If something is worth doing, then it’s worth doing well
Sherri T.
My mother was always pushing us to do our best − and even better. I remember clearly her words: “If something is worth doing, then it’s worth doing well.”
She was right. Take pride in what you do and what you’ve accomplished. Don’t be mediocre – do your best.
Yet sometimes I think the words that are pushing you to do your best can easily become the words that are pushing you.
When does “do your best” become “is that the best you can do?”
Like the time I got a 98 percent score on my test. “You weren’t feeling well that day? You didn’t understand the material? You didn’t study hard enough?”
Of course, these words were said in jest. At least, I think they were.
I realize now that “doing your best” can be a slippery slope. It can easily lead to doing more – and more.
In retrospect, it wasn’t easy to live with that constant pressure of doing everything well. It seems like there is a very fine line between doing your best/neurotic perfection. And sometimes I don’t know which side I’m on.
In fact, many of us now need to learn how to get off our own backs.
We have to stop trying to do everything and being all things to all people. We need to stop pegging everything to a standard that may not be achievable – or at least not necessary.
Unfortunately, self-help literature, talk shows and women’s magazines swamp us daily with “you-can-be-better” messages. The implication, of course, is that we’re not good enough as we are.
Women are now being encouraged to “lean in” in order to be successful in all facets of our lives.
Yet leaning in to our work, our home and our relationships can make for leaning over – with exhaustion.
Leaning in also involves a bit of a blame game. It’s your fault if you don’t jump at all the options that come your way.
My mother was absolutely right to say: “If something is worth doing, then it’s worth doing well.” I realize now that her words needed just one more sentence: “You will know when things are good enough.”