What’s Your Best Effort?
This post was written by Lance at The Jungle of Life. Be sure to check out his blog for more great posts!
“I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don’t do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results.” - Michael Jordan
Effort: A conscious exertion of power, a serious attempt.
I have witnessed this with the soccer team I coached this year. We have one player who gave his best effort every time he was out on the soccer field. However, because he gave such effort, he was quickly tired. There were also have players that give maybe 50% effort, but could stay in the game the whole time. Which one is the better player for my team? Without a doubt, it’s the player that gives his best effort, even if he requires frequent breaks.
When this young man is out on the field, I know that he will play his position with everything he has to give. I can count on him to defend our goal with all his heart when he’s on defense, and to fight for scoring a goal with all that is within him when he’s on offense. Ironically, the two games we lost this fall were the only games in which he didn’t play. And the other kids on the team all know that he is a player they can count on. They know that when he is in the game, we’ve always got a shot at success. And yet, he is one of the few players who ask to come out of the game. He needs out so that he can catch his breath. Full out effort, interspersed with frequent breaks - this is what success is to him.
How does this apply to our lives? How often do we give less than our best effort? How often do we do that, just so we can stay “in the game”? Or so that we can “get by” at our work, or with our family, or the volunteer activities we do, or anything else in our lives?
And, if we’re doing that, then are we really doing the best that we can? No. I argue that we do our best work when we give all we’ve got – when we give whatever 100% is for us. Even if that means taking a break every once in a while.
Where are you most likely to give your “best” effort? In the things you love to do. So, I encourage you to find those things that mean the most to you, that really make you “come alive”. These are the things that you will really want to give your best effort. These are the things that you’ll want to see succeed. And these are the things that you will go all out for – even if it means frequent breaks. And the possibilities are enormous for much success – because you’ll be doing something that you love, and giving it everything you’ve got.
What’s holding you back from giving your best effort?
“I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful, one hundred percent.”
Dr. Seuss
great post Lance~
When I reflect on my day in the evening, I really feel like I cheated myself and others when I know I didn’t give my best effort…..especially to my family. On those evenings, I resolve to do a better job the next day~
Annettes last blog post..Informal Workout
I feel that I have been giving my best in my new business. It is showing as we are booking more presentations regularly. It is very exciting and I find I have to make myself stop working on it because I love it so much.
I have also worked a lot the last couple of years on myself. I want to live from my core and live fully alive experiencing all I can on this side of eternity. With that said, I am also working on my marriage. It feels good to be headed down this path although I come across some tough trails to hike. Friends help me get through the tough times. ;O)
My most recent best effort is the marathon.
I have a lot of responsiblities so maybe not all of those are 100% all the time. But, I work really hard at all of them.
Rachel/Fit Moms last blog post..Have you worked your brain today? Seems it needs a workout too!
That’s a great question to ask yourself.
I can definitely say that I work hard and put in effort but it is probably been a long time since I truly put in 100%.
John Edwardss last blog post..Edgewater Real Estate
Great post, Lance. I know I need to constantly remind myself to put in my 100%. I can do this when I’m cooking - I LOVE to cook. But other things - reading, writing, LISTENING - I need to work at. Thanks for reminding me to keep trying.
monicas last blog post..Core Workout for Functional Fitness
Hmm…probably the 15 mental drainers that I am dealing with. So probably energy. Great post as always Lance!
Lance,
I’ve been giving this a lot of thought lately. I think I go in cycles. I give everything my 100% focus for awhile, full out drive and then I wear down and then I coast a little and then I rev up and go again full court press.It might lead to a little bit of inconsistency in my performence. Maybe not enough for a lot of people to notice because all in all, I am a high energy person, but enought for me to knoe the difference and for my family to go huh, what just changed? and then they settle in and boom, I am up to full speed and we are off and rocking again and they have to catch up.I bet if you polled them, they would settle for some consistency rather then the full court press, take a break routine in life. I get the point of your post and its a great one…but I have a hard time maintaining it. That means they have a hard time living with it.
( How’s that for some honest reflection?)
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirationss last blog post..Teeter-Totter Tribulations
For me, this post ties in with the one over at Men with Pens today. I love what I do and am blessed to be able to write everyday.
I recently had a run-in with a writer who tried to pass plagiarized work off on me. It saddened and angered me that a writer would value their craft so little.
