Having enjoyed Bonfire night, the image of a carefully constructed bonfire serves as a powerful metaphor for building a sustainable approach to high performance in our professional lives.
Strong Foundations
The warmth and light of a bonfire starts with the deliberate arranging of logs, an approach contrary to the hasty, and reckless, act of splashing petrol to encourage a quick but unsustainable flame. As we pursue high-performance, we too must care for our foundations, prioritising our health, wellbeing, and happiness, instead of sacrificing them in the reckless pursuit of instant gratification. This ensures we can be consistent, a key element of high-performance, rather than a one-hit wonder, a flash in the plan.
The World Health Organisation’s definition of health as a complete state of physical, mental, and social wellbeing is akin to the balance needed for a bonfire to burn effectively. We must nurture all these aspects to create a consistent and controlled burn, rather than a fleeting flare-up that leaves people running for the warmth and comfort of indoors in no time.
The Art of Rest and Recovery
Embracing Stephen Covey’s wisdom of ‘sharpening the saw’ is crucial in maintaining this steady burn. Finding ways to rest and recover is akin to allowing the bonfire space to breathe; too much fuel without oxygen and it will suffocate, too little and it will die out. Your personal rest is the oxygen that keeps your flame alive. We must also recognise this will look different for each of us, whether that’s time alone, engaging in hobbies, spending time with close friends and family, or going out in large groups.
The Heart of the Flame
The bonfire is central to the gathering, offering a place for people to come together, find warmth and share stories. In our work, meaning and purpose act as the heart of our professional lives, keeping us burning bright. It’s what sustains us, even when the work demands more from us, acting as a buffer against the exhaustion of burnout.
The final touch in building a lasting bonfire of high performance is being intentional about our engagement with the ever-present screens in our lives. As we turn off our phones, like during a heartwarming bonfire celebration, we are reminded of the beauty of the present moment, the warmth of real connections, and the soft glow of health that comes from balanced living.
From Knowledge to Action
Reflecting on this recent Bonfire Night, let us embrace the wisdom of the bonfire. Build your high performance on a foundation of wellbeing, fan the flames with rest and purpose, and guard against the quick burn of unchecked busyness. Let’s commit to a life of high performance that’s not a fleeting firework but a sustaining bonfire, providing consistent warmth and light to all aspects of our lives.
Coming Soon: Becoming a Better Human
You can learn more about high-performance my upcoming book ‘Becoming a Better Human’. Due to be published in 2024, Becoming a Better Human will bring together insights from experts, the world of psychology, and real-life experience, and features advice on how to make the most out of life by living intentionally.
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