I was recently reminded of something I heard at a seminar and decided that the message was so powerful that it was worth sharing here. The seminar was given to a group of mothers. However, I personally think that the context is irrelevant. I believe the message conveyed at the seminar to be (almost) universally true.
We all give our 100%. Always.
The thing is – what that 100% is changes day by day. On some days we just are not capable of doing as much as we could the day, the week, or the month before. On other days, we find that we can do more. But we always give our 100% to everything we do.
Some might point out that they feel “lazy” and therefore conclude that they are not giving their 100%. Laziness tends to be portrayed as a negative and undesirable quality yet few may question whether it may be an adaptive one.
In certain contexts, laziness may allow us to relax and relieve the pressures of daily life, which may in turn help us to function in a better way. Therefore, whatever input we give that moment or that day would have to take into consideration that we need some time off. However, that does not mean that you are not giving your 100%.
Sometimes, other factors may explain how much energy we are able to invest in a given day. For example, we may not always get enough sleep, or we may be pre-occupied by a deadline that needs to be me, or a child that is sick. It doesn’t mean you aren’t giving everything you’ve got – it just means you have less to give that day. And that’s ok.
If you are dealing with larger issues than typical day to day stresses, such as depression or feelings of anxiety that can interfere with your ability to give more or to carry out your daily activities, there are treatment approaches that can help you work toward increasing your personal potential.
But keep in mind that hoping for more in the future doesn’t mean you are not doing enough now.
So give it all you’ve got.
About the Author:
Dr Chow is a licensed clinical psychologist with a private clinic in Saint-Laurent (Montreal) and in Saint-Lambert on the South Shore. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Concordia University. She is also a member of the Order of Psychologists of Quebec.