When your best...sucks

So, storytime. A few years ago, life was...interesting. There were some major communication/calendar issues with a corporate client that spanned the entire week which resulted in ongoing conversations with the owner. I had different technical glitches with each of the 6 webinars I conducted. I mis-calendared (is that even a word?) all my scheduled emails to go out a year late. RC and I decided to redecorate the house, so my office was completely disorganized. Our foster pup was having itchy skin - "I'm gonna bite and lick myself until I have no fur left on any part of my body" - issues, AGAIN. We had multiple sleepovers as the Thanksgiving break had started, so lots of preteens running around all weekend and I heard "Mom" an estimated average of 6,485 times a day. I didn't meet any of my business goals. I didn't follow my food plan. I didn't follow my exercise plan. And I was having an autoimmune flare-up and felt like complete crap.

By the time the next Monday had rolled around, I was dreading the week. I wasn't feeling any better physically and was still feeling the psychological chaos of the previous week. In addition, I was piling on the negativity of "shoulda, woulda, coulda" regarding what my plans for the previous week were versus what actually happened. Needless to say, I was a tad cranky. And my productivity was in negative number territory.

So, what to do when life throws you curveballs?

I do my best. Even though, at times, my best sucks.

I recognize the stuff I can't control and let it go. I don't pretend it's not happening...I, instead, recognize that putting my limited energy into something I can't control is "throwing good money after bad". I can't control the tech glitches, my client's personal issues interfering with their productivity, my genetics, or the existence of my past mistakes (even though I would like to pretend they didn't happen). "Shoulda, woulda, coulda" doesn't fix any of that. I acknowledge the reality and move on.

I recognize the stuff I can control and make a plan to do it differently, starting at this moment. I learn from my experiences so I can be better in the future. For example, now I have different tracking and prep procedures both for upcoming webinars and communication with my client. And I don't try to "make up" for my lack of productivity by overcompensating now; I start fresh with my goals.

I assess my expectations to make sure I am being realistic with my time, energy, resources, etc. What I am normally able to accomplish is, simply, not possible at times due to my physical condition or extenuating circumstances.

I am completely honest with myself in acknowledging the fine line between excuses and valid reasons for perpetuating my lack of success. Do I need more sleep at times? Absolutely! Are some my naps not physically necessary and simply opportunities to ignore my stress? Absolutely! And I get to share this with others to maintain my accountability.

So. My best sucks at times. And that doesn't have to derail me forever. Or even beyond this moment. I get to accept where I am physically, emotionally, and psychologically and engage in an active process for my next moments. I get to be my best...whatever that happens to be!