When your best isn’t good enough, several emotions and thoughts drift into the mind. The logical thought says you did your best. It should provide a sense of comfort and wellbeing. You did your best, and that’s what counts, even if your best didn’t deliver the contract, award, or other objective.
You try to cling to the thought, but it’s a slippery rope. Your lose your grip, and—
The emotions attack. Sharp-edged rocks at the bottom of a canyon. They deliver a different message upon impact. They crowd in, grow larger than life, and say you’re an abject failure, a ruin, a complete waste of space. The emotions argue you didn’t try hard enough. They whisper to give up or to focus and work harder, focus and work harder.
The emotions are liars. You shouldn’t listen to them.
Stand to your feet.
Bandage the wounds.
Cradle your broken arm to your chest.
Deep breath. In and out, in and out.
Grab the rope.
Attach the carabiners and ascenders.
Set the wires.
Now, climb. Climb and leave the gorge, this place of death and lies. Climb to the top, crawl over the side, and breathe. Relish the deep-blue sky scudded with white. Pause, recall who you are and whose you are, and seek first aid.
Remember that you did your best, and your best — work done in a spirit of excellence — is always good enough. It delights the King of kings who calls you his son or daughter. Rest in that. Rest in that.
Image: Joshua Tree National Park (Creative Commons)