It started with a need. I wanted a TV stand.

But it wasn’t that simple. The TV had to fit in a corner cupboard; nothing available was wide enough, deep enough, tall enough, or angled correctly. Lean inspired me not to settle or keep searching, so I decided to build one. I measured, sourced materials, and assembled a custom, corner-ready stand. Fit for purpose, exactly what I needed. It worked for a while!

When “Good Enough” becomes a problem

Over time, things changed, the cupboard and TV changed and the way we used the space changed.

But the stand stayed, and the issues showed—not cracks, but functional problems.

• It was awkward to clean around.
• I kept catching my elbow on the edge.
• The TV angle wasn’t right, especially when I was on my stepper.
• Visually, it bugged me every time I walked past.

But I kept using it, because I made it. It was easier to leave it alone—until enough irritation made me ask, "Why am I still putting up with this?"

And when I finally got a proper replacement? Relief.

Which immediately led to my next thought: "Why didn’t I do this earlier?"

To be fair, the original business case for making it was solid because I couldn’t find anything that fitted the space well and buying something would still require compromise!   So, in true Lean fashion, I assessed:

• Purpose – Clear
• Value – High
• Effort – Justified

That was a strong case for “build over buy,” until it wasn’t fit for purpose anymore—and I kept it anyway.

Why do we tolerate  'good enough'

It wasn’t just sunk cost bias (though that played a part). I delayed replacing it because it was still "good enough." It became invisible, despite its inconvenience.

This is exactly where most people get stuck, in the comfort of the status quo.

The pain isn’t unbearable enough,  so we do nothing.

We put up with something that irritates us just enough to notice, but not enough to take action. Until one day, it pushes too far.

That elbow bash that makes you snap. The visual clutter that finally tips you into “I can’t stand this anymore.”

This happens everywhere. We keep outdated systems at work because “we’ve always done it this way” or stick with inefficient processes no one wants to challenge. We hold onto bad purchases because admitting a mistake feels harder than living with them.

But here’s the Lean truth: If something is no longer fit for purpose, it’s already costing you more than replacing it.

The frustration, inefficiency, and wasted effort of holding onto the wrong thing add up. And the bigger the waste, the bigger the cost, in time, energy, and money.

Lean Thinking: Recognising pain earlier

Here’s the shift. When you wear Lean glasses, you start to notice those little irritations much earlier.

You don’t wait for frustration. You notice wasted motion, flow interruptions, and the emotional reactions you have every time you use the thing.

And that triggers a new response:

"Is this still giving me value?" "Is the cost of keeping it now greater than the effort to change it?" That’s when the business case for change builds itself. Not because you’re frustrated, but because you’ve measured the waste.

Solving the problem

Eventually, it did get to me. Not dramatically or explosively, but just enough times until I finally said, "I’m not putting up with this anymore."

I replaced it. I bought something that worked for the new space, a new TV, and new habits.

And the relief was instant, with the flow restored, and the visual irritation was gone. No more elbow knocks or cleaning awkwardness.

And the next thought? "Why didn’t I do this sooner?"

The Lean Takeaway: Don’t Wait for the Pain

Often, we wait until problems are unbearable. Lean Thinking trains you to spot even subtle interruptions to flow—those micro-annoyances or small wastes of time, effort, or energy—before they grow.

When you catch those things early, you can build the business case before frustration builds up. Next time you catch yourself putting up with something inefficient, ask:

• If I were making a business case, would I justify keeping this?
• What is the real cost of NOT fixing this?
• How much longer am I willing to let this annoy me?

Because once you finally replace it, whether it’s a process, a tool, or a TV stand, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

Your Turn: What Have You Put Up With for Too Long?

What’s your TV stand moment?

• A system at work that clearly needs an update?
• A household item that annoys you daily but you haven’t replaced yet?
• A decision you’ve put off because it feels easier to deal with frustration than to fix it?