Going the extra mile at work is often seen as a sign of dedication. Finishing assignments ahead of schedule, responding quickly to messages and taking on additional responsibilities can help employees stand out. However, doing these things consistently may also create expectations that become difficult to maintain. A woman named Avreen has sparked a conversation online after sharing a different perspective on workplace productivity.In a video posted on Instagram, she advised corporate employees against giving their maximum effort every single day, arguing that consistently exceeding expectations can eventually make exceptional performance seem ordinary. Her message centres on a simple idea: employees should not feel pressured to operate at full capacity all the time, especially when their energy, personal circumstances and workload can change from day to day.
‘Your best becomes your baseline’
Explaining her point, Avreen said employees may unintentionally set unrealistic expectations when they repeatedly complete work much faster than required or remain available outside regular office hours. “Stop giving 100% at the office. And no, I’m not telling you to be lazy. You think that if you finish a 6-hour task in 3 hours, you’ll look very efficient. That’s not the case at all. From tomorrow, that work will permanently become a 3-hour job for you. You reply on Teams once at 10 pm: bravo, according to them, you are now available every night at 10 PM. Because there is an unsaid rule in corporate: ‘Your best becomes your baseline.’ So, give only 80% at work and save that 20% for the days when your energy is genuinely low, something is going on in your personal life, or there’s an actual emergency at the office.”Her argument reflects a concern familiar to many employees. When someone regularly finishes tasks early, managers and colleagues may begin to expect the same speed every time. Similarly, replying to work messages late at night, even occasionally, can create the impression that the person is available beyond normal working hours.These expectations may not always be formally communicated. Instead, they can develop gradually as people become accustomed to an employee’s performance and availability. However, Avreen’s point is not that employees should deliberately perform poorly or avoid responsibility. She is encouraging them to recognise the difference between doing good work and pushing themselves to their limits every day.
Why saving some energy can matter
Avreen’s suggestion to work at 80% and reserve the remaining 20% is best understood as a way of thinking about sustainable effort, rather than a strict formula for measuring productivity. Workloads are rarely consistent. An employee may have a relatively manageable week followed by a demanding deadline, an unexpected assignment or a personal situation that requires additional attention. Someone who is already operating at maximum capacity may find it harder to manage these changes without feeling overwhelmed.Maintaining reasonable boundaries can also help employees protect their personal time. For example, responding to a message late at night once to address an urgent issue does not necessarily mean an employee should be expected to do so every night.At the same time, workplace expectations differ across roles, industries and organisations. Some assignments genuinely require urgent attention, and employees may have agreed responsibilities that extend beyond standard office hours. The key is to distinguish genuine emergencies from situations in which constant availability has simply become a habit. Setting realistic timelines, communicating workload concerns and clarifying expectations with managers can help employees maintain a healthier balance without compromising the quality of their work.
Internet agrees with her message on boundaries
Avreen’s video received reactions from social media users, with several agreeing that employees need to establish limits around their time and effort. One user wrote, “Setting boundaries is so important.” Another commented, “This is actually so true.” A third person said, “Corporate life explained perfectly.” Echoing the broader message, another user wrote, “Work smart, not endlessly.”The responses reflect a familiar workplace debate about dedication, efficiency and the pressure to remain constantly productive. While employees often want to prove their abilities and contribute meaningfully, consistently going beyond expectations can become difficult if those efforts are treated as the new standard.Ultimately, Avreen’s advice is a reminder that professional commitment does not have to mean being available at every hour or working at maximum intensity every day. Delivering quality work, communicating clearly and preserving enough energy to manage unexpected challenges can be just as important as completing a task ahead of schedule.
