A workplace advice video by Instagram creator Avreen has sparked a conversation about professional boundaries, overworking and the pressure to constantly perform at your highest level.
Calling herself a “corporate big sister”, Avreen suggests that employees should not feel compelled to give 100 per cent every single day.
Your Best Can Become the New Normal
Avreen’s argument is based on a simple workplace pattern. If an employee regularly completes work much faster than expected or remains available outside office hours, those efforts can eventually be treated as normal.
For example, replying to work messages late at night may initially earn appreciation. Over time, however, colleagues or managers may begin expecting the same availability regularly.
The 80% Idea
Instead of constantly operating at maximum capacity, Avreen recommends keeping some energy in reserve. Her suggested approach is to work at around 80 per cent when possible and save the remaining capacity for demanding periods, emergencies or difficult personal days.
The idea is not presented as an excuse to avoid responsibilities but as a way to create more sustainable working boundaries.
Why Young Professionals Are Relating
The post has resonated with many office workers who say that continuously exceeding expectations can eventually lead to exhaustion. Some users responding to the video shared experiences of long working hours and changing their habits after feeling that extra effort had simply become part of their regular workload.
The discussion reflects a wider shift in how younger professionals view productivity, availability and work-life balance.
A Different View of Productivity
The debate is less about deliberately doing less and more about understanding sustainable performance. Employees still have deadlines and responsibilities, but the conversation raises a question about whether constantly working at peak intensity should become the standard.
As workplace culture continues to evolve, setting reasonable boundaries may become just as important to employees as demonstrating productivity.