When you are at your best, you are really good. Others have experienced it and you know when you’ve done it. It is a fulfilling experience and others benefit. However, once done, a new standard is established and others expect it of you. The problem is that if you don’t recalibrate your standard, you disappoint people when you aren’t your best rather than delight them on the occasion when you are. The challenge is to be your best more consistently.

It reminds me of the experiment where people are asked to reach as high as they can and touch a place on the wall. Having marked it, they are asked to take another stab at it to see if they could reach higher. EVERYONE is able to reach higher; some noticeably so. Having marked the new touch, they are asked to try again to see if they can reach even higher. What happens? They do.

So why didn’t they just reach to the highest mark the first time? Discounting the benefit of stretching, it represents your efforts to be your best. You think you are, when in fact, you could do better because you’ve been better before.

Remember:

• Being your best isn’t being perfect. It’s being excellent for the situation, within the constraints of time, money and expected quality, etc.
• It does mean that you focus on it. You think about what you’re doing and challenge your standard.
• It does mean you plan for it. Being your best won’t come out of the blue. You intentionally make it happen.
• It does mean you won’t settle for less. Once your standard is to be your best, you commit to that standard

This week, when you do something, ask yourself if it is truly your best. Is there something that you could improve, expand or do better? Do it and then make it your new normal. From then on, be unwilling to settle for what once was your best, because it no longer is. And you WILL have a Great Week!