The Good Enough Job

Your job doesn’t have to define your life—it’s okay for work to be just good enough.

1. Work is not your identity

In today’s world, we conflate our self-worth with the work we do. This phenomenon, known as workism, convinces us that a job must be our life’s purpose. But treating work as a cornerstone of identity often leads to burnout and disappointment, as jobs can fail to meet these unrealistic demands.

Simone Stolzoff tells us that the pressure to seek fulfillment only through a career is misguided. The author highlights the journey of Dhivya Singh, a celebrated chef. Initially, Dhivya found meaning in her work, but as pressures grew, so did her misery. It wasn’t until she stepped away and recalibrated her life that she rediscovered true happiness outside of her career.

Trying to make your work your sole source of value is risky because jobs change, businesses falter, and priorities shift. Instead, Stolzoff emphasizes that your sense of self should come from a broader set of experiences and values—friends, passions, hobbies, and community.

Examples

• Chef Dhivya Singh left an intense partnership to prioritize her mental well-being.
• Stolzoff mentions stories of professionals who suffered burnout from seeing work as their primary identity.
• Psychologist Janna Koretz discusses clients struggling with self-worth after hitting career goals.

2. The cultural shift toward "workism"

Work hours in the US have increased, and with them, the expectation that careers should provide meaning. Stolzoff highlights how former sources of purpose, like religion or community, are being replaced by the workplace.

Social scientist Ryan Burge provides a stark example with findings from a religious survey. Many Americans are moving away from organized religion and instead seeking identity and purpose at work. This shift burdens workplaces with fulfilling roles traditionally held by spiritual or social communities.

Despite this trend, Stolzoff warns against over-reliance on work. While jobs can provide some satisfaction, they lack the richness and depth of community engagement, creativity, and connection.

Examples

• Ryan Burge discovered that Americans now find purpose in jobs rather than religion.
• Millennials are increasingly isolated, substituting workplace belonging for traditional community ties.
• Stolzoff connects this shift to broad burnout trends in industries like tech and media.

3. Burnout is a real consequence

Burnout is what happens when we overestimate work’s power to fulfill us and underestimate its toll on well-being. Extreme dedication to one’s job comes at the expense of personal health and relationships.

Dhivya Singh burned out as her responsibilities grew overwhelming. Megan Greenwell, another example shared by Stolzoff, achieved extraordinary success as a journalist. However, growing stress and disconnection from personal passions forced her to step back from a high-profile editor role to reclaim balance.

When we put all our energy into work, we risk neglecting our personal lives. Stolzoff encourages us to distribute our time and energy across multiple aspects of life to better avoid wearing out.

Examples

• Megan Greenwell stepped down from her career to combat burnout.
• Dhivya Singh took intentional time off, including a trip to Thailand, to recover.
• Stolzoff shares advice on recognizing burnout symptoms and reprioritizing accordingly.

4. Time sanctuaries spark personal growth

One way to separate ourselves from workism is by carving out time sanctuaries—periods dedicated to activities outside of professional life. These moments encourage exploration and self-discovery without any pressure for productivity.

Psychologist Janna Koretz advises that high achievers—in particular—should spend unstructured time reconnecting with themselves. For example, Megan Greenwell’s break from work helped her rediscover hobbies and reflect on her identity outside of journalism.

Time sanctuaries don’t demand you drop everything; they challenge you to pause and reassess. These pauses allow you to explore interests and values without a professional lens.

Examples

• Megan Greenwell reflected on personal goals during a sabbatical.
• Stolzoff underscores hobbies as vital outlets for creativity without work-related goals.
• Time away from work also improved Dhivya’s connections with her hobbies.

5. Community counts more than a job

Humans thrive in social groups, yet many workers depend on their offices for community. Stolzoff points out that relying solely on colleagues for social connection leaves individuals vulnerable to emotional and professional instability.

Drawing from history, the author notes that religious institutions, like churches, once provided community connections. Today, fewer people participate in organized religion, and this gap is often filled with workplace “families.”

Rather than letting work dominate your social life, Stolzoff suggests diversifying your ties. Forming friendships, joining groups, or engaging in meaningful communities strengthens support systems beyond the job market’s control.

Examples

• Social scientist Ryan Burge discussed a rise in workplace dependency to replace religious communities.
• Colleagues at Kickstarter saw their "second family" disrupted during controversies.
• Stolzoff advises engaging in outside groups, from bands to dinner clubs.

6. Capitalism complicates close-knit workplaces

Kickstarter's story reveals the dangers of blurring professional and familial lines at work. Taylor Moore initially felt at home in a corporate “family,” yet conflicts around company decisions revealed its limitations.

Kickstarter employees deeply cared about the company’s mission, but management made decisions that alienated them. When workers unionized, several were fired, exposing a harsh truth: work and family should not be considered synonymous.

Stolzoff reminds us that every job, no matter how caring its culture, exists within a capitalist framework. Recognizing the boundaries between professional and emotional ties can spare us unexpected heartbreak.

Examples

• Kickstarter staff formed a union to fight management’s decisions but faced dismissals.
• Employees misunderstood the limitations of corporate “family” ties during controversies.
• Stolzoff contrasts personal bonds with professional pragmatism.

7. Workism starts early in life

Ambition often begins during adolescence, where success metrics from grades to college admissions shape early notions of self-worth. Megan Greenwell started her journalism career in high school, viewing newsprint achievements as key markers of identity.

By the time Megan was an adult, this mindset had led her to burnout. She realized her identity had been tied to her career goals for too long, obscuring other dimensions of her life.

Stolzoff critiques this cultural emphasis on early career success and encourages parents, educators, and students to reconsider how self-worth is taught.

Examples

• Megan Greenwell started working toward career milestones in her teens.
• Stolzoff explains why defining identity by professional achievement fails long-term.
• Addressing workism in high school may prevent adult disillusionment.

8. Hobbies without pressure

One theme Stolzoff emphasizes is the need for play without deliverables. Many professionals turn hobbies into side hustles or goal-driven activities. Unstructured leisure time can offer needed relief and joy.

When Megan Greenwell took a break from her career, she learned hobbies could be therapeutic if left untouched by professional aspirations. This lesson inspired her and readers alike to value curiosity without monetary or career aims.

Finding spaces for playful experimentation isn’t just relaxing; it also nourishes mental health.

Examples

• Megan Greenwell reclaimed hobbies as liberating, not labor-focused.
• Stolzoff highlights unstructured creativity as essential life nourishment.
• Casual activities—like casual sports or gardening—can be deeply fulfilling.

9. A “good enough” job is enough

At the heart of Stolzoff’s argument lies the concept of the “good enough job.” Inspired by parenting theories, it encourages viewing work through a healthier, less perfectionistic lens.

Instead of chasing dream jobs or tying worth to promotions, Stolzoff reminds readers that a job can be a means to an end. It’s a structure that supports other areas of life, like travel, family, and leisure.

This mindset can reduce career-related stress and help restore balance to one’s life.

Examples

• Stolzoff shares Dhivya’s second career chapter, which incorporates balance.
• Kickstarter employees who detached themselves emotionally after setbacks adjusted better.
• A “good enough” job mindset enables more meaningful non-work pursuits.

Takeaways

1. Set aside time each week for activities unrelated to work to nurture other aspects of your identity.
2. Seek out communities or hobbies outside of your job to build relationships that aren’t dependent on workplace dynamics.
3. Learn to see work as just one part of life—adopt the “good enough job” philosophy and strive for balance.