Martha Beck's Q Quotient Errors

O, The Oprah Magazine | From the Summer 2007 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

Finding Your Quality Sweet Spot

Achieving a balance between the three Cs ensures that you'll get maximum enjoyment from the things in your home—and that your possessions will retain their beauty and usefulness. You can strike this balance by seeking one more C: financial, conceptual, and corporeal comfort .

Before buying anything for your home, whether paper cups or roofing, ask yourself three questions:

Am I spending enough to feel that I'm treating myself well, but not so much that I feel the manic panic of the compulsive shopper?
Do I like the things my mind associates with this object, or do the concepts feel shallow and soulless?
Am I striking a balance between what my body enjoys and the need to connect with culture and fashion?

If you can answer yes to all three questions, then you've got a winner. You've defined high quality for yourself—a very valuable skill.

Take the quiz and find your quality IQ!