Musings from the CU Suite

Written by Anthony Demangone

So, the young associate finished the project. He walked to the partner's office and handed him the memo.

The next day, the partner called the associate to his office. 

"Was this the best you could do?" he asked?

The associate sheepishly said there was likely some extra work that he could put in toward the memo's analysis. He took the memo and headed back to his office. 

The next day, he brought back the memo to the partner.

The next day, the partner called back the associate.

"Was this really the best you could do?" he asked again.

The associate sheepishly took the memo back again. Yes, there was more work to be done. 

The process repeated itself again! The associate delivered the memo, the partner called the associate back the next day, and he asked the same question.

"Yes," the associate announced! "I can't think of anything else I could do to improve the memo. That is my absolute best." 

The partner grinned. 

"Good. I guess I'll read it now." 

I heard that story years ago, and it stuck with me. We want to do our best, but there seems to be many levels of that word.

There is what we think our best is. That usually isn't our best.

And there is the best when someone pushes us. And I'm not sure that's our best either.

And then there's the best when something deep inside of us pushes to the edge of what is possible. I think that is usually where our "best" resides." 

So here's a good question for a Tuesday. Think back to when you did your best work. What were the factors that pushed you to that level of quality?

***

I witnessed someone at their best yesterday - Captain Barry, of Captain Barry's Back-Bay Cruises of Chincoteague. It is always a pleasure to see an artist at work.