How to do better work by doing less
Gilbert Iundt; Dimitri Iundt/Contributor/Getty Images).
✅ Today’s tip: To do your best work, put in 85% effort.
There’s a belief that in order to succeed, you need to go full-throttle at all times. But as the writer Tim Denning explains, this thinking actually works against you.
Denning points to the example of Carl Lewis, the legendary track and field star and Olympic gold medalist, who would often start his sprints in last place before pulling ahead to win. Some assumed Lewis was just a slow starter who ramped up speed at the end. But video footage showed that wasn’t the case — from the start of the race to the finish line, he would keep his pace, form, and breathing exactly the same, staying consistent when others petered out.
It turned out that Lewis was able to achieve more by taking it slow (well, slow in world-class running terms). The strategy became known as the 85% Rule—meaning you work at 85% capacity rather than 100%—and it can apply to any type of work. As Denning writes: “When your mind is relaxed, you’re able to produce better, more thoughtful results.” So find ways to slow down: take breaks, focus only on what’s essential, and carve out time to think rather than do. And then watch yourself go further.
📚 More from Forge on working smarter:
To Do Better Work, Change Your Environment
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