There’s a well-known story about Henry Kissinger, the former US Secretary of State. He asked his aide to write a report. The aide handed in a draft, and Kissinger took it away as if he were going to read it. Later, he simply returned and asked, “Is that the best you can do?”
Thinking Kissinger had spotted something wrong, the aide said no and took the draft back to improve it. This happened over and over again. Nine times, in fact. Each time, Kissinger would collect the new draft, stay silent, and then return with the same question. Finally, after the ninth version, worn out and frustrated, the aide said, “Yes. This is the best I can do.” Only then did Kissinger say, “Fine. I’ll read it.”
It turns out Kissinger hadn’t actually read any of the earlier drafts. Maybe a bit too harsh? Perhaps. But it forced the aide to reflect more deeply than he ever had before, pushing himself further than he thought possible to make sure he had truly done his best.
So, when it comes to your health and wellbeing, is this the best you can do?
Your body (including your mind) is your main instrument for making things happen. It's how you work, love, move, think, and help others. We’ve said it before. No matter what your net worth in assets is, they'll all matter very little when you lose your most important asset: your health. As I wrote in a previous article, most, if not all, of us juggle lots of problems on any given day. But when a serious health issue strikes, suddenly we only have one.
So take a moment and ask yourself: whatever you're doing right now to look after yourself, is it really your best?
Doing your best doesn’t mean being perfect. It doesn’t mean living like a monk or hitting the gym six days a week. It simply means being honest with yourself. It's about being able to say, "Given everything happening in my life, this is genuinely the best I can do right now." It's also important to remember that trying your best isn’t about having perfect conditions. Circumstances and effort are two different things. You might be busy, tired, stretched thin, but your best is still available to you, in whatever capacity you have today.
Maybe you tell yourself, “I'm doing this for my family, my work, the people who count on me.” That’s noble, but is sacrificing your wellbeing really what they would want? Most of the time, the people who care about you would much rather have you healthy, happy, and thriving than burnt out and broken. And if anyone truly prefers what you give them over you being well, then maybe that's worth thinking about too.
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It's one of the most generous things you can do for those you care about. When you're well, you can give your best to everything and everyone around you.
You are your own ‘Golden Goose’. If you fall apart, the good you bring into the world falls apart too. So move a little more. Eat a little better. Sleep a little longer. Laugh a little louder. Take small steps that honour your body and mind.
That's what living your best life really looks like.
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