The Power Of The 100 Percent Rule

Michael Patanella
Nov 1 · 4 min read

Recently, I was introduced to a concept called the 100 Percent Rule. It’s a clever idea to say the least. It’s an ingenious philosophy, one that I think so many people could get a good, and sturdy quality of life out of it.

When we think about percentages of effort, how much work will we have to put forth into making something happen? Something with good end results. Many people may be quick to jump the gun, and assume that while they can probably succeed at putting forth 80 or maybe 90 something percent focus, attempting to put an entire 100 percent into something is likely just too difficult to accomplish. It must be asking just way too much. I never put a lot of thought into that type of theory. But, let’s look at it, and see just how powerful this philosophy really can be.

This reminds me of two different, but quite distinct eras in my life. Each one, reflected these type of theories quite extensively. Before getting into that, let’s see what this is really all about

The 100 percent rule is a theory that claims putting 100 percent of ourselves into an effort for a particular task or goal, is likely to find better, and longer kept success then if we just “sometimes” work towards something, or if we are just going to decide to work a goal 90 percent of the time, it can most likely lead us down that old familiar path of setting oneself up for crash and burn failure. Giving most of ourselves towards results may just not many results at all.

Maybe it can seem confusing, or even wrong at first. But when we look at actual examples, the validity of if shows itself through real life examples. Real experiences can go a long way for proving that a 100 percent rule of thumb, is one the most solid way to go about endless plans of action and goals.

My journeys and struggles with drug addiction, and weight loss/weight gain, are the truest examples in which anything under 100, was nothing but a percentage for failure with me. And don’t get me wrong. I didn’t learn that overnight. I learn the brutal, and hard way.

First off, my weight related health. After years of struggle, there just had to no longer be such thing as being on a “diet.” There was no success in eating right on weekdays, and having a cheat day on the weekend. I found success with it all, when instead of going on a diet, I went for a full blown life change. It was just one big boom of change. There was not going to be cheat days. I was just going to change everything about my bad eating habits once and for all.

From that day forward, I would just eat well rounded, and reasonable portion sized meals. There was no this or that. Or that and this. It was only one way of eating; the right way.

Then there was drug abuse, and drug addiction. Well folks, that should not be too difficult for anyone to see through how that kind of lifestyle played itself out. There may be moderation for some drinkers and druggers out there. But all I can say is I’m not one of them people.

While I have tried every level of recreational using throughout my life, I finally came to a realization that 100 percent of the time, I just can’t pick up drugs anymore. For myself, there just isn’t moderation that is an option. There is no “use cocaine just on sundays” idea that would work for me. Not even once.

I hope I was able to present a clear and logical take on the 100 percent rule. I also hope I have been successful in showing you that “all the time” is much easier then mostly, sometimes, or rarely. Real change is behind 100 percent.

-End

Michael Patanella

is a Trenton, New Jersey Author, Publisher, Columnist, Editor, Advocate, and recovering addict, covering topics of mental health, addiction, sobriety, mindfulness, self-help, faith, spirituality, Smart Recovery, social advocacy, and countless other nonfiction topics. His articles, publications, memoirs, and stories are geared towards being a voice for the voiceless. Hoping to reach others out there still struggling.

Thoughts And Ideas

An attempt to bring all heart-touching and thought provoking writings under one roof to make an impact.

Michael Patanella

Written by

Publisher, Editor, prolific nonfiction Author covering mindfulness, mental health, addiction, sobriety & spirituality. Medium.com/@MichaelPatanella

Thoughts And Ideas

An attempt to bring all heart-touching and thought provoking writings under one roof to make an impact.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade