10 Situations When Being in the Top 10% Is Not Ideal

Unfortunately, people tend to compare themselves to others. It begins in school, where we compare our grades with friends, and it continues throughout life as we measure our social standing and overall quality of life. We often aspire to be the best, but is it always the right goal?

When it comes to things like income, health, intelligence, and more, many of us dream of being in the top ten percent. But there are certain instances where being at the top can actually be more of a burden. Below, we highlight ten occasions when you’d rather not be in the top ten percent.

10. Food Waste

To preserve resources, we must cut down on food waste. Every year, billions of tons of food are thrown away worldwide. While many think food waste is more of an issue in wealthier nations, reports show that it’s a significant problem in developing countries as well. China and India are the largest contributors to household food waste annually, yet their per capita waste is under 154 pounds (70 kilograms). By contrast, Australians discard an average of 225 pounds (102 kilograms) of food per person each year.

None of us would want to rank among the top ten percent for food waste on an individual level. However, on a larger scale, 40% of the food produced in the United States goes uneaten. This translates to a staggering 365 million pounds (165 million kilograms) of food wasted every day! The situation, though troubling, is not beyond hope. There are steps you can take to reduce the amount of food you toss out by the end of the week, such as:

• Purchase only what you need—even if it means grocery shopping every two to three days
• Opt for “ugly” fruits and vegetables—don’t judge food by its looks; the taste is the same
• Appreciate your leftovers—if you’re not a fan of leftovers, cook smaller portions to cut down on waste
• Compost food scraps—if you can’t use them, reach out to a community garden
• Donate excess food—local food banks and organizations can direct you to people who would benefit from your donation

9. Drinking Habits

Moderate alcohol consumption is generally considered harmless, but when it reaches “top ten” levels, it becomes a significant issue. Drinking habits can vary greatly based on a number of factors.

According to The Washington Post, 30% of American adults refrain from drinking alcohol, typically for health or religious reasons. The article notes that simply consuming a glass of wine each evening places you within the top thirty percent of American drinkers.

This list isn’t focused on the top thirty percent, but rather the top ten! The top 10% of drinkers consume an average of 74 drinks each week, equating to more than 10 drinks daily. The risks of excessive drinking are widely acknowledged, including alcohol poisoning, fetal alcohol syndrome, and an increased propensity for violent behavior.

Long-term consequences of heavy drinking include a compromised immune system, various types of cancer, depression, high blood pressure, and alcohol dependency. While occasional drinking presents a minor health risk for most people, you certainly wouldn’t want to be part of the top ten percent of drinkers.

8. Weight

How much of something good is actually too much? A common example many of us think of is food. We obviously need to eat, but it’s equally important to maintain a balanced diet and exercise regularly. This is the key to maintaining a healthy weight. Overeating or binge eating can both contribute to significant weight gain.

Putting vanity aside, there are several health-related reasons to avoid being part of the top 10% in terms of weight. The CDC highlights a variety of symptoms and side effects associated with obesity, which include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Coronary heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Body pain
• Cancer
• Gallbladder disease

Maintaining a healthy level of fitness and weight is essential. However, being underweight can also pose risks. When it comes to sustaining a healthy weight, the key lies in moderation and discipline.

7. Work Hours

Having a well-paying job and a solid work ethic can significantly benefit your life. However, it's crucial to evaluate your priorities when it comes to how you spend your time. The 'rise and grind' mentality is something many of us have been taught since childhood. But chances are, you don’t want to be in the top 10% when it comes to weekly work hours. Overworking can have serious health consequences, primarily due to stress and sleep deprivation. Excessive hours can also take a toll on your social and family life.

While having a steady income is undeniably important, especially when supporting a family, working beyond regular hours—arriving early, staying late—has become a common practice. However, it’s vital to balance work with your health and relationships. No matter how many hours you put in, remember that you only get one life to live.

6. Golf Scores

Golf is a widely enjoyed sport, with many people participating casually in weekly or monthly games. The aim in golf is to complete the course with as few strokes as possible. Many recreational players don't even bother keeping track of their score.

