DO YOUR BEST

ALWAYS DO THINGS TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY

Never settle for second, my friend.

Friends.

Kids.

I don’t mean scratch and bite your way up to the top. That’s caveman mentality.

And I don’t mean cram or compete so you’re the top of the class just because you want to crow or because you need to boost your self-esteem.

Do it just for you and because you know what the best is that you can do.

Sounds clichéd?

Sometimes you have to push yourself. When you’re young, your parents might push you. You might not mind, or you might resent it terribly.

Either way, habits you set in childhood last with you into adulthood and are very difficult to break later on.

If you’re a go-getter from the start, then kudos to you.

Hmm, am I throwing too many big words at you?

Kudos – another word I love because of the way it is spelt and sounds.

This week pick one area, just one area, and do it to the best of your ability. It could be in your academics, but it doesn’t have to be. For instance you could put forth more effort in math class, in science, social studies, or your all-time favourite – English.

Or you could pick something like concentrating more for the whole week – in any subject.

Or maybe you want to pick something like being kind or friendly or smiley. Tell yourself you’re going to smile at everyone you see this week, whether it be a stranger in the street, a janitor, a teacher, or a student you’ve never met. The hardest smiles are the ones that aren’t returned, where someone looks at you like you’ve just landed from outer space. You want to swallow that smile and wish you’d never been so naïve in the first place. But don’t you worry. The ones who don’t smile back are the ones who need it the most.

Write me in the comments after the week is up and tell me what it was you decided to do to the best of your ability this week, and how it went.

There’s a satisfying crunch of dry leaves beneath your feet, raking the yard is not yet a chore, and Halloween decorations are starting to pop up in your neighbourhood.

Coming in a few weeks: Falling Into Fall – a 12-lesson, themed bundle about autumn. Look for it soon!