"ما همیشه توسط این ایده که می توانستیم سخت تر کار کنیم یا بهتر عمل کنیم، آزار داده می شویم. اما این حالت انسانی ما است."

Feeling like you could've done more or performed better is a universal part of being human. It's an almost nagging thought that many of us live with, constantly thinking we should've worked harder or achieved more. This sense of "not enough" is deeply ingrained in our human psyche.

Historically, this sentiment has been around for as long as we’ve been setting goals and striving for improvement. It's part of what drives progress—both personal and societal. The ancient Greeks talked about this in their myths and philosophy. Sisyphus, for instance, was condemned to push a boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down each time he neared the top. His endless struggle is a metaphor for the human condition of ceaseless effort with no final satisfaction. This feeling isn't just ancient, though. Think about the modern workplace—where people often feel they must constantly hustle, achieve, and outdo their previous performance.

Consider the story of Sarah, a project manager at a tech company. Sarah always put in extra hours, stayed late, and even worked weekends. She was good at her job, but she never felt she was doing enough. She’d finish a big project and then immediately start worrying about the next one. Her boss praised her dedication, but Sarah's constant thought was, "I could have done it better." This relentless drive eventually led to burnout. Sarah’s story shows how this "could have done better" mindset, while common, can have very real consequences.

So, how do you apply this understanding to your life? First, recognize that these thoughts are normal. Everyone has them—they're part of being human. But letting them dominate your mind isn't productive. When these thoughts come up, acknowledge them, but don’t dwell on them. Reflect on what you've accomplished and give yourself credit for the hard work you’ve already put in. It's crucial to set realistic goals and allow yourself to appreciate progress—even if it's just small steps.

Imagine you're preparing for a marathon. You train hard, but on race day, you don’t hit the time you aimed for. Instead of beating yourself up, focus on the fact that you completed a marathon—a huge achievement in itself. Next time, you can adjust your training based on what you’ve learned, but don't let that sense of "I should’ve done better" overshadow your success.

Here’s a relatable story: picture Michael, who just finished his first novel. He’s spent months writing, editing, and revising. After finally typing "The End," he feels a rush of pride. But soon after, doubt creeps in. Could he have created more complex characters? Was the plot convincing enough? These thoughts start to haunt him. Michael could get trapped in this cycle of self-doubt, but instead, he chooses to focus on the fact that he wrote an entire book—a dream many people have but never achieve. He decides to learn from his experience, make notes for the next book, and celebrate his significant accomplishment.

This is a reminder to balance striving for improvement with appreciating your efforts. It’s about finding that sweet spot where you’re motivated to grow, but also kind to yourself about what you’ve already done. Remember, the human condition involves a constant pull between ambition and contentment—acknowledge it, and don’t let it overshadow what you’ve achieved.