Growing up, one of the most impactful lessons my parents taught me was simple yet powerful. It was to always do my best. It didn’t matter if I was the top performer or the fastest, as long as I did my best every time. Whether it was a school project, a household chore, or a commitment to a team, they encouraged me to give it everything I had. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the significance of those words, but I certainly do now.
The environment today surrounds us with messages urging us to be more, do more, and achieve more. But amid all the noise, the quiet discipline of consistently doing our best stands out. It’s a timeless principle that can transform our careers, relationships, and even our own self-worth.
Going all in
Doing our best doesn’t mean being perfect. It means showing up fully with the time, energy, and mindset we have in the moment while being present.
It’s not about comparing ourself to others, it’s about comparing ourself with ourself.
When we fully commit to something, even in small doses, we build a sense of integrity and self-respect. Whether it’s one hour a week or a full-time pursuit, doing our best within the boundaries of our commitment is what matters.
Before committing to anything, ask yourself 3 things
- Am I willing to give this my best effort
- Do I have the time and mental capacity to commit fully
- When I achieve this, how will I know I am being successful
Doing your best requires being intentional, present, and consistent
Choosing goals that deserve our best
We all have limited time and energy. That’s why goal-setting should be thoughtful. Choose up to 3 areas of life that truly matter and where growth will make a meaningful impact. Aim for excellence, not perfection
10 important areas to consider
- Relationships
- Career/Business
- Health
- Fitness
- Finances
- Self-care
- Community Service
- Adventure
- Personal Development
- Spirituality
Some reflection questions to guide you might be
If I did my best in my profession, I would regularly …….
I would stop doing………
I would start doing…….
If I were the best partner I could be, I would … What would I need to do to achieve that?
2 important factors
- Goals that are aligned with core values bring a higher level of well-being and fulfilment.
- People with a growth mindset are more likely to achieve success
If you’re not sure what are important core values currently, think of 3 that make sense to you.
Examples of core values
Honesty, freedom, kindness, flexibility, courage, integrity, respect, creativity, compassion
Celebration:
Often, we reflect on the past month or year and focus on what we didn’t accomplish. Instead look at what has been achieved, where progress and a difference has been made. It’s very easy to shrug off and not acknowledge where skills have been mastered or where there have been improvements. What have you achieved recently that you are proud of? Where did you do your best?
When you brush your teeth at night, reflect on what you have accomplished that day. Even if the results weren’t perfect, that’s ok because you did your best. Stay away from negatives as there will always be more to do the next day.
Doing your best as a leader
Whether you’re a team leader, business owner, teacher or parent our actions ripple outwards to others and have an effect. Leadership is about making a difference to others and with it comes a sense of responsibility. It’s about inspiring excellence in others through our behavior – Lead by example.
- Mind our language- What we can think of as helpful feedback can sometimes come across as discouraging. What we say from our perspective we see as helpful criticism, yet to others, it could be interpreted as being negative and leaving them wondering ‘why should I bother’. Replace wording such as “that’s not good enough” with mentoring and inclusion, ask, “ how do you think this could can be improved on for next time” My dad was often a cheer leader for my excellence and yet from my perspective as a child interpreted what he said as ‘It’s not good enough’
The Harvard Business review in 2023 reported that employees were four times more likely to be engaged when their managers provided constructive and encouraging feedback,
- Don’t hold back important information- Assume less and communicate more. Imaging this: A son asks to wash his father’s car. The father gives him the bucket and sponge but forgets to say ‘use the soft side of the sponge’. The result is a scratched-up car. Often missing details in leadership cause misunderstands and not malice.
ACTION STEP: Before delegating or giving feedback, ask yourself is there a key detail I think they already know.
- Manage emotions- when we’re angry we speak faster with monotone and an intensity that can be intimidating. Leaders must be mindful of emotional intelligence not just for professionalism and respect but to build trust and safety in the work environment. Take a pause before speaking, give yourself space to talk in a calm voice with a clear head. Think of what you’re aiming to achieve before you speak.
A study by TalentSmart found that 90% of top performers are high in emotional intelligence (EQ).
Excellence and doing your best is a habit, not an event. In Aesop’s’ Fables the tortoise won, not because he was fast, but because he was consistent. Doing your best day in and day out is how habits are formed and the success will then compound. If you aim to do your best daily in small ways you will build a solid foundation for an outstanding life. What kind of person do you want to be or become? It’s about being someone who inspires and motivates others and making your life and those around you better.
If you’re looking for a great book to read, The 1% Solution by Tom Connellian is a good read on this topic.
If you have a thought on this blog, please share the comment and let’s build a community of excellence together.