Pretty much. It means give maximum output, which can easily be over 100%.

And that means burn out

When I have said it to people with the intention of them growing, first of all it is meant for their own benefit, not for getting good grades or work recognition.

I find it is important for people to know what their unrealised potential is, and growing as a result of doing something hard, and making this a positive cycle.

But the experience has to provide the rewards in itself. Pursuing external validation or trying to align with someone else’s idea of a noble goal will only lead to frustration. As well as decreased confidence.

All that said, you can’t have that goal through all your life. Do that for a while, take a rest that could be a weekend, a month or even 10 years long if you’re going through raising kids. As long as it’s in your own terms and you’re not hurting anyone. Nobody likes assholes.

Thinking about tropes is secretly the quickest way to get burned-out

When I was in college, it was very clear to me who wanted to or actually felt a need to be there and the people who were there because they were expected to. The people who didn’t really want to be there simply went through the motions, did the bare minimum for whatever situation they were in, and immediately fucked off because they did what they showed up to do. Their goal wasnt to be there, ot was to get through being there so they could do what they actually wanted to. The people who were actually invested in being there put in the effort and did extra stuff to ensure their success. They formed study groups, watched some YouTube videos on fuzzy topics, talked to each other about the material, went over sample tests, etc. Their time after class wasn’t the left-overs they had from their time at school, it was a resource to use to make their time at school better. Because school itself was actually their focus.

When I see statements like “Give it your all,” that’s where my mind goes. It tells me to not just go through the motions and expect true success at the other side. That shit takes work and dedication of time and energy. Not necessarily all of it to the point that you’re damaging your health, but that is often where it ends up. And it’s hard not to end up there if you compare yourself to others and feel a need to keep up to unrealistic standards.

In short, to me it means to actually apply your time and effort into it. Be invested in how well you do and what you can learn.

Depends on context, but it usually means give it your absolute best, ‘don’t leave anything out there’.

It can simply mean don’t slack.

I don’t think it usually means ‘do this to the obvious detriment of your health’.