Do It Better
Wise words from David V. Bush to help you discover how to get ahead. We often wonder how to get that promotion or how to be noticed at our work. This poem says it all.
The person who grows is the one who chooses to improve, even in the small tasks.
Updated February 2, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
This poem speaks to anyone who has ever wondered how to move forward in their work or personal life. It reminds us that progress does not always come from big changes or sudden breaks. Often, it comes from small improvements made day by day, even when the task feels routine or unnoticed.
David V. Bush offers a simple but powerful message. When we choose to do our work with care and give a little more effort than before, growth follows. This poem encourages us to take responsibility for our attitude and actions, showing that steady effort and a willing heart can open doors we once thought were closed.
The Poem - Do It Better
There's just one certain way to climb up to the top,
Where there's plenty of room to expand,
Where each thing's more congenial and not quite so menial,
With chances to think and command;
It is simple, yet not for the shirk or the drone
Whom the bonds of dull indolence fetter.
For the way to get there in foul weather or fair
Is to work just a little bit better!
There's promotion ahead — will the honor be yours,
Or be left for some "luckier" neighbor?
For it rests with just you what the future will do
To reward your industrious labor.
The man who mounts high, leaving others behind,
Must be never a whiner or fretter;
For we don't reach the goal with a sorrowful soul,
But by working a little bit better!
There is work you can do, and how well it is done
Is for you and you only to say;
But who does it the best will stand first in the test
That leads on to the bright better way.
So buckle right down to outdo your own past,
And each moment toil square to the letter;
For the prize-winning man sticks to one golden plan,
And works just a little bit better!
Key Messages From The Poem
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Improvement Leads To Opportunity
Success does not come from luck alone. It comes from steady effort and a willingness to improve how we do our work. When we give our best, even in small tasks, we prepare ourselves for greater opportunities.
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Your Choices Shape Your Future
Personal responsibility matters. Each person decides how well their work is done, and that choice shapes the future. Growth begins when we stop comparing ourselves to others and focus on doing better than we did before.
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A Strong Attitude Helps You Keep Moving
A positive attitude and persistence help us move forward. Complaining and discouragement slow progress, while determination and effort open doors. By staying focused and committed, we move closer to our goals one step at a time.
Popular Pages
If the message of doing your best spoke to you, these popular pages offer more poems and quotes to encourage steady effort, positive thinking, and personal growth.
If you need a quick lift for your day, our Encouragement Quotes can help you keep going.
For a stronger mindset on the job, read our Motivational Quotes For Work and stay focused on doing your best.
Celebrate a new beginning with our Graduation Poems that share hope and wise reminders for the road ahead.
If you want a short message that still means a lot, see our Graduation Sayings for simple words you can share in a card.
Find poems that encourage a positive outlook by visiting our Good Poems collection.
For a thoughtful reminder about purpose and attitude, read Who Do You Work For and reflect on what guides your daily effort.
Conclusion
This poem reminds us that getting ahead is not always about having more talent or more luck. It is often about choosing to improve in the work we already have. When we do our tasks with care and keep a steady attitude, people notice. More importantly, we build good habits that help us in every part of life. If you feel stuck or overlooked, take heart. Start where you are, do what you can, and work just a little bit better.
More David V. Bush Poems to Inspire
Success often comes when we do the next right thing with a better attitude and steady effort.