Why Trying Harder Makes You Worse

How maximum effort introduces the tension that destroys flow, creativity, and results

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The best performers in any field share a counterintuitive trait.

They don’t try as hard as everyone else.

Watch elite sprinters and you’ll notice something strange. While most runners are grimacing, jaw clenched, fists tight, trying to force every ounce of speed from their bodies, the fastest ones look almost relaxed.

Their faces aren’t contorted. Their shoulders aren’t tense. They’re running at what looks like 85% effort while everyone else is maxed out at 100%.

And they’re winning.

This isn’t just true in sprinting. It’s true in negotiation, creative work, difficult conversations, and almost every domain where performance matters.

Maximum effort kills performance.