half > 10%

Someone I know was being self-deprecating when pointing out that they are tired of doing things halfway. It struck me as an interesting comment, in part because I know about the work environment. I suspect many would be surprised to hear that their colleague is not content with the current level of productivity. But, as is often said, it's all about the context.

You see, in this setting not that many people are applying themselves. Or most people are not applying themselves. I think a reasonable estimate is that most are operating at about 10% of capacity. This has many benefits to individuals: they seem rested and content, and it seems to promote longevity. One who has been especially good at conserving his energy arrived in his current (and only?) position in the mid-1960s. Here one could find support for the oft-disputed myth about humans only using 10% of their brain.

So if one person is just involved halfway in an environment populated by ten-percenters … heck, that guy's doing the work of five of us! And as long as the system remains closed and nobody changes their behavior patterns, then things will remain hunky-dory. The problem arises when somebody recognizes what it might mean to be at 100%. Should such a dramatic realization dawn upon the group, the halfway guy seems pitiful if not feeble.

My lovely high school social studies teacher opined that no one should begin vast projects with half-vast ideas. Admittedly, 100% seems to be a standard none of us can sustain, presumably because that would require unwavering effort on only one task. But being aware of only giving 50% seems to me to be enough reason to either aim for 100% or begin to relax -- even to sink to 20% is twice as good as the others. Under those arrangements, to fully invest oneself in just one day in five still preserves the appearance of being energetic and ambitious.