Try your best is definitely better advice than be the best, but is it really good advice? We can all agree that this platitude highlights the importance of exerting maximum effort, but it is frustratingly vague. What does “best” even mean? How do you quantify best? A result? A feeling? Exhaustion?
Without a clear measure, this advice is hard to act on and often leaves individuals asking: Did I train hard enough? Was that truly my best? Could I have prepared differently? This ambiguity breads a cycle of striving, falling short of impossible standards, harshly overanalyzing perceived shortcomings and feeling perpetual disappointment.
This euphemism seems to be particularly problematic for the hypercritical, talented perfectionist. Similarly, for those most accustomed to winning, trying your best tends to be equated with victory, not effort, outcome, not process. skilled (and often hypercritical), Trying your best is frequently tied to external markers—winning, PRs, accolades—and does not account for uncontrollable factors like circumstance, luck and the performance of others.
Instead of telling others to “try their best”, coaches, parents, mentors and those being encouraged to perform would benefit from more specificity. Speak with clarity about what preparedness looks and feels like. Discuss the importance of resilience, a growth mindset, and maintaining focus. Talk about the many ways “success” can be defined.” In the end, “try your best” isn’t bad advice, it’s just incomplete.