November 29, 2006

A Question

Say you are asked to meet a certain qualification as a minimum. It could be a written test, or a physical type test. You are given the minimum requirements, and then evaluated. Keep in mind, even if you do better than the prescribed minimum, it will not be to your advantage. It won't hurt you, but it will not help in anyway.

Do you strive to meet the minimum, or do you push for the very best you can do? If 50% gets you in, are you happy with that? Or do you shoot for 100%? If 10 pullups were acceptable, do you still try for the "perfect" 20 or beyond?

This isn't meant to be a judgemental question, it's just to see how folks are. If you don't feel comfortable answering, change your info and answer anyway. Hey, I'll even say, "Please."

Me? Well... there have been a couple of instances when I've been happy with the minumum, but most times, it's a matter of personal pride to do the very best that I can do, even when it really matters not... to me, it does. But I'm kinda anal about that. There's my answer, where's yours?

Posted by That 1 Guy at November 29, 2006 07:12 AM | TrackBack
Comments

can i watch you do pullups? i'm more of a scorekeeper than an achiever. i think i strive for survival and am elated with any extras.

now a question for you: it's getting colder, how bout a camo post?

Posted by: shoe at November 29, 2006 08:20 AM

I dislike being average! Very much so, yes. It is what seperates us from all others, our ability to excell in areas where we are gifted. I'll do the 20 pullups, after shedding about 30 pounds of course!

Posted by: leggerman at November 29, 2006 08:33 AM

Ok, I'm guilty of trying to overachieve. Not in the pull-up example but definately in the scoring example. I'm not disappointed if I don't get 100% but I'd be disappointed if I didn't try.

Posted by: oddybobo at November 29, 2006 08:37 AM

T1G,
It depends. If it's a physical test, 50% is good enough for me. If it's a thinking test, I'll go for 100%. For example, I took Billiards and Bowling to fulfill my PE requirement in college. I also passed advance placement tests to get credit for Latin and Algebra.

Posted by: Jerry at November 29, 2006 08:45 AM

Overachiever me?

Not only will I go for beyond the max on a physical test (22 pullups) on a mental test I might even point out where their test was flawed.

I did that to the Army a few times.

Posted by: rsm at November 29, 2006 08:50 AM

Yeah, it probably won't surprise you to hear "good enough" just doesn't quite cut it for me. I'm kinda sorta driven. I give it my best, and if it helps great. If not, at least I have the satisfaction of knowing I gave it my all.

It's that damned Amish work ethic....

Posted by: Tammi at November 29, 2006 08:52 AM

I dunno, I think it depends

If the winner of the pullups gets 23 Million....I'm a pull up fool

On the other hand if the winner gets to eat raw uranium so the others can watch him glow...I think I may hurt myself walking to the pull up bar :)

Posted by: BloodSpite at November 29, 2006 10:00 AM

Always have to do the best I can do then I bitch that I know I can do better.

Never satisfied, the life of an overachiever.

Posted by: Quality Weenie at November 29, 2006 10:39 AM

My answer would be sort of obvious, wouldn't it? ;)

Posted by: Ogre at November 29, 2006 10:40 AM

depends on if anyone was watching and how enthusiastic I was that day. Somedays I'm an overachiever other days it just whatever.

Posted by: sticks at November 29, 2006 04:28 PM

Anything I do, I try to do the best of my ability. It's a matter of pride. The better I do, the better I feel.

Posted by: Contagion at November 29, 2006 06:06 PM

... try hard and do your best.... and that goes for everything.... never shirk... try and be content in the knowledge that you gave it your full effort.....

Posted by: Eric at November 29, 2006 07:00 PM

I tend to be an overachiever myself.

However, if it is something that I feel like I won't be good at or won't make it, I'll set my mind up to be "okay" with minimum. Like, "well, at least I passed" type mentality.

Posted by: Sissy at November 29, 2006 09:36 PM

of course you go for it..

otherwise you are just another pussy, and frankly darling the Worlds got enough of those already!

GO FOR IT

Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at November 29, 2006 10:03 PM

Go full out. If for no other reason than making damned sure you hit the necessary mark.

Posted by: Jim - PRS at November 29, 2006 10:46 PM

Take Chou Baby up on her offer...she looks good naked, and if you don't believe me, just ask Velociman.

Bwahahahahah!!!

I always go all the way for it.

Posted by: Yabu at November 30, 2006 11:20 AM

BTW - What is this "change your info" stuff you mention? You mean people *DO* that? Is it actually possible to comment as some you aren't??!?!?!

hmmmmm imagine that!

Posted by: Tammi at November 30, 2006 04:07 PM

For me, I don't feel right unless I know I've left it all out on the field so to say. Whether it be physical or mental I want to know I gave it my all. And thanks for the b-day salutation.

Posted by: spurs at November 30, 2006 04:27 PM

In my world you do the best you can. Go big! :-)

Posted by: Richmond at November 30, 2006 06:12 PM