"The Truth About “Doing Your Best”
“Just do your best” sounds wise—but whose best? What standard? And at what cost? Sometimes “best” becomes a moving target that fuels exhaustion. Here’s how to reset the phrase so it empowers instead of drains.
Why “Best” Feels Heavy
- No clear finish line—so you never feel done.
- Comparison warps standards (your best vs. someone else’s highlight reel).
- Different seasons = different capacity. Best in burnout ≠ best in balance.
Redefine Best in Context
- By energy: “Best today is showing up for 20 minutes, not 2 hours.”
- By role: student vs. friend vs. caregiver—each has different baselines.
- By season: finals week vs. recovery week call for different standards.
Set “Good Enough” Markers
- Tier A: absolute musts (food, bills, sleep).
- Tier B: important but flexible (study, exercise, social).
- Tier C: extras (deep cleaning, side projects).
Self-Talk Swaps
- From “I should give 100% always” → To “I’ll match effort to energy.”
- From “Best means perfect” → To “Best means sustainable.”
- From “I failed” → To “I adapted.”
Final Thoughts
Doing your best isn’t about maximising effort; it’s about matching effort to energy and values. Define best kindly—or it defines you harshly.
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