Doing the Best With What You’re Given

Imagine you’re sitting at work, computer broken because someone accidentally spilt their drink over it with a deadline looming in the next 6 hours. Your workplace is just a small startup and there are no replacement parts, and the only other computer you can use is an old janky laptop with a screen that’s barely held by the hinge. It’s slow, the keyboard is uncomfortable and you’re being pressured by your manager to get your work finished–what do you do?

Some people would flip out and say that it’s impossible and demand a proper computer to work from. Others will shift the blame to the colleague that accidentally spilt their drink over your computer, and some would ask for the deadline to be pushed back due to the computer being broken. The way you react typically defines your character, but we can use this example to explain to what it means to do the best with what you’re given.

Knowing what you can and can’t do

You have the power to make a difference not just in your life, but the lives of others too. It’s important to understand what power you have so you can focus on controlling that instead of focusing too much on something you can’t control.

An example of this would be working through a disability. If you suffer an injury and you’re labelled as disabled, then your inabilities shouldn’t be the focus of your time. Instead, you should focus on what you can still do and also look for services to help you achieve those goals. You could visit a disability lawyer website here if you’re suffering a disability and find ways to seek justice if you’re being discriminated at work, or look for benefits that can help find your lifestyle if you’re forced to take time off work. We didn’t choose to become disabled and limit our ability, but we have to work around it and do the best with what we have.

Why you should work despite adversity

Sometimes, it’s important to do the best you can offer despite all the challenges you’re facing. You may realize that you working on that janky laptop in the above example is the only way that the company is going to succeed.

You have an integral role in the business and over the next six hours, your actions are going to determine whether this startup succeeds or fails. If you put your head down and make the deadline, you might have a shot at a long-lasting career with this new startup. Fail to do so, and you could end up regretting your decision if the startup collapses in a few weeks and you’re forced to find a new jo

At times, short-term suffering results in long-term happiness. We see this with children as well. The short-term anger and frustration we experience as a result of coping with children that don’t cooperate are typically offset by the many years of love and care that you can nurture as a family. Unfortunately, some parents just can’t cope with that short-term frustration, but those who do will ultimately reap the benefits of a loving family in the future.