Best Isn’t Always the Benchmark

So far in 2025, we’ve been talking a lot about being the best—the best coaches, the best parents, the best athletes, and even the best at getting better. But is “best” really what we should always be aiming for? In the world of sports (and life), are our only options either being the best—crushing it with new PRs and constant skill upgrades—or bust—falling short and giving up?

Chasing excellence is admirable and often necessary, but it can’t be everything. No one is the best at everything, all the time, or forever. Performance isn’t linear; it doesn’t always progress in a clean, upward path. Instead, performance lives on a continuum—an ever-shifting spectrum of highs, lows, and everything in between.

Start by clearly defining what your best looks like. Include not just the outcomes you want, but the processes and habits that support them. That’s one end of your performance continuum.

Now, define the other end: your good enough. This isn’t settling—it’s establishing a baseline. What does a solid performance look like even on a rough day? What habits and results represent “I showed up and did the work,” even if it wasn’t perfect?

Most of the time, you’ll live somewhere between those two points. And as your skills and mindset grow, both ends will shift. Your good enough will become stronger, and your best will rise even higher. But perfection is rarely sustainable—and it doesn’t need to be.

The key? Aim for your best, but learn to be comfortable with good enough.

Need help finding your balance? Work with Dr. Lindsey today!