How Hard Should I Push Myself?
Is the hard work the true way? Where is the line?
We've all heard the old-gold, "Work smarter, not harder." But how often do we really need that advice if we're honest with ourselves? If you're anything like me—constantly on the grind, never a dull moment—you've probably found yourself at the edge of a precipice more than once, questioning the sustainability of your drive. You're far from alone. A fast-paced world that never sleeps demands that we constantly adapt, innovate, and, most importantly, push ourselves beyond our limits. The struggle lies in knowing just how far we should go.
I recently came across an article that dealt with this very article: How Hard Should I Push Myself? It got me thinking: Where do we draw the line between ambition and self-preservation? The environment we find ourselves in doesn't just suggest but almost insists that we keep hustling. But how much is too much? Or, paradoxically, is it possible that we're actually holding ourselves back in pushing so hard?
The Currency of Resilience
Imagine your work ethic as a currency, something akin to a natural resource. Just like any finite resource, once it's gone, it's gone. No amount of ambition can refill an emptied well. We talk about resilience as if it's the be-all and end-all of business and personal development. But what happens when resilience becomes a euphemism for recklessness? After all, even the sturdiest of ships can sink if they venture too far into turbulent waters.
In the cinematic universe, think of Tony Stark. A genius, billionaire, and philanthropist, Stark had everything and pushed himself harder and harder. The result? Not just technological marvels but personal costs that questioned the wisdom of such relentless drive. It's like that moment in Iron Man 2 where he's told, "You're too young to understand this right now, so I thought I would put it on film for you. I built this for you. And someday, you'll realize that it represents a whole lot more than just people's inventions. It represents my life's work. This is the key to the future. I'm limited by the technology of my time, but one day, you'll figure this out."
The point here is that we all have limitations, not just in technology but energy, time, and emotional well-being. Like Stark, it's crucial to recognize these limits to unlock our true potential without falling apart in the process.
The Psychology of Pushing
So, how hard should you push yourself? The key lies in awareness—understanding when you're stretching your elastic limits and when you're about to snap.
This is not an endorsement to slack off, far from it. But it is an invitation to think critically about your trade-offs.
I push it really, really hard during the work week—10-12 hours of meetings, endless emails, etc. We call it internally 'Avatar mode,' and once you make it to the weekend, your systems just shut down. This also works with any illness; it waits for a weekend or day off to strike because, during the work week, there's no space for it. Weird.
"Avatar mode" isn't merely a buzzword; it's almost a philosophy, a setting that I engage to harness hyper-productivity and focus. It's like becoming a superhero version of myself, where I'm doing more, achieving more, and seemingly unstoppable. In this mode, everyday inconveniences like fatigue or even illness seem to be put on hold—as if they, too, recognize that this isn't the time nor the place to make their presence felt.
While this approach has catapulted my ventures like Belkins and Folderly to industry-leading positions, it's also served as a double-edged sword. The level of exertion in "Avatar mode" has a physical and mental toll that usually manifests during the weekends—my body's way of saying, "Enough is enough."
So, are you cutting corners with your health, relationships, or personal development just to hit those monthly, quarterly, or annual targets? Because let's face it, even if you reach those heights you aspire to, what’s the value if you can't be around to enjoy them?
And here’s the thing: While we're busy focusing on the immediate deliverables, are we missing the bigger picture? Are we making decisions based on short-term gains while losing sight of long-term visions? It’s like watching a Tarantino film for the action sequences but missing the nuanced storytelling and character arcs that make it a masterpiece.
My experience
The speed at which I moved, whether it's in sales, marketing, or operations, has been a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s been the driving force behind the successes of my companies like Belkins and Folderly. We’ve been recognized and celebrated, but we've also been dangerously close to the edge.
As someone deeply rooted in the sales and marketing sectors, my natural inclination is toward uncompromised growth and innovation. But it's also led me to ponder the non-linear aspects of success. Are we, myself included, prone to becoming so fixated on the immediate goals that we lose sight of the larger vision?
I’ve had to come to terms with the reality that the answer to how hard you should push yourself isn’t found in the extremes—it's somewhere in the middle. It's not about quitting when the going gets tough, nor is it about driving yourself into the ground; it's about learning to dance on the edge of your limitations. It's realizing that true resilience isn’t just about enduring but evolving, adapting your pace and strategies to the challenges and opportunities that present themselves.
So, while pushing hard may be the order of the day, knowing when to recalibrate your efforts isn't just wise—it's essential for long-term survival and prosperity. Just as a wise general knows when to advance and when to retreat, so must we in the battlefields of business and life.
Navigating through it
Well, where does this leave us? Balance is the operative word here.
Being a go-getter doesn’t have to come at the cost of being a go-giver—to yourself and to those around you. Set achievable goals but also realistic timelines. Don't set yourself up for failure by expecting to sprint through a marathon.
The modern work environment requires us to push hard, to be adaptable, and to strive for constant improvement. Yet, it’s equally important to pull back when needed, to reflect on the why, the what, and the how. Knowing how hard to push yourself is a lesson in awareness, planning, and resilience.
Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. And as any seasoned runner will tell you, it's not just about how fast you run but how well you pace yourself. That's the true essence of not just surviving but thriving in the race of life.
Post-Credit Scene
Catch a kudos; you've made it to the end. Here's a little something extra for that.
The Tip:
If you're at that point where you're pushing too hard and are on the verge of burnout, it might be a good idea to engage in some "deliberate downtime." This is a set period where you take a step back to recharge, reassess, and strategize. Don't just wait for weekends or vacations; make it a regular part of your work cycle.
The Book:
If you want to dive deeper into the psychology of high performance and how to maintain it sustainably, check out "Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success" by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness. The authors delve into the science of success and offer actionable insights.
The Link:
Have a look at this TED Talk by Arianna Huffington, "How to Succeed? Get More Sleep." It's a quick watch but offers a profound perspective on how rest is not the enemy of work but a partner in sustainable success.
TED Talk by Arianna Huffington
See you next time!
I truly enjoyed reading this, Vlad! If we take it physiologically, there's a process in human's organism called homeostasis. An organism always has to maintain the body's internal environment within limits to allow it to survive.