#23 A counterintuitive plan to win 🏁
The 85% Rule
We have a natural inclination to associate high-performance with giving our 100%.
Don't get me wrong. Giving our best is essential.
The problem is when we believe results are proportional to our effort and desire.
The reality is, high-performance is more about optimization and consistency.
Giving it your all is no good if you have nothing left to finish and win the race.
For example, Carl Lewis.
He is a former sprinter and winner of 10 Olympic medals (9 gold 1 silver) that always left competitors, coaches and spectators in awe.
Photo: Athletics Weekly
At the beginning of every race, it always looked like he was going to lose.
But by the end, he managed to finish in 1st place well ahead of the competition. Hence his nickname "The Master Finisher".
His strategy was counterintuitive and against what we are taught to do.
Let's take a look.
When people studied his movement and effort vs other sprinters, it's evident that they have a stronger start.
But by the end, they are so exhausted that they begin to decelerate.
Lewis, on the other hand, stays calm, fluid and relaxed throughout the race.
It may seem like he runs harder and faster towards the end, but in reality, he is running at the same steady pace with which he started.
This is called The 85% Rule. It states that feeling the pressure of having to perform at 100% can lead us to "choke," overthink and not use our energy wisely.
By running consistently at 85% of his capacity, Lewis is faster because he's relaxed and therefore able to optimize his strength in the right way throughout the race.
Photo: Focus On Sport/Getty Images. Carl Lewis relaxed over the final 10 meters during a semifinal race at the 1988 Olympics.
So, while the other runners start at 100%, by the end, they tighten their faces and grind their teeth as they see Lewis cross the finish line ahead of them. Cool and relaxed.
The Takeaway:
Consistency > Intensity
When we start a new endeavor or new habit, it's easy to get carried away by the "hype" of the moment.
But the initial intensity and excitement will not get you across that finish line. Consistency will.
Pace yourself. Make a sustainable system where you can thrive. Be smart about the resources you are investing and think long-term.
Flow > Force
Putting too much pressure on ourselves and feeling that we must always be at 100% can paralyze us. The stress can cause us to overthink and crack under pressure.
By performing at your 85%, you relieve the pressure and become much more flexible and relaxed, which will naturally lead to a higher state of flow. This is when we perform at our best.
I first heard about The 85% Rule in Tim Ferris interview with actor Hugh Jackman which you can listen to here. The whole conversation is worth listening to.
I would love to hear from you. Let me know what you think.
If you enjoyed this Takeaway, share it with a friend!
Catch up or revisit previous Takeaways here.
Finish strong!
María Albert
For more, you can follow me here @maria_albert13.
If a friend shared this post with you, subscribe to future Takeaways here.