Use Balance to Improve

In today's world, we often hear that we must push ourselves to the limit. The message is clear: if we’re not sacrificing everything for our goals, then we’re not trying hard enough.

But that’s simply not true.

Effort is important, but it’s not the only path to success—nor is it the best one. Sustainable growth comes from balance, not extremes. When we push too hard for too long, we burn out. But if we find a way to harness time and consistency, we can create lasting results.

Think of compound interest in investing or the traditional career path. Success in these areas isn’t about relentless overexertion; it’s about persistence and smart, steady effort over time. The real key is leveraging time to work in our favor, allowing progress to build upon itself.

The systems and habits approach to improvement embraces this mindset. It focuses on structuring routines and actions so that today’s efforts create future value. If we constantly push ourselves to the extreme, we’ll burn out before results materialize. But if we develop sustainable habits, we can push when we have the energy and maintain momentum even when motivation fades.

For example, if we build the habit of working out every day, we can take advantage of moments of motivation to push harder. But on days when we feel sluggish, we still show up and get it done. This balance allows us to make progress without relying solely on motivation.

To me, that’s what balance is about. It’s understanding that energy fluctuates—sometimes we’re full of drive, and other times we need to step back. Lao Tzu captured this idea over 2,500 years ago in the 29th verse of the Tao Te Ching, and it still holds true today. Balance isn’t about being static; it’s about the natural ebb and flow, much like a pendulum. Many people want to push endlessly in one direction without acknowledging the inevitable counterforce. Others think balance means being motionless. But real balance includes movement—it’s a rhythm, not a pause.

We see this dynamic in politics, where power shifts back and forth between opposing sides over time. The same principle applies to personal growth and success. Instead of avoiding balance in favor of extremes, we should use it to sustain long-term improvement. By finding the right balance, we can push forward when needed, knowing we have a system that allows us to rest and recharge without guilt.

While it may be trendy to preach about working 10 times harder or going all in at any cost, this mentality ignores the reality of sustainability. True success comes from the wisdom to balance ambition with endurance, intensity with recovery.

It’s not about gambling on quick wins—it’s about building something that lasts.