“Are you doing your best?” I would hear growing up. Of course I would answer “Yes!”, but I am not so sure my parents believed me when they would see my algebra grade. Was I doing my best? Or was I doing enough to just get by? I think back on that and I can ask myself that question on so many things in my life. My grades, my dedication to work, my parenting, being a good mom and wife…have I been doing my best or just getting by?
I think in different times and seasons of our lives we tend to just get by, not on purpose, but because of circumstance. My life was so busy when our kids were involved in sports in and outside of school. I swear (I can’t believe I am admitting this) we lived out of “clean laundry mountain.” I was doing just good enough to have those clothes cleaned and ready for practice and school, not to mention clothes for me and my husband. Did I really need to fold them? We had wrinkle spray!!! Was that my 100%? Probably not - probably about 80% and that’s passing, right? I probably could have done better, but I can’t go back and change it now. What I CAN do is approach it differently now. Am I doing the best I can? If not, I need to start by giving a little more effort!
What does give a little more even mean?
Well, what if we all did just 7% extra? When I am doing laundry, I should wash, dry, AND fold them +7%. When I’ve been studying for about an hour and I want to quit, I should study for 10 more minutes +7%. When I apply for a job, I need to follow up to see if my application was received +7! When I am doing dishes, wash AND put them away +7%. When I am cleaning our room up, I should clean our bathroom too! Doing a little more will not kill me! OR YOU! In fact, I think we will be grateful later when the clothes are already folded (and put up), the dishes are up, we are a little more prepared for a test or WE LAND THAT JOB!!!!!
Don’t be satisfied with the status quo or mediocre effort! We should always give it our best. With things we are passionate about, we would NEVER be mediocre! We are blessed by so much in our lives (challenging as it may be). Do we even notice that? Instead, it seems if we don’t get our way or something is too hard we find excuses and pout and blame others. We need to look for another way and push harder to be our best!
Let’s try by pushing ourselves to work 7% extra harder each day- get up 7% earlier, be 7% kinder to people, become 7% smarter. Don’t be satisfied with not doing your best. The extra 7% will become a habit and you can build up 7% more! Soon…. That will be 14% extra effort and WOW LOOK AT YOU! Great things will start happening!
Find that one thing to start with and add your 7% extra today!
Are you doing your best? What are things you could be doing better with in your life? This week choose one task and journal about it and how you will give 7% more to it! I know you can do it! You weren’t meant to be mediocre - YOU were meant to be GREAT!