Is Giving Your Best Enough?
Stephen King’s first novel, “Carrie,” was rejected 30 times before it was finally published.
J. K. Rowling received endless rejections before her first Harry Potter book was published.
Oprah Winfrey, the daughter of two unmarried teenagers, grew up in poverty and suffered from sexual abuse before becoming one of the most influential women in the world.
I have always been told that when I give my best at something, I will achieve it. And if I do not, then there is nothing I can do about it, because I gave my best.
I was told that by my parents, closest friends, and teachers. It started to become something I regularly told myself. I wasn’t afraid of failing anymore.
Giving my best served as a justification for not succeeding. It took away the responsibility for my failures because I thought there was nothing more I could do than give my best.
When I did not receive the grade that I aimed for, I told myself that I had studied hard enough, so that this grade was the best I could do. When I did not do well in my sport, I reminded myself of how hard I had trained. Being defeated was less relevant because it was not up to me — I had given my best.
