Doing Your Best Might Look Different Each Day, But At Least You’re Trying

✨ This post is part of Today’s Working Woman — a space for real talk, quiet ambition, and everyday growth. Here, we share honest reflections and practical tools to help women show up fully in work and in life. Because being ambitious doesn’t mean being perfect — it means being human, and that’s always enough.

I used to think “doing my best” meant giving 100% every single day — no excuses. If I wasn’t pushing at full speed, I felt like I was falling behind. But here’s what I’ve learned the hard way: your best doesn’t look the same every day. Some days, it’s running a marathon. Other days, it’s just showing up. And both matter.

In today’s world, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind. The culture of hustle tells us that “doing your best” means showing up at 110% every single day, no excuses. But here’s the truth: we are not machines. We’re women balancing careers, families, health, relationships, and everything in between. Some days we thrive, and some days we simply survive. Both matter. Both count.

The reality is this: your best is going to look different from day to day. And that’s more than okay.

What “Your Best” Really Means

Doing your best doesn’t mean chasing an impossible, perfect standard. It means giving what you can with the energy, resources, and circumstances you have in the moment.

On some days, your best might look like leading a team meeting with confidence, hitting the gym, and still getting dinner on the table. On others, your best might simply mean showing up to work tired but determined, or saying no to protect your mental health.

Neither version is “less than.” Both are still your best for that day.

The Grace Factor

Grace is the permission slip we rarely give ourselves. It’s recognizing that productivity and energy naturally ebb and flow. A well-rested version of you will operate differently than the you who got three hours of sleep, or the you navigating a tough season at home.

Instead of judging yourself for not being “on” every day, try saying: “This is what I have to give today — and that’s enough.”

That self-grace frees you from the relentless grip of perfectionism and allows you to keep moving forward with honesty and compassion.

Why Trying Always Matters

Perfectionism whispers that unless you’re crushing it, you’re falling short. But showing up consistently — even imperfectly — is where real strength lives.

Progress isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s in the quiet act of putting one foot in front of the other. It’s not about comparing today’s version of you to yesterday’s. It’s about recognizing that every time you try, you’re building resilience, discipline, and courage.

Practical Ways to Redefine “Your Best”

Here are a few reminders for Today’s Working Woman to carry into everyday life:

1.     Check in with yourself daily. Ask: What do I have the capacity for today? Then let that answer guide your priorities.

2.     Celebrate small wins. Finishing the report, cooking a meal, making it through a hard day — it all counts.

3.     Ditch the comparison game. Your best is not someone else’s best. It’s about your reality, not their highlight reel.

4.     Set flexible standards. Some days call for “all in.” Others call for “good enough.” Both are valid.

5.     Lead with compassion. Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d extend to a friend — especially on the hard days.

Final Thought

Your best isn’t static. It shifts with your seasons, your circumstances, and your energy. Some days, it’s flying high. Other days, it’s simply making it through. Both are worthy. Both are enough.

✨ Here’s the reminder: Every time you show up and give what you have, you’re doing your best. And that’s always something to be proud of.

🌿 At Today’s Working Woman, we believe growth happens in community. If this post resonated with you, share it with another woman who needs the reminder — and join us on Instagram [@TodaysWorkingWoman] for daily inspiration, real talk, and quiet ambition. Because your story matters, and we’re stronger when we write it together.