"One of the rarest things a man ever does is to do the best he can."
- Henry Wheeler Shaw

A prevailing attitude in our society is the “good enough” attitude. The amount of work or the quality of our work is “good enough.” In fact, I am willing to go so far as to say that an amazing number of people have mastered the technique of doing “just enough to get by.”

Too often it seems that the work ethic has been replaced by an attitude of “just enough to get by” and/or “good enough.” It isn’t hard to find people who live and work according to this principle. Their work never stands as a shining example of anything other than mediocrity. These are the people who, too often, work hardest to avoid working hard.

Of course, heaven forbid you should ask, or expect, any more of them. “I don’t get paid enough to work that hard. Why should I do any more? It won’t get me anywhere.” Or at least that is what they say. The sad thing is they believe it. They repeat it to themselves over and over, they hear it from co-workers, friends, and relatives daily.

Compare this “just enough to get by,” or “good enough” attitude to the true story of a man during the depression. He simply showed up ready to work one day and started working. The foreman couldn’t help notice how this man was outperforming most of the other workers. Another reason this man drew attention to himself wasn’t just his work, it was the fact he wasn’t an employee! The foreman talked to the man at the end of the day and hired him. That’s right, hired him. Can you imagine working all day at your very best to get hired?

People who do their best typically find their best keeps getting better. People who routinely do their best are not routine. The world notices these people and things happen to them – good things.

Its so easy to spot the people who don’t or won’t do their best. They complain about how life isn’t fair. They complain about not getting any breaks. They complain about the amount they get paid for the mediocre work they do.

Avoid these people at all costs. They will pull you down until you have joined the ranks of the lazy. For what its worth, you can be more and you should expect more of yourself.