What is a best practice, really?
We live in a world of infinite possibilities. Everyone, everywhere, in every domain seems to have an idea or answer for us. It’s nearly impossible to quickly determine the “best” course of action.
Thus the dark side of the information reveals itself: Advice Overload. And when we’re surrounded by too much advice, and by infinite possibilities, the most valuable skill we can develop is knowing how to vet them. But we don’t really have a system for doing that, and so we use a shortcut for that system called the best practice.
All a best practice really is, when you think about it, is a possibility that’s been previously vetted.
Sometimes, it’s been vetted by you. Most times, however, it’s been vetted by someone else. Either way, the context is different now: time has passed, or YOU aren’t THEM. Something is no longer correct about claiming that the best practice is indeed the best approach.
When we rely on best practices, we make decisions based on what works “on average.” But we don’t want to be average.
When others teach best practices, they teach what works “in general.” But we don’t operate in a generality. Crucial variables found within YOUR unique situation must be considered when making choices. Otherwise, we’re running faulty equations which omit key variables. To be anything more than average, we can’t rely on generalities. We need to tailor our choices to our specific situations.
I’m not saying best practices can’t get you started. I’m not saying they can’t work well, either. But I am suggesting that best practices are, at best, approximations of what we should do. When we use them, we’re hoping they approximate our specific reality so closely that we do something well. We’re hoping that the key variables inside our situations — like you, your customers, and your resources — don’t actually matter. We are hoping that an answer which is “close enough” yields results that aren’t merely “good enough.”
Turns out best practices aren’t answers, though. They’re possibilities — and they must be vetted by each of us within our unique situations. Who wants to rely on “close enough” or do work that’s “good enough”?
It’s time to trust ourselves more than the “experts.” It’s time to put our firsthand evidence ahead of secondhand generalities.
Don’t reject best practices. Question them. Vet them yourself, today, for your current context and no one else’s.
A best practice is just a possibility that’s been previously vetted. Just ensure the person who does the vetting is you.
— — —
If you’re not a subscriber, join the email list to get 3-5 short ideas like this each week.
If you’re able, please consider supporting what I do by purchasing a book. Every purchase or referral to my book helps me stay independent as a creator. Thanks!