​We’ve all heard phrases like, “Always give your best” or “Be all that you can be.” This begs the question: “Is it really all that important for us to give our best efforts on a regular basis?” I did some checking, and the answer is “yes.” Giving your best efforts forms the foundation for being happy. Each time you give your best, you reinforce a positive image of yourself. This is key because it’s impossible to be happy without a positive self-image. On the other hand, each time you give less than your best, it takes away from that positive self-image because you know you could have and should have done better. This is the reason that lazy people are never happy. The only thing that keeps them going is the delusion that they’re cheating life and getting away with it. In reality, the only thing they’re cheating is themselves out of is the opportunity to be happy. So, give yourself a shot at the good life by giving your best day in and day out.