When I was growing up I was always encouraged to ‘do the best I could do’ in whatever activity I was engaged in. (I doubt that any parent would encourage their child to be mediocre or do only enough to get by or to do as badly as possible.) As a result, I think that I felt that I could do anything I really wanted to do. I also think that I was never raised to play it safe – discovery/adventure/experimenting was encouraged. At least that’s what I remember.
Since I was encouraged to experiment, to discover I learned that I really wasn’t superior in all things. Actually that’s not a bad learning for a child. My only admonishment was to do the best I could. As long as I could say that I tried then I could enjoy the things I was really good at, as well as the things I really wasn’t good at… and everything on that continuum. If I did the best that I could then I could discover those areas I was better at but not discouraged from involving myself in the things I wasn’t as good at.
I think the key consideration was to enjoy whatever I was doing. The reason for this was that you tend to be more open and aware of the lessons the activity had to offer when you have a positive attitude. At least for me, my learning style is such that the subtleties of the lessons learned are retained far better when I am enjoying the process than when I am stressed.
Did I always do the best I could? Of course not…. but more often than not. If I didn’t I really didn’t know if the activity was one I could self-improve on. The ones that I did try to do the best were the ones that mirrored the values my family held….such as education. I really did enjoy school and was rewarded by excelling. But even in those areas I wasn’t a standout in, I still enjoyed the experience. Learning, for me, was a way of life not just a passing interest.
I would encourage everyone to really do the best you can do. I’d also encourage you to encourage others. In both situations you’ll never wonder if you could have done better (more).