If I’m not going to give it my all, I might as well stay in bed!
Jamie Simmermans last blog post..Who’s Running This Place, Anyway?
Lance,
Thanks so much for this post. It has sparked a lot of conversation and made me question whether or not I am giving my best effort. I think it has been a VERY long time since I have put 100% into anything. I always seem to hold back a little bit in whatever I do. I suppose I feel like if I do 100% in one area of my life I will be obligated to do 100% in all other areas as well. That scares me. I am an all or none guy in so many aspects and I want to get rid of that!
Your post brought me back to 7th and 8th grade, when I was on the basketball team. Basketball was my life. All I wanted to do was get to the NBA. It was all I cared about. I definitely put in my 100% then… but haven’t done so in a long time. I remember being out on the court and trying to win like my life depended on it. When we won, it felt great. When I lost, I knew I had given it my best and that I would do even better next time.
I need to find that passion I had as a child and put it into what I am doing now!
Your simple, honest writing is an inspiration to me, Lance. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us!
- Jack Rugile
Simple Sapien
Oh, Lance, how is you always hit the nail on the head?
Your example vividly illustrates how 100% should look.
So often I may think I’m going full tilt, but that’s usually because I am pulled in lots of directions. I race to see how many things on my “have-to” list I can manage to get done and then I end up exhausted. Since I really can’t change my list, I need to work it better. Concentration is key, and I seem to have forgotten how to do that well. Instead of focusing (and getting into the flow), my mind’s always leap-frogging to other things.
Life’s too short to be lived that way. Thanks so much for the reminder to play it well!
Julies last blog post..Been There, Done That
I don’t know Lance. As a kid I swam, I also gave it all in the first thirty meters or so, and then I could not ask for a substitution
It was very easy to give a 100% before. I was at work or I was at home - and I gave 100% to whatever I was doing. Now it is harder …a LOT harder - with kids and working from home. But I try not to multitask and give my kids, my husband and me a 100% of myself. Since I am not happy with anything lesser, I have to choose 1 thing at a time …sometimes I feel like I get a lot lesser done this way but I cannot imagine I would get more done and be happy of I gave anything lesser
Mayas last blog post..Embracing our cultural identities at work and in life can only be good for us
Lance it takes a big heart to give it all you’ve got. The more I read you, the more I’m impressed by the delightfully high standards you set for yourself. I love the example of your soccer player because athletics is such a beautiful stage to witness effort.
You’ve hit on the key in your post. When we are doing what we love to do work becomes play and having to “get up” for play is not much effort at all.
Tom Volkar / Delightful Works last blog post..Do It Your Way
It’s true, Lance: we only give our best effort to the things that we love to do. I think many people in the self development field are trying to help people do just that: find their true calling. It’s a sure recipe for happiness.
@Kristen - Dr. Seuss - a true classic!!
@Annette - Thank you Annette! Great point, sometimes we just don’t give our best effort - and then all we can do is resolve to try again the next time. And that’s ok. Some days will be like that. And, I think you really do give your all for you family Annette - they are lucky to have you!
@Laurie - Keep doing it Laurie, and your new business will rock beyond your expectations! I think we have to pick the things we want to really give our full effort to - and family is always a priority. You’ll get there, Laurie. You’re doing it - giving your all to make life great for you and your family. And that’s true commitment…
@Rachel - Competing in a marathon - I can’t even imagine the effort that must go into making this a reality. What you’ve done is awesome Rachel! And, I think we do have to make priorities - but that which matters most should be where we give our best effort - nicely done.
@John - We do the best we can - sometimes we give our best effort, other times not. It’s in the things that matter most, John, where we should give our best - find those things, give it your all, and great things will happen! Working hard is a good chunk of the battle, you’re there John…
@Monica - Well, you bring up a great point Monica - we give our best effort in those things we love - and for you, that’s cooking. We can improve in other areas, but we will always be more drawn to giving better effort in those things which really make us feel alive.
@Mark - The things which drain us — yes, they do hold us back from our best effort. So, our mental distractions really can affect our energy levels can’t they Mark. An important point to remember…
@Wendi - OK, I’d say that’s a pretty honest reflection Wendi. So, you like to keep your family guessing, huh! Really, you bring up an interesting point - sometimes we can go all out, but then we do need a break occasionally. That’s ok (well, except maybe it confuses your family…). Thanks for sharing Wendi.
