Less effort wins
A counterintuitive experiment in the gym reveals a universal truth: doing less, but consistently, leads to achieving more in the long run
I started the year proclaiming a change of mindset. I wasn't going to push through the limits every workout, as I'd been programmed for my whole life up until that day. Instead, I was going to take it easier, so I could become more consistent. Easy does it. Or so I hoped.
The experiment worked better than expected. It turns out that pushing only to the level of mild fatigue and stopping there yields enough effect while not requiring me to take days off to recover.
Numbers don't lie. Seven days at 80% equals 560% total output. Four days at 100% caps at 400%. Moderation multiplies results. This is incredibly valuable when one's goal is increasing mobility and staying in shape. Showing up matters more than showing off.
Life isn't all that different from the gym. Whether in creative work, relationships, or personal growth, sustainable pace beats sporadic sprints. The sweet spot lies just below our maximum - that space where we can return tomorrow, stronger and steady.