An 18-hole course usually has a par of 72, where 'par' represents the average number of strokes expected to complete a hole. For instance, a 'par 3' means it's expected to take 3 strokes to finish. However, golf is a challenging game, particularly for those who don’t play often. Most courses keep official records of player scores, and when it comes to golf scores, being in the top 10% of stroke counts is definitely something to avoid! Consider spending more time practicing at the driving range before your next round.

5. Amount of Friends

While being friendly and socializing is generally beneficial, there's only so much of you to go around. According to Kempnich, 60 percent of our social energy is invested in around 15 people. Having 'too many' online friends can lead to feelings of loneliness, narcissism, and diminished self-worth. Building friendships and maintaining close connections is crucial, but don’t stretch yourself too thin.

4. Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, often referred to as 'the silent killer,' can lead to serious health complications. According to The Mayo Clinic, it can cause symptoms like headaches, shortness of breath, and even nosebleeds. The reason it's called 'the silent killer' is because it frequently goes unnoticed and untreated.

The Mayo Clinic categorizes blood pressure into four main groups:

• Normal blood pressure is 120/80 or lower
• Elevated blood pressure is 120-129, with the bottom number staying at 80 or below
• Stage 1 hypertension is 130-139, with the bottom number ranging from 80-89
• Stage 2 hypertension is 140 or higher, with the bottom number being 90 or above

The highest 10% of blood pressure readings fall into the Stage 2 hypertension category, which is a serious health concern. Monitoring your blood pressure regularly is crucial to ensure it stays within a safe range. If it’s outside of the normal range, scheduling a visit with a doctor is highly recommended. In this case, being in the top ten percent is not a good thing—and it could even be life-threatening.

3. Height

Being tall can certainly have its perks. Need help reaching something on a high shelf? Looking for a player to fill a spot on your basketball team? Want to see over a crowd to get a clearer view of what's happening? In all of these situations, being tall, or having a tall friend, can be a real advantage. However, those who find themselves in the top 10% of height (over 6 feet, 2 inches) also face some significant drawbacks.

You may start to reconsider being exceptionally tall when you experience:

• Shopping for clothes: If you're very tall, finding clothes that fit properly can be quite the challenge.
• Entering rooms: Most doorways range between 6 and 7 feet high, but many are even shorter. For someone particularly tall, this means constantly bending down as they pass through doors.
• Getting into small cars: Ever tried sitting in the backseat of a compact two-door car? It’s uncomfortable for anyone, but for very tall people, it can be downright painful, or even impossible.

Another disadvantage of extreme height is the increased risk of joint and back pain. Additionally, very tall individuals often experience shorter lifespans compared to those of average or shorter stature.

2. Mortgage Interest Rate

For millions of homeowners in the United States, mortgages are a significant monthly expense. If you're paying a mortgage, securing the lowest interest rate is a priority. If you're stuck with one of the top ten percent of the highest interest rates, you could end up paying thousands more over time in interest.

While you likely have little control over the interest rate when purchasing a home, it's essential to keep an eye on federal interest rates. Should rates drop below your current mortgage rate, you can refinance to take advantage of the savings. This is one of those situations where being in the bottom ten percent would definitely be more beneficial.

1. Debt

As the old saying goes, some things are certain in life: death and taxes. Or perhaps it's debt and taxes? At various points, debt can seem unavoidable. It's crucial to manage your debt by focusing on paying off the high-interest ones first. Many people accumulate debt through car or home purchases, student loans, or medical bills.

According to debt.org, here’s a breakdown of the average debt levels faced by various generations in 2020:

• The Silent Generation (ages 75 and above) carried an average debt of just over $40,000.
• Baby Boomers (ages 56 to 74) had an average debt load exceeding $97,000.
• Generation X (ages 40 to 55) led all groups with an average debt of more than $140,000 per person.
• Millennials (ages 24 to 39) were burdened with an average of $87,448 in debt.
• Generation Z (ages 18 to 23) had an average debt of $16,043.

In terms of debt, having less is definitely better. This is one area where falling below average is a clear advantage.