09 Sep The Secret to Excellence: Do Ten Percent More

Most people do exactly what it takes. Most people work relatively hard, show up pretty much on time, and do what’s generally asked of them. In by 9? No problem, boss. But for the rest of us, the goal isn’t to be like most people; the goal is to excel beyond what it takes, to put in more effort, to see more of a return. The goal isn’t to be good; it’s to be frickin’ great.

But the path to excellence is bumpy, with twists and turns coming out of nowhere. And exhaustion can be a real danger, even for someone with a high tolerance for stress. So how do you ensure you’re on the path to greatness each and every day without burning out by 30? Simple. Do ten percent more. That’s it. Ten percent.

If most people at the office put in 40-hour weeks, start putting in 44 hours. By the end of the year, you’ll have logged an additional 192 hours—24 full work days. Think what you can accomplish with that extra time, and all you had to do was stay 48 minutes longer each day. If you want to be a better parent, spend 10 percent more time with your family. Wanna lose weight? Log ten percent more time at the gym. The results may not be immediate, but over time you’ll start to move ahead, until you’re standing right at the front of the line.

In this age of immediate everything we’ve lost appreciation for the long game. If given the choice, most people go for the short-term win every time, without ever really thinking strategically about how their actions affect the future. But short cuts are risky and often leave you further from your goal than when you began.

Look at anyone who’s achieved significant and sustainable long-term success, and you’ll began to see a trend. It isn’t so much about the short bursts of hyper-concentrated work, rather it’s the continuous flow of focused effort executed over a considerable period of time.