Which way do you go when both seem right?

Here's a brief, and not-in-any-way complete history of thought around quality:

• John D. Rockefeller was born today in 1839. He once said, "Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great."

• In 2001, Jim Collins wrote the hit management book, "Good to Great." This book would describe "great" companies such as Philip Morris, Kroger, Wells Fargo, and the like.  

• Also, in 2001, a bunch of developers developed the "Agile Manifesto," where the primary measure of progress is "working software."  

• In 2017 a boss told me, "Don't sacrifice the good for the great."  

In my mind, there are two competing ideas - do we work in pursuit of greatness? Or do we seek progress?  

Can't it be both?

I submit that the pursuit of either can become confusing. Is it better to be great? Or good? Am I losing one thing if I give up on the other?

Our culture likes to complicate. Humans are well adept, dare I say "great," at producing layers of complexity over simple issues. I propose a simple way of looking at the work we do:

• Does the person I seek to serve need what I have created for them?

• How will my creation change their life for the better?

• Am I proud of what I've done?

At the end of the day, our goal is to do be invited to do more of the things that make us come alive.  

To do that, we need to stop thinking about doing things "great" or "good." How about we focus on, "Did I make a difference today?" and "Am I proud of the difference I made?"  

If you can answer yes, then you were productive, and you had a day well spent.  

Rest and be content.