I spend a lot of time working on new ideas: frameworks, post-meeting assignments, blog posts, presentations, workshops- it never ends. One of the challenges of working with diverse groups and individuals is that I never know how new ideas and frameworks will land within a specific group.
In order to improve each time I always ask for feedback at the end of a presentation, using a standard rating scale of 1-10 in various categories. But I have one very important rule:
No sevens.
Seven is safe.
Seven is a cop out for having to think.
Seven… is actually pretty useless- in feedback forms and in life.
Is Seven really “Good Enough?”
The number seven is a safe answer. It sits in that comfortable middle, where things are not amazing, but they’re also not terrible. It’s the comfort zone—a space where we are just “good enough” and don’t push ourselves to aim for more.
In my opinion we spend far too much time in our comfort zone, and stagnation creeps in. “Good enough” often becomes an excuse for not trying new things.
True adventure lies just beyond the safety net. Predictable outcomes are not the avenue to growth.
“Fine” is the Enemy of Growth
I really dislike “fine.”
We often settle for “fine” or “okay” because it’s easier than confronting dissatisfaction. But mediocrity is a thief—it steals the opportunity to strive for more. As Jim Collins wrote, “Good is the mortal enemy of great.”
I prefer to reflect on what I truly value, and live in alignment with those values.
In many workshops, I present the ADVENTURE-10 framework. Every goal or activity in that framework is about saying yes to something greater than just “good enough.” It’s about living a life filled with rich, intentional experiences rather than settling for an average existence.
The Virtue of Deliberate Decision-Making
Stoics like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius emphasized the importance of conscious, deliberate living. They believed that the quality of our lives is determined by the quality of our thoughts and choices.
Choosing seven, in essence, is like not really choosing at all.
Forcing people to pick a number other than seven compels them to be mindful and deliberate. It requires self-awareness—an evaluation of “Is this really how I feel?” rather than a default, automatic response. It echoes the stoic practice of praemeditatio malorum—visualizing challenges and making thoughtful choices rather than living on autopilot.
The Importance of an Honest Evaluation
When I ask for “No Sevens,” I’m asking people to make a real assessment. Did they love it (8-10)? Did they feel it needs improvement (1-6)? This forces the respondent to choose between satisfaction and dissatisfaction. This forces them to improve the experiences of future audiences by helping me get better.
If we approach our lives with the same mindset—constantly evaluating and refusing to settle for “good enough”—we are more likely to seek growth, change, and transformation. This is at the heart of my work here at Crooked Trail Coaching.
Take a look at your own patterns.
Are you settling for good enough?
How would you evaluate your career, your relationships, your personal health, or your adventures? Any sevens in there?
Where are you choosing safety, and where are you taking risks?
If you find yourself stuck at a seven in life, let’s have a conversation. Together, we can explore what it would take to move beyond ‘good enough’ and create a life that’s a solid ten on your terms.
