Always Do Your Best. Upon first reading, the fourth agreement in Don Miguel Ruiz’s book, The Four Agreements, seems nearly impossible to uphold. I assumed (yes, I’m aware that I managed to break one of the agreements before I even finished the list) that my “best” referred to some mythical extreme effort, some standard of exalted achievement that I could only hope to reach if the stars aligned. But Ruiz offers a more reasonable definition: do what is your very best at any given time. When I am feeling confident, skilled, or even rested, my best looks very different than when I am anxious, confused or exhausted. What I am able to accomplish or strive for is influenced by both my strengths and my weaknesses, and I can never be falling short if I accept my efforts with compassion and integrity. Doing our best doesn’t have to mean that we knock it out of the park. All we must commit to is swinging as hard as we can.