@Jamie - If you love what you do (and you do love writing, don’t you Jamie!) - then you really want to give your best effort. Someone using copied works - they probably don’t love what they do - and are probably doing the wrong thing… I’m guessing you’re not in bed!
@Jack - You’re very welcome! I don’t think we need to give 100% in all areas of our life - some things will be more important to us - and those are the areas where we should give extra effort - give our all. Basketball makes me think of my kids - and playing basketball - and how this is what really excites them - and they do give it their all when their on the court. The key is how we can take those moments we remember as kids - and apply them to our daily adult life…
@Julie - Thank you Julie! Focus - what an excellent point - and one I often struggle with - if we can really focus on what we’re doing - and not get distracted - what better chance we have at really giving our best effort. An important point to remember.
@Miguel - Ha! OK, I guess we don’t want to give so much effort that it might kill us! So, maybe there are some limits here…
@Maya - Having a family can make this hard, can’t it, Maya? It’s like a whole new set of variables thrown into the mix, and more things to balance your time with. Choosing one thing at a time, and giving your all - what a great way to give of yourself to what matters most to you!
@Tom - I’m still working at achieving these standards - I’m not there yet! Work becomes play - like athletics - when we’re playing something we love - we’ll really want to give it our all!
@Vered - Happiness - loving what you do, and giving it your all. And yes, that’s a recipe for not only happiness, but success as well.
Lances last blog post..Guest Post: What’s Your Best Effort?
Hi Lance. There is definitely a connection between doing what you love to do and naturally putting 100% into it. It probably doesn’t feel like 100% to the person who is doing it either; at least that’s my experience. What is holding me back? Time! I guess that is the challenge when you find so many things you love to do.
Davinas last blog post..A Ghostly Life Experience
Interesting perspective.
I would argue, though, that sometimes giving it all we got is actually pacing ourselves. The true test of giving it our all is the results. If we give too much effort and then burnout vs. giving more of a sustained effort - the sustained effort may be better. Or at least, only a gradual increase in effort so that we grow overtime and keep on going…
Nevertheless - I see your point and its an interesting one. I can definitely see how this can apply to certain things in life.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..The Polls Are Open: Cast Your Vote for P.I. President
It’s amazing how we can tired and grumpy very quickly doing something we are not very interested in, and have lots of stamina for something we are.
For example, I work in the music industry and now and then I work at events that go all night. Doesn’t worry me. But ask me to help in the GARDEN - too hard!
Robins last blog post..How To Find Happiness
Great post Lance.
I wrote a post a long while back about how we get out of life exactly what we put into it. It’s so true.
What’s holding me back? Great question. I think there’s a lot of little things here and there that are holding me back. I’m sure there’s some fear in it.
Jennifers last blog post..Have You Told Yourself this Lie?
Most certainly, I have observed that of myself. When I love what I do, I tend to go all out. And it shows! But when I do not feel the least bit of passion, I’d find all excuses to procrastinate or find ways of escape!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..My Out-of-Body Experiences
@Davina - If we love it, it doesn’t feel like 100% — how true - because it’s so much fun!! Excellent point Davina.
@Bamboo Forest - Pacing vs. giving our all - both do have places in our life, true. We have to weigh what we’re really looking to accomplish. And sometimes giving our all (with frequent breaks) is what will really get us where we want to be. Other times, pacing ourselves is important to get there as well - thanks for the perspective.
@Robin - If we love what we’re doing, it doesn’t even feel like work, does it Robin! And doing the work - when it’s fun - is so easy to do, and to give our best…
@Jennifer - Thanks Jennifer! You DO get out what you put into your work, your free time, your life. Isn’t that ever true! Fear - yes - that holds us back. For me - and with fear - it’s the fear of the unknown - and does that keep me from giving 100%? It probably does. Bringing this up, you’ve made me realize - it’s not just about loving what you do - it’s also about the fears we have…
@Evelyn - So the key is to find the things we love, right! Do that, and giving our best effort just becomes so much easier!
Lances last blog post..Guest Post: What’s Your Best Effort?
Lance - Thanks for validating my need for a nap after I “give it my all”. Giving it your all is exhausting and I love the concept of embracing rest along with best efforts.
Simple Sapien – Thank for the plug on Problogger.
