I dislike it when I hear, “You did everything you could do.” 

As far as I am concerned, I could always do more. 

I get why people like to tell other people this, as a sign they recognize the good effort made. I think, however, it’s okay to reject this to enter into your own mind as a pacifier when things don’t work out the way you wish. 

It’s better to think, “That wasn’t the outcome I wanted. I could have made another call or implemented a higher probability strategy. I could have done more. I could have done better. I will learn from this time. Next time I will do more, and better.” 

I reject consoling language like this to embrace the reality that I’m imperfect and can always do more.