Allow myself to introduce myself. Am I doing the best I can?

I have been using a mantra to encourage myself amid setbacks. I want to do my best and not be too hard on myself for failing to live up to my expectations. Because like most people, I can be my own worst critic.  Well, next to siblings and spouses, I am my own worst critic. So I say to myself in moments of failure, "I am doing the best I can."  This week it occurred to me to change that slogan up slightly for a whole new tangent of personal awareness. I started to also ask, "Am I doing the best I can?"

I intend to do better for myself without beating myself up over not hitting a goal or missing a habit.  (That sentence strikes me as very Austin Powers, but I think you get it anyway.) By asking myself the question, "Am I doing my best?" I can both challenge my status quo and confirm self-awareness by also confirming when I am doing the best I can.  When I don't hit my mark and answer no to the I am version, this is not my best work,  I can regroup on this opportunity to do better.  Otherwise, I can practice mindfulness that this is my best effort given my current disposition.

Here is my current case in point.  I had quite a day this last week.  There were a whole parcle of tasks and I was not prepared with a plan.  They came at me bombardment style.  I felt rudderless as opposed to shipshape. It's taken me a few days to recover my composure.  Then Gretchen Rubin pointed out in a quote she shared in her news letter from Author Rumer Gordin,

"I suppose the more your have to do the more your learn to organize and concentrate or else your get fragmented." | The house with four rooms

It was not too much of a day for me to handle, I was not ready.  A case of not doing my best because I was not properly prepared.  Also, I have been sidelined a long time.  I am exposed to more and more stresses,  "I am doing the best I can."  I struggle with self-awareness in that I am not as aware as I should be.  I think that reflects poorly on me and makes it hard to be thoughtful with other people.  The better I take care of myself the more helpful I can be with other people.  

Stopping here, I know there is a little dog waiting for breakfast.  Time to move on with my day.