Reckless Thoughts Garden

My 50 - 5 - 0.5 rule

I once wrote a letter to my goddaughter about hard work. She is just 6 years old now, but I like to think that in the future she will read those letters in time of need and get at least some comfort or direction.

While I was writing it, I started talking about remaining with this almost innocent and childish thought that we can be whatever we want while she gets older. It's not uncommon to hear things like "I want to be an astronaut" from children. But when we get old, it's often as well to think about the hard work we need to do to get there - and also the many challenges we might face to be even able to try. And that's when we give up on the childish though of being whatever we want - that's when we stop dreaming.

We often choose to believe something is impossible - or that we're not enough - than face the brute reality that to achieve things, you just got to show up. Everyday. To everyone.

This is where the 50-5-0.5 rule comes in. Not as a limitation, but as a map of your journey.

Making Strategic Choices

The 50-5-0.5 rule isn't just about potential—it's about conscious choice. Here's how I apply it:

The 50% - The Foundation

I won't do anything unless I can at least be average at it. This isn't about mediocrity; it's about maintaining a baseline of competence across necessary life skills. Think of it as your personal minimum viable standard. Whether it's public speaking, basic fitness, or professional skills—being in the middle of the pack is your starting point, not your ceiling.

The 5% - Strategic Excellence & Enablers

This tier isn't just about achievements—it's about building the foundation that powers your 0.5% performance. I like to put super important things here that can be considered enablers to my 0.5%.

Think of these as your performance multipliers:

These aren't just good habits—they're the force multipliers that make your 0.5% possible. When your physical health is optimal, your mental state is balanced, and your systems are efficient, your ability to excel in your top priorities multiplies exponentially.

Being in the top 5% in these areas doesn't mean you're a professional athlete or a mental health expert - those would be the 0.5% of other folks. It means you're consistently better than 95% of people at maintaining these crucial life supports. This creates a compound effect: each enabler builds upon the others, creating a foundation that supports your highest achievements.

The 0.5% - The Holy Trinity

This is where you make your mark. For me, it's three non-negotiable areas:

  1. My unique contribution — what I can do that no one else can.
  2. Being there for my family and friends
  3. The relationship with my partner

These aren't just areas of excellence; they're the cornerstones of my life. They get my best energy, my deepest focus, and my unwavering commitment.

If I'm not at least the top 0.5% at this, I failed.

Some food for thoughts that I like to cook

Being average is not failure. Also, thinking no one can beat you at A or B isn't being an a__hole.

The 50-5-0.5 rule isn't just about capability—it's about choice. It's about deciding where I want to be average, where I excel, and where I'm exceptional. Most importantly, it's about protecting and nurturing those few precious areas to be truly extraordinary.

Being average at most things isn't a failure—it's a strategic choice that allows you to be exceptional where it matters most.