Some Days, 62% Is All You’ve Got—And That’s Okay

The Art of Showing Up

Mar 28, 2025

Dear Adventurer,

Did you give your best today? Did you give 100%?

Honestly, I don’t even think I had that much to give. Today, I operated at a solid 62%. A D-minus, if we’re being academic about it. That’s all I had in the tank—nothing more, nothing less. And while it might not seem like much, I’m calling it a win because I showed up.

Here’s how that 62% was spent:

7% went to the drive to get here—navigating traffic and finding the energy even to leave the house.
5% went to the drive back—resisting the urge just to park somewhere and breathe for a minute.
10% went to communicating with coworkers whose percentages are just as unpredictable as mine. Everyone’s got their own math going on.
6% held back my frustration during another meeting that could have just been an email.
7% went to keeping my tears at bay because sometimes, adulting is just emotional dodgeball.
0.2% went to smiling when it was socially appropriate (even if it probably looked more like a grimace—my bad!).
8% went to walking away from a situation that could have brought out the worst in me.
10% went to staying true to my values and integrity, even when it was hard.
2% went to doing my best to meet deadlines, even if some tasks didn’t quite make it across the finish line.
5% went to listening and being there for a friend who needed support.
2.8% went to choosing kindness when I didn’t have much left to give.

Total: 62%—and that’s okay.

Here’s what I’m learning:

We’re taught that anything less than 100% is failure, but that’s not true. The reality is, some days, your best isn’t 100% because you don’t have that much to give. That’s not a weakness—that’s being human. Your best is doing what you can with what you have and being proud of that.

Let’s make one crucial adjustment:

100% — Being proud of myself for showing up.

The truth is:

It’s okay if your best looks different every day. Some days, victory means just getting out of bed. It means responding to one email when your inbox is full. It means keeping your heart soft in a world that sometimes feels harsh.

You are not defined by how much you accomplish in a day but by your courage to show up regardless. Even on days when your energy is low, your effort matters.

So, wherever you’re at today—whether it’s 10%, 62%, or 125%—be proud of you. You showed up, and that’s more than enough. Some days, 62% is everything you need to give, and that’s perfectly okay.

Much Love,
Jae

A Thought for Your Journey

Your worth isn’t measured by how much of you is left to give, but by the courage it takes to show up anyway.