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Jason - Drop The Mask Podcast's avatar

I've called that out as an interviewer for a job. "Only 110%? Why not 120%?" (in a friendly poking way). The same thing works for minimum wage advocates. "Only $15/hr? Why not $69??"

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Domenic C. Scarcella's avatar

In reading this article, I gave it 99.44% pure effort, just like the old Ivory soap ads.

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Adam Haman's avatar

That's a lot! Thank you!

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Jeremiah's avatar

This bugs me too. Do you have any suggestions for a phrase to use instead?

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Adam Haman's avatar

Definitely. Just say what you really feel. Say why the project or job or idea or whatever is important to you. Make it personal. Describe how it wouldn't be "just a job" or whatever. Place the thing in your hierarchy of values where it fits, and make the case persuasively that you mean what you say.

I think that sort of communication is what really lands hard and impacts people. "110%" is just so stupid and meaningless. Stand out. Say why you find this thing so meaningful and will pour so much of yourself into it.

That's how you meaningfully stand out and make a great impression.

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Jeremiah's avatar

Got it!

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B. G. Jackson, HB's avatar

How about "I'll give this *literally* 110%"? Hehe.

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