We all strive to be the best, to reach the top tier in various aspects of life. From school grades to career achievements, being in the top 10% often sounds like the ultimate goal. But what if being at the peak isn’t always a good thing? Sometimes, landing in that top percentile can bring more trouble than triumph. Let’s explore ten surprising situations where you’d actually prefer to be wonderfully average.
10. Food Waste Generation
It’s a global challenge we all face: reducing food waste. Astonishingly, billions of tons of food go to waste worldwide each year. While it’s a common misconception that wealthier nations are the primary culprits, developing countries also struggle significantly with this issue. For instance, while China and India have high overall household food waste, their per-person average is under 154 pounds (70 kilograms) annually. Contrast that with Australia, where the average person throws away about 225 pounds (102 kilograms) of food each year.
Nobody wants to be a top contributor to food waste. In the United States, a staggering 40% of all food produced is never consumed. That’s about 365 million pounds (165 million kilograms) wasted daily! The good news is we can all make a difference. Here are simple steps to cut down on your food waste:
- Shop Smarter: Buy only what you’ll use, even if it means more frequent, smaller grocery trips.
- Embrace Imperfection: Pick those ‘ugly’ fruits and veggies. They taste just as good and need a home too!
- Reimagine Leftovers: Get creative with leftover meals. If you’re not a fan, try making smaller portions to begin with.
- Compost Creatively: Turn food scraps into nutrient-rich compost. If you can’t compost at home, see if a community garden can use them.
- Donate Generously: Share unneeded, good-quality food with local food banks or charities. They can connect your surplus with those in need.
9. Excessive Drinking Habits
Enjoying an alcoholic beverage in moderation can be a harmless social activity for many. However, when drinking habits escalate into the ‘top ten percent’ territory, it becomes a serious concern. Drinking patterns differ greatly among people due to various influences.
Interestingly, data from The Washington Post revealed that about 30% of American adults abstain from alcohol, often for religious or health reasons. The same source suggested that having just one glass of wine nightly places an individual in the top thirty percent of drinkers in America.
But this list focuses on the top ten percent. Individuals in this group consume an average of 74 drinks per week, which is more than 10 drinks every day. The dangers of such heavy drinking are widely recognized and include risks like alcohol poisoning, fetal alcohol syndrome if pregnant, and an increased likelihood of aggressive behavior.
Long-term health consequences of excessive alcohol intake are severe, including a compromised immune system, various cancers, depression, high blood pressure, and alcohol dependency. Occasional drinking poses minimal health risk for most, but being a top-ten percent drinker is a status nobody should aim for.
8. High Body Weight
When does too much of a good thing become detrimental? Food often comes to mind. We absolutely need to eat, but it’s equally vital to maintain a balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity. These habits are key to sustaining a healthy weight. Consistent overeating or binge eating can rapidly lead to excessive weight gain.
Setting aside aesthetic concerns, there are compelling health reasons to avoid being in the top 10% for body weight. The CDC outlines numerous health problems associated with obesity, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Chronic body pain
- Increased risk of certain cancers
- Gallbladder disease
Managing your overall fitness and weight is crucial. However, it’s also important to remember that being underweight carries its own set of dangers. When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, moderation and consistent effort are paramount.
7. Excessive Work Hours
A fulfilling job and a strong work ethic can certainly enhance your life. Yet, it’s crucial to carefully consider how you prioritize your time. The ‘rise and grind’ culture has been deeply ingrained in many of us. Despite this, you likely don’t want to find yourself in the top 10% for weekly work hours. Working excessively can lead to negative health impacts, primarily from stress and insufficient sleep. Too many hours on the job can also put a significant strain on your social life and family relationships.
A stable income is undoubtedly a priority, especially if you’re supporting a family. Working extra unpaid hours, arriving early, and staying late are common practices. When reflecting on working too much, think about your health and the quality of your relationships with family and friends. Regardless of how many hours you work each week, remember you only have one life to live.
6. High Golf Scores
Golf is a widely enjoyed sport, with many people playing casually in weekly or monthly games. In golf, the objective is to complete the course using the fewest strokes possible. Many casual golfers don’t even bother keeping score, focusing instead on enjoyment.
A standard 18-hole course typically has a par of 72. Par represents the average number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take for a hole or the entire course. For example, a ‘par 3’ hole is expected to be completed in three strokes. Golf, however, is a challenging game, particularly for those who don’t play regularly. Golf courses often maintain records of official scores. When it comes to these scores, you definitely don’t want to be in the highest 10% of strokes! Perhaps a bit more practice at the driving range is in order before your next round.
