110% Is Too Much... False Promises in America
- May 27, 2015
- 2 min read
An eager young job applicant awaits an answer from a challenging interview. The perspective new boss looks up from the resume and says something about expectations or performance hinting that they're going to give the applicant a chance. The applicant gives the textbook response "Absolutely, you can count on me, I'll give 110%!" There it is 110%, the kiss of death for this employees future failures and American integrity in general.
Coaches demand it and players promise it. Employers and companies deserve it and employees make giving it their daily standard. Ranking officers (especially drill sergeants) yell that they need it and soldiers scream back their promise of it. Couples promise 110% commitment to the relationship. Yet, somehow think that 110% is what is split when the relationship ends.
That's the very reason splitting or parting ways is so difficult in business or relationships. That extra 10% promised by each involved simply isn't there...it was a lie. A lie to make them sound better, special and extraordinary above others.
The overzealous cliché of empty promise is impossible to achieve. Once cannot give more than is there. Only 100% of the job can be done. In an employment situation one can do the work of others. I am a very strong man and I am very familiar with leverage. In a job lifting or hauling heavy things I can do the work of more than one man. However, no matter how many more items I can carry in comparison to others, only 100% of the job is being completed.
As for relationships, especially with kids involved, it's sometimes hard to be complete... promises of extraordinary are what hurt most at the end.
So the next time expectations of your performance are mentioned commit to do your best. To one you truly love a promise of all you can give is a lifetime of doing your best. To a team or club you can only aspire to be a valuable or even the most valuable member. But in any scenario of sports, love, care or life never promise what you can't give. It's a bluff, and if you can 110... I'll go 120... Joey will top me with 130 and so on and so on. In the end reality always wins... so stick with it from the start.
Comments