Maybe I led you to believe it was easy, when it wasn’t
In March 2023, I had the honor of organizing the first event for the Mavericks community, a space I’ve created for professionals who, like me, believe in working smart and with intention. Mavericks are those who know the rules so well that they know when and how to break them, without blindly following someone else’s narrative. It was an event full of learnings, but there was one moment that deeply resonated with me: the talk by my friend and mentor, Bty Martínez.
Bty quoted a phrase that Michael Jordan, the basketball legend, said in a commercial for his brand Air Jordan:
"My biggest mistake was making you think it was easy."
This phrase is part of a monologue Jordan narrated for an ad created by the agency Wieden + Kennedy, and beyond selling shoes, it encapsulates a universal truth about success:
“Maybe it’s my fault. Maybe I led you to believe it was easy, when it wasn’t. Maybe I made you think my highlights started at the free-throw line, and not in the gym. Maybe I made you think that every shot I took was a game winner. That my game was built on flash, and not fire. Maybe it’s my fault that you didn’t see that failure gave me strength, that my pain was my motivation. Maybe I led you to believe that basketball was a God-given gift, and not something I worked for, every single day of my life. Maybe I destroyed the game. Or maybe, you’re just making excuses.”
This message is a wake-up call for anyone who thinks success is about luck or innate talent. Jordan, despite being considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, didn’t reach the top by chance. It was the result of endless hours of training, discipline, and an unbreakable mindset.
And this brings me to the core of my philosophy: Never give 100%.
When people hear the title of my book, many are surprised or even upset. They think I’m promoting mediocrity or a lack of effort. But the reality is quite the opposite. What I want to convey is that, to achieve excellence without burning out, you must train so much that what others consider a "100%," for you is only 40% or 60%.
In my work, many people think I perform "magic" because of the quality and speed with which I deliver results. But the truth is, there are no tricks or shortcuts. What they see is the result of years of experience, discipline, and a constant learning attitude.
How do you manage not to give 100%?
Train until the exceptional becomes your normal: When you master a skill to the point that what others consider a monumental effort feels natural to you, you can reserve your energy for the moments that truly require it.
Learn to prioritize: Not everything deserves your maximum effort. Identify which tasks, projects, or relationships are truly worth it and focus on them.
Turn failure into fuel: As Jordan said, failure gives you strength, and pain motivates you. Learn from every mistake and use it to improve.
Don’t fall for the illusion of constant effort: Giving 100% all the time is unsustainable. True mastery lies in knowing when to step forward and when to step back to recharge.
The next time you see someone doing something that seems "magical," remember that behind that apparent ease are hours of training, discipline, and a focused mindset. Don’t be fooled by the highlights; the real magic lies in consistent work and knowing when to give that 100% that truly makes a difference.
Because, at the end of the day, never giving 100% isn’t about not putting in effort—it’s about training so much that your 60% is someone else’s 100%.
