What if we've been doing too much for too long?

In this episode, Sarah and Simonne unpack one of the most liberating (and controversial) productivity ideas out there: that 80% effort might be your sweet spot. Anchored in the Law of Diminishing Returns, they explore how going all in can sometimes give you less, not more, and why that last 20% is often where burnout, anxiety, and resentment live.​

This conversation is for anyone who has ever triple-checked a presentation, answered emails at midnight, or obsessed over things no one else noticed. (We see you hardcore overachievers!)​

But this isn't about lowering standards—it's about choosing peace over pressure. Sustainability over sacrifice. And trusting that enough can be more than... enough.​

 

Quote of the Week: 

"What if the smartest thing you could do was stop sooner?" — Simonne McVanel​

 

Greatness Together Podcast Highlights:

• What If 80% Was Actually A+? 0:00
• The law of diminishing returns. 1:00
• Finding your "enough". 3:00
• Do we need perfect? 6:30
• The challenge of comparison. 9:00
• Why keep pushing? 12:00
• Finding a middle ground. 14:30
• Next time: Generational Differences or Similarities? 17:21

 

Sarah reflects on her journey from corporate overfunctioning to aligned entrepreneurship, and the long road in between (that still requires vigilance!) Simonne shares the pressures of being a high-performing Gen Z woman navigating post-secondary education and prepping to enter the workforce. They explore what it might look like to reclaim energy, time, and joy, not just for yourself but also for the people you love who rarely see the "rested you."​

And if you're a parent, people leader, or someone navigating generational expectations, this one's especially for you.​

 

Generational Reflections on Enoughness 

In the conversation, Sarah reflects on growing up with "good, better, best" drilled into her, and how corporate culture rewarded 120% effort, even when it wasn't healthy. Simonne brings a different lens—acknowledging that while her generation is praised for boundary-setting, the pressure to constantly "optimize" everything still runs deep.​

Together, they explore how these generational norms intersect, diverge, and occasionally clash... especially when you're a high-functioning family of achievers!​

 

What Happens When We Choose 80%? 

Turns out, a lot. Better sleep. Deeper relationships. More time to create. Fewer mistakes (how ironic). Lower stress. In short: space. Simonne reminds us that our best thinking, connecting, and healing happen in space—not in the 2 a.m. grind.​

Whether you're a recovering perfectionist or just curious about doing life a little differently, this episode invites you to explore what it would feel like to stop at 80%—and be proud of it.​

Did you like this episode? Then you'll probably also like the episode that inspired it, Is the New Work Culture Better? 

 

Greatness Together Podcast Links:

• Is the New Work Culture Better?
• Why Do We Compare? 
• Do You Have High Expectations?
• Greatness Magnified
• Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast