balance – Topical Fruit

You Shouldn’t Give 100% at Work… a Solid 85% Is Plenty

If you’re constantly being told to give 100% — or worse, 110% — at work, it might be time to hit the brakes. According to a concept called the “85% rule,” putting in just enough effort could actually make you better at your job.

The idea? Stop overexerting yourself. Instead of running on all cylinders every minute of the day, aim to give about 85% effort. It sounds counterintuitive, especially in hustle culture, but there’s science — and Olympic gold — behind it.

The rule was popularized by none other than track legend Carl Lewis.

The Olympic sprinter was known for starting races at a seemingly relaxed pace, only to surge past competitors in the final stretch.

Why? Because he wasn’t tensed up and burning out in the first half — he was running at about 85%, saving the rest for when it really counted.

In a work setting, the same logic applies. Operating just below your maximum capacity can actually help you:

Stay mentally flexible
Be more present and aware
Boost your creativity
Avoid burnout

By contrast, always pushing yourself to the limit can leave you drained, scattered, and ironically, less productive.

Think of it like trying to drive a car with your foot glued to the gas pedal — you’re going to burn through your fuel fast and probably miss your turns.

Of course, this doesn’t mean slacking off. The 85% rule isn’t about doing the bare minimum — it’s about working smart, not just hard. It’s a reminder that peak performance often comes when we dial it back just enough to stay sharp, steady, and sustainable.

So the next time someone tells you to give 110%, just smile and give them your well-balanced 85. Carl Lewis would approve.

Skipping Lunch Is Hurting Your Brain!

If you’re someone who regularly powers through your lunch break, you’re not alone — and the toll it takes on your mental health may be bigger than you realize. A recent study out of Australia found that nearly 80% of workers occasionally skip their lunch break, with most reporting that it negatively affects their mental well-being.

It’s easy to see how it happens. A looming deadline, a project in full swing, or just the inertia of being “in the zone” can make lunch feel like something you can push off or skip altogether. But experts warn that this habit, while common, comes at a cost.

According to a workplace psychologist quoted in News.com.au, skipping lunch doesn’t make us more productive — it actually does the opposite.

“We think that not taking breaks is making us more productive,” she explains, “but the trade-off is we’re not giving our brains a chance to rest.”

Over time, that leads to burnout, stress, and a decline in overall productivity.

One practical solution gaining attention is setting a “lunch alarm.” By scheduling a reminder on your phone or smartwatch, you create a simple but powerful nudge to step away and recharge. It’s a proactive strategy that encourages you to reclaim your break, even on the busiest days.

This small habit shift aligns with a growing awareness about the importance of mental health in the workplace. Globally, companies are recognizing the role that breaks and downtime play in preventing burnout.

From “no meeting” lunch hours to designated wellness rooms, many employers are looking for ways to support their staff’s well-being.

But even if your company isn’t there yet, a personal lunch alarm is something you can control.

Of course, the reminder only works if you don’t ignore it. So, as the psychologist advises, “putting strategies in place to prevent burnout is the best approach.” Translation: don’t just hit snooze twelve times — respect the break as a critical part of your day.

In an always-on culture, pausing for lunch may feel like a luxury, but it’s increasingly clear that it’s a necessity. A simple midday alarm could be the gentle push you need to protect your mental health and, ultimately, perform at your best.

Survey Says: We Know if Our Day Is Ruined by 8:36 A.M.

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Even if you’re the kind of person who springs out of bed ready to conquer the world, you have to admit: mornings are chaos just waiting to happen. And now, science (okay, a survey) backs that up.

According to new research, the average person knows if their day is officially ruined by 8:36 A.M. (No, they didn’t just poll people who wake up at 8:35.)

Whether it’s a missed alarm, a screaming child, or a mysteriously non-functioning coffee maker, it doesn’t take much for things to unravel early.

The survey found that most people experience four “bad days” a month, or about 48 per year.

That’s almost one a week where everything seems to go sideways before breakfast. So what’s behind these early-morning meltdowns? Here are the top 10 ways we know the day is doomed:

Waking up and feeling sick – 35%
Sleeping poorly throughout the night – 31%
Waking up with a headache – 29%
Losing your keys – 26%
Forgetting your phone at home – 25%
Running out of toilet paper – 22%
Forgetting your wallet at home – 22%
Sleeping through your alarm – 19%
Realizing you forgot to charge your phone – 18%
Stubbing your toe – 17%

It’s a reminder that sometimes the little things—like stepping barefoot on a LEGO or discovering the milk is gone—can feel like a cosmic betrayal, even before 9 a.m.

But hey, if we know the day’s off track early, that means we’ve got all day to turn it around, right? Or at least time to hit the reset button… after a fresh cup of coffee and maybe a bandage for that toe.