It said, don't try too hard. It said, there's no reason to try hard unless you enjoy being stressed out.
Trying hard in an environment where the C suite takes over 5 years to complete layoffs is not time well spent.
Until the layoffs conclude, always do the bare minimum for your own sanity. If layoffs come to your area, the likelihood that the decision maker even knows who you are is almost non-existent.
Try hard, don't try hard, same result either way. Might as well minimize your stress along the way.