Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. - Teddy Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt Jr., often referred to as Teddy or his initials T. R., was an American politician, statesman, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26th president of the United States from 1901 to 1909. He previously served as the 25th vice president under William McKinley from March to September 1901, and as the 33rd governor of New York from 1899 to 1900. Having assumed the presidency after McKinley's assassination, Roosevelt emerged as a leader of the Republican Party and became a driving force for anti-trust and Progressive policies.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

For many of us, this quote is a much-needed wake-up call: stop looking for better options — especially during these uncertain times.

This is also an important reminder.

• We don't need to look for anything else.

• Everything we need is already here.

• All we need is to use what we have.

Do what you can

We often worry that we are not good enough to do the work we want to do. Ira Glass calls it the "gap" -- between what we want to do (our tastes) and what we can currently do.

In fact, these successful people you know have gotten to where they are simply because they did what they could, where they were and what they had. and move forward.

Use what you have

What are your current resources?

Maybe, this is the project you are working on. Maybe, someone you work with. Maybe, it's your money in the bank.

It's easy to be dissatisfied with all these things. The real hard part is deciding to move on, no matter what limitations you have.

Chances are, you can do something with what you already have. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment when they have money, successful people take advantage of their immediate environment and start building momentum.

Where are you

Where am I from, people complain about not being able to do the work they love. They blame the government. They blame "the people". They blame their bosses, stupid friends, neighbors.

At the same time, nothing can be done.

If you can let go of these outer limitations and go inside. This is spiritual growth.

"Better" is the enemy of "good". Too often we use our perfectionism—whether in creating art or living a productive life—as an excuse to procrastinate, but it’s always a sign of insecurity.

You always have two options: wait until the right moment, or build a life for yourself with what's in front of you.

Click here to read the flipbook.