‘Ish’, approximately, somewhat, or kind of. “‘Ish’ isn’t about half-arsing and not caring, or over-promising and under-delivering—it’s about knowing when the time is right to put yourself, your work, and your ideas ‘out there’, and it’ll be enough, for now.” In other words: be the best you can, just don’t sacrifice your personal life to achieve that best … ish!
Lynne Cazaly explores the cultural, societal, and social fixation with achievement, success, and excellence. At the same time, Cazaly challenges us to trust ourselves. She encourages us to make the most of our skills and how to be receptive to feedback, and not let “…any muck-ups or mistakes get the better of us.” Cazaly demonstrates how there is more to be gained when we put something that is less than perfect out there. Pausing, rectifying and improving it, then putting it out there again. “You can learn as much from what doesn’t work as what does”.
Stephen Hawking once said, “One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist. Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.”
So, in the sentiments shared by both Cazaly and Stephen Hawking, we should all become more comfortable with ‘ish’ instead of setting our sights on the impossible idea of perfection.
Our reviewer
John Apotsis is an EA at Finity Consulting
