Is consistency the key to being your best?

Working with individuals, groups, or teams, I consistently notice that people want to show up as their best selves.

However, sometimes, life feels like we are climbing a mountain with a backpack filled with stones, thwarting progress and eating up our motivation.

Reflecting on supporting individuals and teams over the years reveals some foundational aspects that can help us when we feel weighed down.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝐰𝐞 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁.

𝙏𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚: Thriving personally and professionally isn’t a matter of chance but of choice and intentionality.  How we rest, recover and review what is occurring makes a tangible difference.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵:

𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: High expectations drive excellence, but unrealistic ones set us up for failure and frustration.

Clarity around what’s achievable and meaningful ensures that our efforts align with impactful goals.

Leaders play a key role here—communicating priorities, recognising progress, and ensuring manageable workloads.

𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆:  Each of us has natural peaks and troughs in energy throughout the day. High performers don’t just manage time—they manage energy.

Knowing when to tackle deep work versus when to pause for reflection or recuperation allows us to leverage our best hours and avoid burnout.

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀: Carrying stress without a release valve is unsustainable. Prioritising recovery—whether through mindfulness, physical activity, hobbies, or simply stepping away—is not indulgent; it’s essential.

Teams that normalise recovery and discourage the "always-on" mindset are more resilient, innovative, and productive. People stay connected with these teams.

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱: Strengthening core skills and capabilities enhances our contributions, including our ability to elevate others. Leaders and team members a like create lasting impact by mentoring and sharing knowledge, creating a culture of growth and generosity.

𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝘆: Self-Care as a Leadership Priority

The local emergency department is not your team’s meeting room, and no one can give their best when self-care is absent. Working until we drop is a relic of the past, not a badge of honour.

Leaders who cultivate high-performing teams understand this requires a mindset shift:

• Self-care is strategic: It’s the foundation of sustainable success, not a reward for enduring exhaustion.

• How we work matters: Flexible approaches that respect individuality and optimise for energy cycles boost creativity and engagement.

• When we work is important: Respect for boundaries and recovery time are essential for maintaining peak performance.

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗼𝗺

What do you do to ensure you show up as your best?

Your insights could inspire someone else to make meaningful changes.

Feel free to share below—your tip might just be the catalyst for another person’s breakthrough.