People will regularly suggest that one should do one’s best.

It’s an interesting concept. How do you do your best? How do you know it is your best?

One way is to wait until the outcome shows itself. This is the route of the inner critic, of judgment, and of unfulfilled expectations.

Another way is to welcome the possibility of failing as one possible outcome. It is a posture in which nothing is taken for granted, and the outcome still comes as a surprise. However, it’s not a surprise based on the idea that what one tried to achieve was out of reach. More out of being so present to what one does, that the outcome surprises one as it becomes visible.

It’s a surprise that allows one to disconnect from having standards one is expected to fulfill. But where one has the confidence that one can fulfill high standards. And a confidence that is based on a clear knowledge of one’s existing experience and ability to perform.

This gives some approximation of what “doing your best” could mean for you. But it might just as well be that you have a different take on it. That’s great as it means that you’ve thought about your way to implement it.