Welcome to another installment of our Fitness Wisdom series! Today, we’re diving deep into an essential concept that can revolutionize the way you approach your fitness journey: The Law of Diminishing Returns.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “It takes 20% of the effort to get 80% of the results.” The opposite is also true- that last 10-20% will cost you a ton of effort, time, and practice. Well, when it comes to fitness, this principle often holds true, and here’s why.
Consider those high-skill movements or capabilities that seem enticing, but also incredibly challenging. Whether it’s mastering a complex yoga pose, lifting a weight that seems insurmountable, or becoming a ninja at CrossFit, these goals can demand countless hours of dedication and practice.
Here’s where the Law of Diminishing Returns comes into play: The closer you get to perfection, the more effort and time it takes to make incremental improvements. In other words, it might take you just a few months to get to 90% proficiency in a skill, but it could take years to reach 95% or 99%.
So, the question is, where do you want to invest your fitness efforts? While it’s fantastic to strive for mastery and give your all to achieve your fitness goals, it often makes more sense to aim for that 90% mark in most abilities. This allows you to build a broad, versatile base of fitness that can benefit you across various activities and daily life.
However, let’s not forget the positive side of pushing beyond that 90%. If you’re an athlete or compete in a specific sport, pushing the boundaries of your capability can be essential. Achieving that extra 10% or more might be what sets you apart from the competition and helps you reach your peak performance.
In summary, the Law of Diminishing Returns teaches us that it’s wise to get to 90% with most abilities, building a strong and diverse fitness foundation. But it’s equally crucial to recognize when to go beyond that, especially if you’re competing at the highest level or pursuing a specific, challenging goal.
The decision is ultimately yours, and using our “Deep Health” principles can help you decide. Whatever you decide (and it can change over time) approach it with an big heart, and open and curious mind, and make sure you monitor how you are feeling throughout- our ultimate goal is to be healthy, for a looooong time!