The Pendulum of Performance
Simon Cusden
Co - Founder - Whole People Group | Well-Being and High Performance Coach | Keynote Speaker | Recovered Addict | Ex-Cricketer | Twin Dad | Husband
Reclaiming the Balance Between Excellence and Well-Being
For decades, high performance was defined by relentless hustle. Success was measured in hours worked, stress endured, and how far one could push beyond their limits. The result? Burnout, mental health deterioration, and a toll on bodies and relationships that became catastrophic. This "grind at all costs" mindset created short-term wins but long-term destruction.
Executives, athletes, and professionals alike have buckled under this pressure, with some taking drastic actions to escape.
The High Cost of Old-School Performance:
While the old model produced results, it neglected well-being. It glorified excelling in a single area—be it career or finances—at the expense of other aspects of life. The consequences were severe: broken relationships, deteriorating health, and a sense of emptiness that left many feeling unfulfilled.
"Success without well-being is not success at all—it's simply unsustainable."
The Pendulum Swings Too Far
In response, society shifted toward self-care. Mental health, mindfulness, and balance took center stage. People realized the damage caused by ignoring their needs, and self-care became the new mantra. However, in the rush to correct the imbalance, the pendulum swung too far in the other direction.
Self-care, once a tool for managing stress, is now often mistaken for comfort, with people avoiding challenges under the guise of "taking care of themselves."
The New Dilemma:
"True self-care isn’t about avoiding hard things; it’s about preparing yourself to handle them better."
Finding the Middle Ground
The real problem isn't self-care or grit—it's that we keep swinging between extremes. The key to sustainable success lies in balance. We need a model that embraces both the need for self-care and the drive for challenge.
Balance is the Solution:
Stat: According to research by Stanford University, people who regularly challenge themselves and embrace discomfort show higher levels of life satisfaction and long-term achievement than those who avoid difficult situations.
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Redefining High Performance
To redefine high performance, we must recognize that true success is multi-dimensional. It’s about excelling in all areas of life—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—not just one.
This new model includes well-being as a crucial component of success.
Steps to Redefine Success:
"Discomfort isn’t the enemy—it's the pathway to growth. Without it, we stay small."
Practical Strategies for Balanced Performance
Stat: According to the Harvard Business Review, leaders who prioritise holistic well-being—physical, mental, and emotional—report higher levels of productivity and longevity in their careers.
The Rewards of Mastery
Mastery, in any domain, is deeply fulfilling. It’s not just about career advancement; it’s about deep, sustained engagement that brings meaning and improves overall well-being.
The Danger of Comfort: As we become more addicted to ease and instant gratification, we risk losing out on the deep rewards that come from mastery.
"True mastery isn’t just a pursuit—it’s a lifeline to a healthier, more fulfilling life."
Mastery requires discipline, grit, and the ability to work through discomfort, but it also fosters emotional health and mental clarity. The pursuit of long-term goals provides a sense of purpose that fleeting comfort simply cannot offer.
Conclusion: Evolve, Don’t Abandon Old-School Values
We must evolve the old-school values of grit and resilience, not abandon them. Success doesn’t have to come at the cost of well-being, and self-care doesn’t have to mean avoiding challenges.
The balance lies in embracing both the hard work needed for high performance and the self-care necessary to sustain it.
Final Thought: By blending discipline and self-care, grit and recovery, we can create a life where both high performance and lasting well-being thrive. The pursuit of greatness requires discomfort, but it also requires rest. It’s in this balance that we find true, sustainable success.
Stat: Studies show that companies that support employee well-being see a 21% increase in productivity and a 41% decrease in absenteeism (Gallup).
If you'd like to chat to me about any of the themes above please email me [email protected]
I help you create significant change, personally and professionally.
4 周Excellent article, Simon, on a crucial topic. While we all strive for excellence, it should not come at the expense of our well-being or that of our organisations. We might consider adopting a 'Slow Excellence' model—one that emphasizes sustainability and longevity. True excellence stems from thoughtful, kind, and deeply creative practices rather than the quick, surface-level achievements that may appear impressive but are ultimately fleeting. This haste often leads to burnout and compromises the quality of our work, detracting from our overarching goals for ourselves and our organisations.
The Energy Coach for CEOs Fitness & Wellbeing | Public Speaking Speaker | Actor | Endurance Athlete
1 个月Brilliant article Simon - especially the part around the pendulum swinging too far the other way & avoiding challenge. Loved this quote:"Discomfort isn’t the enemy—it's the pathway to growth. Without it, we stay small."
Private coach & group dynamics | Addressing stress, trauma & burnout through Ayurveda | Author “Your Peaceful Belly” “The Little Book of Ayurveda” | Civil Service part-time— delivering mental health.
1 个月This is SUCH a good article. When people come to me for an Ayurvedic health plan, they want a plan that will make them feel good in the short term and, they dont want to make any changes in their lives. We live in a culture that teaches us to reach for a pill and a quick fix. But what we need is to make some different life choices, and be prepared to do the work of that. Ayurveda is absolutely fantastic, in that you can discover how to return to balance, in a way that is tailored to your constitutional requirements. But, it will require some work, as you learn a new skillset. You're so right Simon, self-care needs to move beyond the fluffy.