Day 49 of 100 Days of Hope
Always Do Your Best: A Path to Peace, Confidence, and Self-Compassion
“Under any circumstance, always do your best, no more and no less. But keep in mind that your best is never going to be the same from one moment to the next. Everything is alive and changing all the time, so your best will sometimes be high quality, and other times it will not be as good. Regardless of the quality, keep doing your best—no more and no less.”
— Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements
When I first read The Four Agreements, it was as if a light switched on in my heart. So many of the ideas in that little book shifted my perspective, but “Always Do Your Best” is the one that keeps coming back to me—again and again.
Because doing your best isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present.
Your Best Will Look Different Every Day
What does “doing your best” actually look like?
If you’re feeling inspired, healthy, and full of energy, your best might mean checking things off your list, connecting deeply with others, or sharing your gifts boldly.
But if you wake up with a cold, feel emotionally drained, or are moving through a hard season—your best might simply be getting out of bed, taking a shower, and breathing through the day.
And both are equally worthy.
When we stop comparing ourselves to our “best days” or to someone else’s highlight reel, we open the door to compassion. We can finally stop judging ourselves and others for being human.
Why This Shift Matters
When I embraced this idea, my whole life softened.
I judged myself less.
I stopped comparing myself to others.
I let go of my old mistakes.
I released the need to be perfect.
I found confidence in simply showing up.
I could finally breathe again.
Doing my best became about progress, not perfection—about intention, not performance.
And you know what else happened?
I started trying new things without the constant fear of “messing up.” I could make mistakes and still hold my head high, because I knew I had done my best in that moment.
Let Go of the Harshness
There’s so much unnecessary harshness we carry. That inner critic who whispers, “You should’ve done better.” But what if that voice doesn’t get the final say?
What if we replace it with, “I did my best, and that’s enough.”
You can’t do more than your best. You can only give what you have in this moment—and that is more than enough.
Doing Your Best Is an Act of Love
When we allow ourselves to do our best—without self-judgment—we naturally extend that same grace to others. We stop criticizing, stop comparing, and start connecting.
We start seeing others through eyes of understanding instead of criticism. And that shift creates a ripple of love, one that can change our homes, our relationships, and our world.
A Simple Invitation
So today, I invite you to take a deep breath and whisper to yourself:
💛 “I am doing my best. And my best is enough.”
Let that truth settle into your heart. Let it melt the pressure, the comparison, the guilt.
Because when you know your best is enough, you make space for peace, confidence, and joy to bloom.
And that’s what 100 Days of Hope is all about—remembering that hope grows every time we choose compassion over criticism and presence over perfection.
With love and light,
Julie Burningham
The Hope Coach 🌸