Some time ago I heard an interview that honestly stayed in my head for several days.
It was a well-known person in the media world of my country. Someone successful from many points of view:
- a good physique,
- money,
- recognition,
- discipline,
- public presence.
But there was one phrase he said after talking about a long relationship that had ended, and it made me reflect a lot:
“Today I would rather be an 8 in everything than a 10 in just one thing.”
And honestly, the more I thought about that phrase, the more sense it started to make.
The Modern Obsession with Being “The Best”
We live in a time when it seems like everyone wants to become a “10.”
The best body.
The best company.
More money.
More productivity.
More success.
More results.
And although there is nothing wrong with wanting to improve, I think we often end up sacrificing too many important areas of our lives just to stand out in one.
Because the truth is that life is much more complex than a single metric.
Being an 8 Does Not Mean Mediocrity
And here I want to clarify something important.
When I talk about “being an 8,” I am not talking about settling or living in mediocrity.
I am talking about balance.
About building a life where several important areas can coexist in a healthy way.
Because honestly, becoming an absolute “10” at something often requires sacrificing too much:
- time,
- health,
- relationships,
- peace of mind,
- emotional stability,
- or even your own identity.
And I think that is something very few people really talk about.
Life Does Not Always Reward Extremes
Nowadays I see many people obsessed with taking one area of their life to the highest possible level.
And again, there is nothing wrong with pursuing excellence.
But extremes also have consequences.
For example, I have met people obsessed with the gym to the point of risking their health by using anabolic substances to reach an extreme physique.
And yes, everyone is free to do whatever they want with their body.
But when you look at it more deeply, many times in trying to become a physical “10,” they end up neglecting:
- mental health,
- emotional stability,
- relationships,
- family,
- or even their future well-being.
And I think that applies to many areas of life.
There are people who are a “10” in money but a “2” emotionally.
Or a “10” professionally but completely empty in other important areas.
The Problem with Living an Unbalanced Life
Over time I understood something important:
Success in just one dimension does not guarantee a full life.
Stephen R. Covey, in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, talks about the importance of developing different human dimensions:
- physical,
- mental,
- emotional,
- social,
- spiritual.
And honestly, I think there is a lot of truth in that.
Because a healthy life does not depend on only one skill.
It depends on the balance between different parts of ourselves.
The Reflection Messi Left Me
Some time ago I saw an interview with Lionel Messi where he was asked if he regretted anything.
One of the things he mentioned was very interesting:
He regretted not having spent more time learning other things outside of football. Languages, business, and other kinds of knowledge he could have developed while he had the chance.
And that made me think a lot.
Because if even someone considered one of the greatest football players in history can feel that he neglected other important areas of life, then maybe being an absolute “10” in one thing does not always mean you have fully won.
The Way I See Life Today
Today I try to build a more balanced life.
I go to the gym.
I read.
I work.
I keep learning.
I spend time with my family.
I try to take care of my mental health.
I develop my professional career.
Am I perfect at all of that?
Definitely not.
But honestly, I do not want to become an obsessive “10” in one single area while destroying the rest.
And that is where that phrase started making a lot of sense to me:
I would rather be a balanced 8 than an empty 10.
The Trap of Perfection
Philosopher Byung-Chul Han talks a lot about how modern society constantly pushes us toward extreme performance.
We must always:
- produce more,
- improve more,
- stand out more,
- optimize more.
And honestly, I think many people end up exhausted trying to reach an impossible perfection.
Because it is never enough.
There is always:
- someone more successful,
- stronger,
- richer,
- smarter,
- or more productive.
And the more you chase that absolute perfection, the easier it becomes to lose yourself in the process.
Balance Is Also a Form of Success
I think that for a long time we underestimated the value of a balanced life.
Because socially we admire extremes a lot.
But honestly, today I value more:
- peace of mind,
- stability,
- healthy relationships,
- time,
- health,
- constant growth,
- and purpose.
Even if that means not being “the best” at one single thing.
Final Reflection
Over time I understood that life is not necessarily about becoming an absolute “10” in one single aspect.
Because many times, to achieve that, you end up sacrificing important parts of yourself.
Today I honestly prefer to build a more complete life.
More balanced.
More sustainable.
Not perfect.
But good enough in the things that really matter.
And maybe there is a much healthier form of success there than the modern obsession with standing out at any cost.