You’re sitting at your desk, holding in one hand a cup of coffee and in the other your smartphone. You’re expecting a phone call from a client any moment now. In front of you, your laptop pings abruptly. You’ve received an email from your boss, wishing your good look with your client and telling you that you should be ready to give 110% to make the project happen. In a few seconds, your stress levels, which were already elevated, seem to skyrocket to new heights.
If it doesn’t sound familiar, maybe you’re more of a 110% party goer. You’re the kind of person who works hard but who has deliberately chosen to party even harder – within reason, of course.
There’s no real party if you don’t watch the sunrise before going to bed! And you make it your duty to push yourself and explore new boundaries each time your party. In your opinion, if you remember the evening, then it wasn’t a very good party.
Which of these two scenarios sound more like you? Most people are somewhere in between; they go the extra mile both for work and fun. But there’s something important about giving 110% all the time: It’s not sustainable in the long term. You need to stop working and partying hard.
Because it doesn’t exist
It’s impossible to trace back where the saying ‘giving 110%’ comes back. But one thing is for sure; it wasn’t invented by a mathematician. There is no such thing as 110%. 100% is all you can give at any time.
Ask yourself one simple question: Where does the extra 10% come from? Next time your boss or a friend asks you to overperform, take the time to measure the meaning of their words. Ultimately, they’re not only asking you to bring all you’ve got to the project. They also want you to bring more than what is humanly possible.
Because it’s unhealthy
Let’s assume that ‘giving 110%’ is another way of asking you to invest more time and effort into making something happen, whether it’s a disco night or an urgent project with a client. The only way to reach the impossible 110% is to reshape your schedule to give your new assignment priority.
In other words, that’s how an 8-hour day turns into a 12, 14, or even 16-hour day. Giving 110% goes strongly against the rules for a healthy life by disturbing your habits and routine. It occupies your time, meaning that you can’t relax, focus on your personal goals, or stay in touch with the people who love.
You don’t have the time nor the desire to make healthy food choices, as stress tends to increases food cravings. In other words, you pay the cost of 110% with your health.
Because it’s not sensible
What could be wrong about giving 110% to your party nights? Just because it isn’t work-related doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be sensible about having fun. Indeed, there are substantial consequences to the decisions you make, including your party choices.
The usual spectrum of party vices includes alcohol and late nights, which in moderation can be enjoyable. In excess, however, they can affect your sleeping pattern, your health, and your mood. What is the point of partying if it’s going to make you feel horrible in the morning?
There’s nothing wrong with having fun, but it doesn’t need to break either your health or the bank – nobody wants to wake up the next day to an empty wallet and a series of expensive bar bills.
Because it’s a waste of your energy
Maximizing your productivity is all about making the most of every minute of the day according to business blogs. They forget one crucial detail: People are not machines. We get tired and burned out. You can’t stay focused all the time.
In fact, according to research, not only giving 110% is impossible, but giving 100% is an aberration too when it comes to mental energy. Indeed, you can’t achieve results with the extra desk time. You need to apply the 80-20 rule to recharge your batteries, 80% of your performance comes from 20% of your input.
Because it’s an unfair expectation
Lastly, expecting someone to go the extra mile in unfair, regardless of whether you’re discussing work or fun. More often than not, meeting your objectives is not about moving mountains, but about understanding which details make a difference.
Real success is in getting the little things right. Additionally, trying to meet unachievable standards is only going to end in disappointment.
You Shouldn’t Give 110%
In everything you do, you need to put your needs and your health first. There is no need to give 110% when your mental and physical energy can’t sustain the pressure. It’s time to break free from the hard-working and hard-playing cliché to focus on smart workers and sensible players once and for all.
Is there somewhere in your life where you need to slow down? What can you do to back off a bit?
