Sustainable Success
Sustainable success
To be successful you must be able to sustain your efforts over decades.
Anything that is truly valuable takes decades to achieve.
- If you want to build a successful business, it will take years, not months.
- If you want to build a championship performance, it will take years of sustained effort.
- If you want successful relationships, you want them to last for years, not months.
To be successful you must "play the game" for years. So therefore, you must work in ways that are sustainable.
In this respect there are two ways that people fail.
- Some people don't work hard enough. The consequences of laziness are obvious.
- Other people work too hard, for too long. The consequences of working too hard, are not obvious. But they are very real. The consequences are mental and physical overwhelm and the eventual collapse of mind and body.
In order to be sustainable, your efforts must fall within the middle ground between the two extremes. This means working hard, with sufficient rest and recuperation.
Working too hard
Do you know anyone who pushes themselves too hard?
They work until they collapse. They fall ill, then they slowly recover. The moment they feel recovered, they immediately go back to overworking again.
The formula for disaster is: Work, work, work, work, work, work, collapse.
If you are in this cycle you must do the following three things:
- Recognise the futility of the cycle.
- Commit yourself to change.
- Replace the cycle with the success formula, of a sustainable working practice.
Sustainable Working
Sustainable working means you work hard; then you rest and recuperate; then you return tomorrow and work hard again; then you must STOP working and go home and rest.
The formula for success is: Work, rest, work, rest, work, rest.
Balance work and rest
Remember that you are a limited resource facing an unlimited demand. If you work too hard for too long, you will exhaust your limited reserves of mental and physical energy and you will experience a meltdown.
Therefore, you need to respect the laws of your nature and work in ways that will allow you to keep winning for decades to come.
Moderate the intensity, duration and frequency of your work effort.
Balance work and rest.
About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Further Reading in Personal Effectiveness
-
The Benefits of Following a Good Exercise Programme
Irrespective of who you are, your situation would be better if you improved your physical health. And your health will be improved by the right exercise programme.
Read Article > -
How Can I Make People Like Me?
Everyone wants to be liked by others. Being honest and trustworthy, is a good start. Here are ten tips to remember if you want to be liked and admired by others. Try one today, you will be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
Read Article > -
Take Pride in Yourself
Don't confuse pride with arrogance. You can feel good about yourself without being big-headed. Don't let your thoughts become a self-fulfilling prophecy, use self-determination to empower yourself.
Read Article > -
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the ability to empathise, or understand and appreciate how another person feels, given their context. Learn how to develop your emotional intelligence.
Read Article > -
What is Common Sense?
Do you make decisions based on instinct, rumour, guesses or fake news? Or do you take a practical, factual approach to life? If so, you have common sense. Common sense is the ability to think logically.
Read Article >
Looking for Personal Development Training?
If you're looking to develop your Personal Effectiveness Skills, you may find this Personal Development Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 23 days, Online - Teams, places available