5. Quantity of Friends (Online)
Making friends is a positive experience. Cultivating friendships can significantly boost your mental well-being by providing a supportive community. However, in today’s social media-driven world, a ‘friend’ can sometimes just be a number on your profile page. According to research by Dr. Mary Kempnich, humans generally have the mental and emotional capacity for about 150 meaningful relationships. This number might have seemed large before the internet era, but now many of us have far more than 150 online ‘friends’.
While being friendly is generally a good trait, you only have so much time and energy. Dr. Kempnich explains that about 60 percent of our social effort is typically invested in just around 15 key people. Accumulating ‘too many’ online friends can paradoxically lead to feelings of isolation, an increase in narcissistic tendencies, and even diminished self-esteem. Having genuine friends and close relationships is vital, but it’s important not to spread yourself too thin!
4. High Blood Pressure
Often dubbed ‘the silent killer,’ high blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to severe health complications. The Mayo Clinic states that high blood pressure can manifest symptoms like headaches, shortness of breath, and even nosebleeds. However, this dangerous condition frequently goes unnoticed and consequently untreated.
Medical professionals generally categorize blood pressure into four main stages:
- Normal blood pressure: 120/80 mmHg or below.
- Elevated blood pressure: Systolic pressure (top number) between 120-129 mmHg, and diastolic pressure (bottom number) 80 mmHg or lower.
- Stage 1 hypertension: Systolic pressure between 130-139 mmHg, or diastolic pressure between 80-89 mmHg.
- Stage 2 hypertension: Systolic pressure 140 mmHg or higher, or diastolic pressure 90 mmHg or higher.
The top 10% for blood pressure readings typically fall within the stage 2 hypertension range. It’s crucial to monitor your blood pressure regularly to ensure it stays within a healthy range. If your readings are consistently outside the normal range, it’s important to consult a doctor. This is undeniably a situation where being in the top ten percent is harmful and can even be life-threatening.
3. Amount of Debt
There’s an old saying about two certainties in life: death and taxes. Perhaps we should add debt to that list, as it often feels unavoidable. Managing debt effectively by prioritizing payments on high-interest loans is essential. Common sources of debt include mortgages for homes, car loans, student loans, and medical expenses.
According to 2020 data from debt.org, the average debt levels varied significantly across different generations:
- The Silent Generation (75 and older): Averaged just over $40,000 in debt.
- Baby Boomers (ages 56 to 74): Averaged more than $97,000 in debt.
- Generation X (ages 40-55): Carried the highest average debt of any group, at over $140,000 per person.
- Millennials (ages 24 to 39): Faced an average debt of $87,448.
- Generation Z (ages 18 to 23): Averaged $16,043 in debt.
When it comes to debt, less is unequivocally more. This is one area where being below average is a clear advantage and something to strive for.
2. High Mortgage Interest Rate
For millions of homeowners, mortgages represent a significant monthly outgoing. If you have a mortgage, your goal is undoubtedly to secure the lowest possible interest rate. Those who find themselves in the top ten percent for the highest mortgage interest rates will ultimately pay thousands, if not tens of thousands, more in interest over the lifespan of their loan.
While it’s true that you may have limited control over prevailing interest rates when initially purchasing a home, it’s beneficial to keep an eye on federal interest rate trends. If market rates drop significantly below your current mortgage rate, you may have the opportunity to refinance. Refinancing can potentially lower your monthly payments and save you a substantial amount of money in the long run. This is another clear instance where aiming for the bottom ten percent is far more advantageous.
1. Extreme Height
Being tall can offer distinct advantages in certain scenarios. Need help reaching something on a high shelf? Looking for an extra player for your basketball team? Trying to see over a crowd to understand what’s happening? In these cases, being tall, or having a tall friend, is quite useful. However, individuals in the top 10% for average height (generally considered above 6 feet, 2 inches) often face some significant daily inconveniences.
You might not appreciate being exceptionally tall when:
- Shopping for clothes: Finding clothes that fit well can be incredibly challenging if you’re very tall.
- Entering rooms: If you’re not particularly tall, this might not resonate! Most door frames are built to accommodate heights between 6 and 7 feet, but many are shorter. For exceptionally tall people, this can mean habitually stooping to enter rooms.
- Fitting into small cars: Ever squeezed into the backseat of a two-door car? It’s rarely comfortable, regardless of your height. For very tall individuals, it can be an ordeal or sometimes simply impossible.
Another downside to extreme height is an increased propensity for joint and back pain. Studies also suggest that very tall individuals may have slightly shorter lifespans compared to their average-height and shorter counterparts.
So, while ambition is admirable, these ten examples show that sometimes, not being in the top 10% is the real win. Whether it’s about physical health, financial stability, or even leisure activities, moderation and balance often lead to a happier, healthier life. Striving for ‘good enough’ can be much better than reaching an undesirable extreme.
What other areas can you think of where being in the top 10% isn’t ideal? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
