It was a crisp, cool day in late February many years ago when I stepped into my Wichita newsroom for our morning editorial meeting. I tied my tie and sat sipping a cup of coffee listening to the overnight police reports when my cell phone rang. The caller breathlessly explained a deal had been struck to sell the city’s largest employer. As the aviation beat reporter at the time, I rushed to grab my bag and headed for the door.
The importance of the story was high, and it became the lead story in every newscast that day. The stress of a 12-hour shift and the pace required to gather interviews, write, edit and report was overwhelming. Of course, this wasn’t new. It’s relatively common in a profession where every single day starts at zero. Farmers generally know the tasks awaiting them based on the timing and rhythm of the season. The news is new every day.
Panic On Pause
As I sat there frantically waiting for my editor to pull together our story knowing we had just minutes until the top of the newscast, I finally hit the end of the rope. I was doing my very best, and if that wasn’t good enough, so be it. From that point forward, those words have steadied my nerves and quieted anxieties about work. All I can do is my best. There is no such thing as going 110%. It’s a lie we tell ourselves to try and wring one more ounce of effort from our tired minds or bodies.
Purposeful Pursuits
I recently received what could be called providential affirmation of this mantra in the form of a fortune cookie. The non-fortune fortune written clearly, “Your best is enough.”
It made me pause and think about my work and the work of our nation’s farmers. I’ve never met a single person pursuing their passions half-heartedly. As you go through this harvest season and begin to make purposeful purchasing plans for 2025, be sure to take a deep breath and remember your best is enough.
As long as it’s truly your best, it’s all you can do.
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