1-Minute Wednesday No. 130

Less Effort = More Success

Welcome to 2023.?

For many of us, a new year means a clean slate filled with new hopes, dreams, and, most notably - new goals. However, while many of us can stick to our goals for the first few weeks, our resolve soon weakens.

This year?I’m applying a new rule that will help me keep my goals and lead to lasting change, and I want to challenge you to do the same. It’s called The 85% Rule.?

It has long been thought that maximum effort equals maximum results. This usually shows up as people saying things like “No pain, no gain” or?“This is going to be really challenging, but it’s going to be worth it.”

And while it may sound right, it’s a false idea.?

What we know now is?optimal effort?equals maximum results.?

An all-out sprint all the time isn’t possible. But that’s the approach so many of us take when we set out to make a change or try and do something new.?

In January, we go to the gym every day or write a full page in our journal every night. But by February, we’ve run out of steam. It’s not that the goals aren’t worthwhile; it’s that our approach of giving 110% effort isn’t sustainable.?

What does work is The 85% Rule. Instead of trying to go all out, you operate at 85% of your capacity.?And while it does mean you will go slower, it also means that you will feel less stress, think more clearly, and have more energy?to stick with your goal.?

The next time you feel tempted to take something to 100%, step back and ask how you can dial things back to 85%. Chances are, you will find that you can accomplish more by giving less effort.?

The 85% rule isn’t just a nice way for insecure overachievers to live. It’s actually more effective. It allows you to be at your best.?

Listen

The Greg McKeown Podcast

“It has long been thought that at the beginning of the new year, you should make a long list of everything that you want to achieve. But that, I believe, is false...Instead of simply making an aspiration to do more than you’ve ever done before, you should focus to do less but better.”?

Have you ever fallen into the trap of making too many New Year’s resolutions? Tune in to this week’s episode of?The Greg McKeown Podcast?and discover how you can accomplish what matters most this year by setting an essential intent.

Learn

Double Your Chances of Achieving Your Goals

At the beginning of the year, we have an abundance of motivation to achieve our goals. But according to James Clear, author of the bestselling book?Atomic Habits, that may be the problem that prevents us from actually achieving our goals. In this article, Clear explains why motivation may be precisely what you don't need and offers a simple strategy that can help double your chances of achieving the new goals you are setting.?You can read the full article?here.?

Weekly Wisdom

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.”?― Louis L'Amour

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