As a kid I would reluctantly help out around the house, doing chores my parents had asked me to do. I remember a phrase my dad used to use often after I completed said chores…
Half a job.
This was a running trait I had through school, or really any academic work, doing just enough to get by, very much an average student.
However, put me in a sports scenario and my outlook changed. I would challenge myself to do better, both physically and mentally. Not purely because I enjoyed playing sports, but the competitive aspect drove me to do better.

Fast forward 10-15 years and I look back at how I used to do the little things, jobs around the house, homework (if ever), part-time work etc. The only difference between playing sports, education or work, was how I applied myself, holding myself accountable for what I achieved or didn’t achieve.
Over the past decade I have tried to put equal effort into anything I do, being competitive with myself rather than others. At times it’s only natural to take the easier route, but for the most part I would say I have achieved a certain quality and approach to everything I do.
And it helps.
Everything you do grows and complements each other.
When you hold yourself to a certain standard of work ethic no matter the job, role or challenge you tend to get greater satisfaction, and therefore, you’re happier within yourself and what you have accomplished.
When we look at the realms of health and fitness people generally apply themselves to one or two areas, totally neglecting others that would complement their efforts.
Most often or not this being either exercise or diet, rather than both, or half of one and half of the other. Never really going the full mile.
Take fat loss for example…
An individual, let's call him Dave, puts in a great deal of effort getting up early to hit the gym for an hour before work every week day, which is fantastic for increasing his activity level to help lose those extra pounds.
Sadly though, Dave is neglecting his nutrition.
Sure Dave might make a few better food choices throughout the week, however, he still gets the odd takeaway and weekend beer instead of making smarter choices (perhaps a shop bought pizza or diet soda/low calorie beer).
4 weeks have past and Dave hasn’t lost any weight, he might be fitter but that’s not his goal. If only Dave had applied himself in all areas he would be well on his way to making positive change.
If you’re going to make an effort to improve a behaviour, do it to the best of your ability, read up about the subject before blindly taking action.
If you want to improve the quality of your diet, focus on consistently reaching 5-6 servings of fruit and vegetables.
If fat loss is your goal don’t just start removing certain trigger foods, track the remainder of your diet as well and implement foods which might help steer off cravings.
Take that extra time to write down or log your food on a mobile app, you’ve done half the work so you might as well go all the way and get the best results possible.
The same goes for exercise, make a note of what you’re doing in the gym, replicate it and increase certain variables to make sure you are making progress.
Don’t do a Dave…
Don't do half a job.
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