Nobody wants second place. What does that really mean? Simply put – it means you didn’t win and capture first place, which is a disappointment for sure. However, there is some real solace and true comfort to know that you really did give your best effort and did everything you could possibly do.
That in of itself can and should be defined as an accomplishment. There is great value in doing your best. It really says a lot about who you are and what your makeup is. Giving all that you have, making the very best effort is a mark of success and cannot be minimized. If the performance is really 100% – you have to feel good about it. You earned that.
Character is a quality that needs to be recognized and people that give their all, have that quality. It’s a true sign of integrity. I see willpower in that and that shows courage. It is a true statement about your own identity. You have to be honest with yourself. Did you really go for it? It’s an important self-message.
Sometimes it’s just not good enough and, with exception, that’s OK. Sometimes the timing isn’t right. Sometime we just fall short. If you really made the effort and had your intentions in the right place, you can walk away knowing, “I did my best.’
Don’t be afraid to try more than once. Don’t be redundant but be relentless and be smart. If your game plan fails, despite such a great effort, as you consider trying again, remember to mix it up. Change tactics. Clearly, doing it the same way each time and coming up short speaks volumes that if it’s broken – fix it.
As you try and do your best, remember failure is always a possibility. If you fail, learn from it, keep a healthy mindscape and be confident that next time is going to be better. Remember, self-doubt will only get in the way of accomplishment and that’s not the way to ‘do your best’.
It’s hard work, but it’s always worth it to do your best. Perfection is worth pushing for. Trying your best IS perfect but we all know – nobody’s perfect.