Everyone’s Doing the Best They Can – Are You Giving Yourself Credit?
Some things don’t hit until you hear them at the right time.
Elfried Samba said something on the Bread and Butter Podcast that shook me. It wasn’t new. It wasn’t complex. But it landed differently: Everyone is doing the best they can with what they’ve got.
That line alone made me pause. It wasn’t just about others. It was about me.
Because truthfully, I’ve been moving nonstop, creating, publishing and building but still feeling like it’s not enough. That there’s more I should be doing. More I could be doing. And the gap between effort and outcome? Sometimes it feels like it’s swallowing the whole thing.
But that quote reframed everything. I am doing the best I can with what I have. You probably are too.
The Truth About Progress
There’s this trap a lot of us fall into. Especially those of us building our own thing. We’re so focused on what’s next, we forget to stop and clock how far we’ve already come.
You start comparing your content, your output, your results with someone else’s polish, forgetting they might have a team, a budget, a decade head start.
I caught myself doing it.
I was watching this video and thinking, If I had more time, better equipment, a proper editing setup… this would be sharper. But this is what I’ve got. And I’m still here. Still showing up. Still pushing. That counts.
The point isn’t to settle. It’s to stop beating yourself up while you build.
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Cause vs Effect Thinking
The second thing that stuck with me was Elfried’s breakdown of cause and effect.
If you’re in “effect” mode, you blame everything outside of you. No recognition? Must be the algorithm. Didn’t get the opportunity? Must be favouritism. No engagement? Must be the audience.
But “cause” thinking flips it.
What can I control? What could I do differently? How do I move forward even when I don’t feel seen?
And look, this isn’t about toxic positivity. It’s about ownership.
Once I started thinking from a “cause” mindset, things shifted. I started preparing better. I’d research who’s in the room. I’d tailor what I’m saying, how I’m showing up and where I want to direct the energy.
Everything became more intentional. Less reactive.
Your Work Is Not in Vain
I’ve been putting out consistent YouTube content. Weekly blog posts. A newsletter. Conversations. Brand coaching.
But still, there are moments when it feels like shouting into the void.
This video reminded me that consistency compounds. That even if the spotlight hasn’t hit yet, the body of work is building. That we can’t afford to ignore our own effort just because the outcome isn’t loud yet.
If you’re in the grind and questioning why it’s not happening faster, this is your reminder: don’t discredit what you’ve done just because the result isn’t loud yet.
Stay Rooted, Stay Ready
We talk about growth a lot. But what does growth really look like? It’s showing up when it’s quiet. It’s putting out your best work when no one’s clapping yet. It’s building with what’s in your hands, not waiting until you’ve got the perfect setup.
And when support does come, when people give you time, feedback or opportunities, cherish it. No one owes us anything. So when someone helps, holds space, shares a post, replies to a DM, show love.
I’m on a mission to get my cup so full it overflows. So I can give, support and share without scrambling. But even before I get there, I’m committed to giving now. Even if it’s just sharing this message with someone who needs to hear it.
Moving Forward
Don’t wait until things are perfect to start.
Use what you’ve got. Do what you can. Give yourself credit for showing up. Remember that growth isn’t always loud, but it’s always happening.
If you’re building, trying, failing, learning, keep going. You’re not alone in this.
See you next week!
