As I write this entry, reflecting on my journey through business school, consulting and corporate, I know something must change. I don’t have the language or the plans but at 35,000 feet, some light has crept into my spirit – something Plato wrote about 2,400 years ago.

“But Patrick, if I slow down, focus on doing fewer things and protect time for rest and recovery, won’t I become lazy? What has made me successful in my career so far has been my work ethic and drive. I’m worried that in slowing down I will lose that.”

The lunch bell rings. We have to wait for the teacher to dismiss us from class. This isn’t America where the kids pack up and leave once the bell rings. I look around and we’re all on the edge of our seats. It’s our day today and there isn’t a second to spare. Seconds cost you.

At the same time, as the science shows and as I see time and time again in my coaching, the key to achieving any goal is consistency in execution of tactical actions. And the key to consistency in execution of tactical actions is in setting the bar low.

When we tell someone what is working for us, we know what we can do more of. In a world of abundance, we need to know what is right with us, so we can repeat it with intention.

We can learn all we like from non-fiction, but some of the best sources of wisdom are in stories. Real, made up, or loosely based on facts, these stories are how we learn to interact with the world.