Sam, being makpid because you feel like doing so is a great thing indeed. However, people feel like being Makpid on Lashon Hara is not possible for them and they give up before they start.
The same goes for Limud Hatorah. Being unaware of the main Chiyuv of learning some by day and some by night, people think that the minimum is to learn at all times, and give up before they start. I can understand why a Rebbe would prod his Talmidim that they must learn the whole day, but they should be aware what’s what.