Am I Doing Enough?

"How do you write like you're running out of time?

Write day and night like you're running out of time?

Every day you fight, like you're running out of time

Like you're running out of time

Are you running out of time?"

-Lyrics From Non-Stop in the musical Hamilton

I've recently been engaging in some dialogue online about the Problems in the World, and the Changes that need to happen.

Many of the points of the Discussion are extremely Difficult.

They are rooted in Systems that are Hard to fully See, Understand, and Impact on a Meaningful Level, especially in the Short Term.

Most of what is being discussed are things that I want to see Positively Changed in the World, and I try to Impact in ways that I'm able.

But the lyrics from this song continue to run in the back of my mind...

Are you running out of time?

Are you running out of time?

Are you running out of time?

It reminds me of the ticking of a clock in a silent room.

You hear it, knowing what is about to come.

Tik...

Tok...

Tik...

Tok...

It is only a matter of time before the Clock Strikes Midnight.

When it reaches, what sound will it make?

Will it be a resounding "Boom" of Triumph?

Or will it echo with the sound of "Doom"?

You Failed.

You had the Chance and Did Not Do Enough.

It reminded me of an article that I wrote in February called "Melancholy On The March To Progress".

The truth is that some of my articles are often written to myself equally as much as I write them to others.

Even after re-reading that to myself, Knowing that these feelings are a Call to Action...

It doesn't necessarily make the Feelings any "Easier" to Experience.

Yesterday, I wrote about how Perfectionism exists on a Scale, and that there is a Helpful form called "Perfectionistic Strivings" and a Detrimental form called "Perfectionistic Concerns".

When it comes to the Question, "Am I Doing Enough?", I find myself somewhere in the Middle.

There are things I have done that I am Incredibly Proud of in Efforts to Push Forward, and Smaller Goals along the way that I am Excited by.

A great example of that was the "Change The World Impact Project #1" which I consider a Resounding "Boom" of Success and exists closer to Perfectionistic Strivings.

But the Melancholy, and the Fear, and the Concern, that exists within the Question, "Am I Doing Enough?"

That puts me on the Dangerous Ledge of Perfectionistic Concerns.

Putting the Onus on Yourself to Create Change.

Knowing that these Changes can "Never" be Accomplished by a Single Individual, let alone a Small Group.

Understanding that we are not looking at a Single Challenge with a Simple Solution, but a series of Multiple, Highly Intricate, Highly Interrelated Problems that function as Stress Chains.

Seeing the Potential Far-Reaching, Long-Term Impacts that Will Occur if a Wrong Solution is made, while Simultaneously Knowing that Action Is Still Needed.

Looking at History, Knowing that there will Still be Problems, even if we "Solve" All our Current Challenges.

It brings a Question to Mind...

Does it Ever End?

It feels like Standing on a Ledge overlooking Oblivion, the Wind Blowing Hard, and if it blows "Just" right...

Even if I did "Everything" in my Power, "Could" it Ever be "Enough"?

It is a Daunting Question that seems to Answer itself in many ways...

Yet at the Same Time it "Completely" Misses the Point.

"Enough" is an Impossible Goal that Doesn't Help Anyone.

The Truth is that there may Never be "Enough".

But if that is the Thought that Controls your Actions, You will "Never" Do Anything.

It is Self-Defeatist, and Psychologically, Humans would rather Succeed at Failing than Fail at Succeeding.

The Question we should be Asking Ourselves is "Not" Whether You Are or Aren't Doing "Enough", whatever that means.

What are the Questions we "Should" Ask?

Am I Doing "Something"?

Am I Doing What "Is" In My Power Today?

Am I Making "Some" Progress toward the Positive Change I Want to See in the World?

If "Everyone" did Something that "Was" in their Power, and made "Some" Daily Progress toward it, we could More Easily Design a Better World.

However, "Everyone" is Not in "Our" Control.

We can "Only" Control Ourselves.

So that is where We Must Focus.

Focus on "Your" Progress, Doing What "You" Can with what Is in "Your" Control, Every Day.

The Clock is indeed Ticking...

Tik...

Tok...

Tik...

Tok...

Let's make Sure that whenever the Bells Ring, we Hear the Beautifully Resounding "Boom" of Triumph.