On September 29th, we celebrate the birthday of Mafalda, the iconic middle-class Argentine girl created by Quino, who, with a single question and answer, captured something profound. In one comic strip, Quino asks her: “Do you practice any extreme sports?” and Mafalda responds,

“Yes, sometimes I give my opinion.”

That line leads me to reflect on how rebellious it can be to simply speak your mind, to take a stand against society’s expectations. And that’s largely what my book "Never Give 100, My Sister Told Me" aims to do: it’s a small act of rebellion against a tired society that has led us to believe that only by overworking ourselves, by pushing until we burn out, can we achieve success or personal fulfillment.

This book stems from personal experiences and deep reflections on work life and its impact on our well-being. One of those experiences was forcing myself to work while sick. I remember how terrible I felt, physically drained, but I kept going because I thought I couldn’t afford to stop. It was a big mistake. Not only did it affect my body; the impact was mental and emotional. I felt guilty for not giving 100%, and at the same time, I was destroying my health. These types of decisions, though seemingly necessary, take a toll on every aspect of our lives.

That moment was a wake-up call for me: we cannot keep burning ourselves out until we’re empty. The idea that we must always give our all, no matter the circumstances, is dangerous. In fact, when everything is a priority, nothing is. This is where the Pareto Principle comes in, which I mention in my book. This principle, known as the 80/20 rule, states that 20% of actions generate 80% of the results. I apply it in daily life as a way to better manage our priorities.

I like to think of the example of an experienced waiter who can carry a tray full of plates without dropping any. It’s not that they manage each plate individually; rather, they know how to balance several at once, focusing on the 20% of crucial actions that ensure the success of the entire operation. This type of efficiency is what I try to illustrate in my book: it’s not about doing everything to the maximum, but about knowing where and how to invest our energy to get the best results.

Burnout, that physical and emotional exhaustion that so easily creeps up on us, is not something we should just learn to avoid. From my perspective, the issue runs much deeper than what is often covered in articles and posts. It’s not enough to talk about how to evade burnout or procrastination. The truth is that, many times, it’s only by experiencing that burnout that we learn not to repeat the same patterns. By now, I doubt anyone can say they haven’t experienced some form of burnout. What’s missing is more conversation about how to rise from those ashes, how to regain control of our lives after we’ve burned out.

That, ultimately, is what my book seeks to show: it’s not about never making mistakes or always giving 100%, but about learning to recover, to reorganize priorities, and to find the balance that allows us to move forward without destroying ourselves in the process.

True fulfillment isn’t found in self-exploitation; it’s in recognizing that we don’t always have to give 100%. It’s about identifying what truly matters in our lives and knowing how to focus our energy on those key areas, while leaving space for rest, reflection, and well-being. "Never Give 100, My Sister Told Me" is an invitation to rethink our priorities, learn from our mistakes, and remember that the small moments of happiness, those that bring us peace and joy, are just as valuable as any professional achievement.

Disclaimer: The views expressed are personal opinions of the authors and do not reflect the views of affiliated organizations. The information is for informational purposes only and not intended as professional advice.