Stacey / Create a Balances last blog post..Top Ten Signs I May Always Look Pregnant
So true, Lance - when we love what we do we give our best effort. So often we do what we think we “should” and fail to give 100%. When we love what we are doing, effort is not work, it’s just part of the process.
Stacey Shipmans last blog post..Part II: Are You Thinking BIG Enough?
Lance, this is a great way to look at it. I seem to be finding that the 100% bursts of effort move me forward the quickest, But I don’t rest for long enough - so the next time my 100% is only worth 80% of the original effort.
Good article!
Dave Fowlers last blog post..What I Learnt From Crashing The Car – Part 2
Hi Lance - this is so true. I’ve seen me work until I was almost passing out and my business did amazingly well. I think, when you’re putting in a huge amount of effort - folk around you tend to do so also.
Contrast that with the months leading up to the final sale - I obviously wasn’t quite so enthusiastic. I wasn’t a slacker by any means but I did do less and it made a big difference to our turnover. Obviously we were still profitable though. But I guess part of the reason we were doing so well was because of earlier efforts.
Hey Lance! I am still making my rounds I finally came to check out one of my favorite bloggers. You know I totally agree with you on this. Having both of my children in sports, and having had coached each of them…I have many stories such as the ones you shared to tell.
I have changed my life over the past couple of months to reflect exactly what you said. I am going back to the original drive that kept me going years ago. It feels great! I am soaring. I do thank you for reaching out and giving me a boost.
Crickets last blog post..Meet Skooter
@Stacey/Create A Balance - You’ve earned that nap Stacey - enjoy it! If we go all out, we’re going to need breaks along the way…
@Stacey Shipman - “When we love what we’re doing, effort is not work…” — so true. And that’s when we’ll really want to give our best effort - when we are loving what we’re doing! And the effort is fun (usually).
@Dave - Thanks for sharing that viewpoint Dave - it really highlights the importance of rest (or a change) from what we’re giving our 100% to. If we don’t rest enough, then the next time out - we may not be as “able” to give 100%. That really is some good food for thought.
@Cath - Another great point! Our own efforts will help to raise others efforts as well - we build momentum on the teams we’re on by giving our best effort. And that’s like having our effort multiplied by many factors!
@Cricket - You are soaring Cricket, that’s awesome! Having kids on sports teams is really a great place to experience this - and seeing it in action - is a powerful statement to what “best effort” can really mean!
Lances last blog post..Guest Post: What’s Your Best Effort?
Hi Lance and Jack - This is a wonderful article filled with a lot of truth. When we do what we love, it’s easier to give it our all. My problem is when I must do something that’s not a favorite task, I realize I’m not always doing the best I can. I need to work on that.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..NBOTW - The Happy Thinker
Wow, what an incredible response. Thank you everyone for your comments and input. Thank you Lance for the great post!
- Jack Rugile
Simple Sapien
When I was experimenting with sleeping patterns, I ran across this sleeping pattern called Polyphasic sleep. You sleep every 4 hours around the clock for 15 minutes. You had to take a nap every 4 hours (which means you frequently took breaks, as suggested in this article), but you manage to only get 1.5 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. I did that for 273 days straight.
Therefore, I must agree that giving your best and taking many breaks, is better than saving your energy to last longer. In my experience it helps you bend the rules of average. Who would have ever thought that a person could live off from 1.5 hours in a 24 hour period for 273 days?
Thank you for the inspiration in sharing my story
Nicholas Powiulls last blog post..The Driving Force of Emotional NEEDS Behind Every Human Action (The Subconscious/ Psychology Reasons Behind Every Choice We Choose)
We have all had this moment of clarity: You end a conversation with someone, with anyone, and after you “hang up” you think of the things you wish you had said, but they came to you too late. You almost wish they would “call back”…
I just had a very heated and emotional discussion with a person who does not need to be identified here, on a subject that also does not need to be identified here. He was looking for my daughter’s phone number but was very vague about his motives or his identity when pressed.
The statement that I wish I had made was this:
” Do you ever talk to your God about what you do for a living? Do you ever discuss with Him your purpose in life, even for those 8 hours of the day, for that compensation, (What you do for a living, and What is the price of your soul?) and with your time on Earth?”
I am trying very hard NOT to be judgmental here, but I’m asking “Where do you sit and who sits on the throne of your soul?”
Enough said, please accept my apologies if any offense is given, it is not intended. Just food for thought….