big or had average careers?
After four years of studying and graduating, my perspective on a good enough job began to change. It shifted from chasing high pay to pursuing a job with social impact. This led me to the green energy sector, where I aimed to help make energy more affordable and environmentally friendly to meet global climate targets like the Paris Agreement.
But even then, I found that this definition of a good enough job was limiting my potential. By focusing solely on green energy, I closed myself off from other opportunities. In 2021, I experienced burnout and felt like I wasn’t achieving success while others seemed to be moving ahead. It was frustrating, especially during the COVID-19 era when job opportunities in engineering were scarce.
That’s when I realised I needed to redefine what a good enough job meant for me. I found a remote research opportunity that allowed me to work from my hometown — a rare chance for someone like me, who usually loves relocating to experience new cultures.
This led to another important realisation. I now value a job that allows me to explore my personal interests outside of work, even if the job itself is demanding. I want a career where, even with limited free time, I can still be myself — whether that means spending time with my family, reading, or enjoying small pleasures like visiting a coffee shop.
I now define success more holistically than before. It’s not just about my career, but also about the other aspects of life that bring me joy. Even though I’ve been laid off, I still have meaning outside of work. This balance allows me to stay positive while searching for new opportunities.
That said, I also recognise that this perspective comes with a certain privilege. As The Good Enough Job points out, finding meaning in your work often requires having the luxury of choice. Not everyone can afford to be picky about their jobs, especially in tough economic conditions. After getting married, for example, my top priority became providing for my family, even if that meant sacrificing some of the things I value in a “good enough job.” But even then, I still hold on to my personal identity outside of work.
So, how can you define your own good enough job? Start by reflecting on what success means to you and how you view the relationship between yourself and your job. This is critical because it helps determine what’s worth pursuing and what isn’t.
Ask yourself: Who are you beyond your work? What does your job mean to you, and how important is it in your life?
I’m no expert, but after reading The Good Enough Job, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my relationship with work. And I encourage you to do the same.
So, what does a “good enough job” look like for you? How do you define it?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
