"La flamme qui brûle deux fois plus fort brûle deux fois moins longtemps."

This idea is all about balance and sustainability. Think of it like this: if you pour all your energy into something in a short burst, you might get impressive results quickly, but you won't be able to sustain it for long. It's kinda like sprinting versus marathon running. You can sprint and go really fast, but only for a short distance. If you want to keep going for miles, you need to pace yourself.

There's a historical anecdote that perfectly illustrates this concept. Remember Alexander the Great? He was a conqueror like no other, blazing through territories and building one of the largest empires in the ancient world, all before he was 30. His life was intense and he achieved a lot quickly, but it was also short-lived. He died at 32. His flame burned incredibly bright, but it didn’t last long.

Now, think about a real-life example. Imagine a young entrepreneur who launches a startup. She works tirelessly, pulling all-nighters, skipping meals, and neglecting her personal life. Her company might see rapid growth initially—maybe even skyrockets within a year. But, the toll on her health and relationships becomes evident. She's exhausted, possibly burned out, and starts making poor decisions. Eventually, she can't keep up the pace, and everything crashes. Contrast this with another entrepreneur who paces herself, takes care of her health, balances work with rest, and builds her company steadily over years. Her progress might be slower, but it’s sustainable.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? The key is to find balance. It’s tempting to go all-in on a project or passion, especially when you’re excited about it. But think about longevity. Set a pace that you can maintain without burning out. Take care of your physical and mental health, nurture your relationships, and give yourself time to rest. It’s okay to work hard, but remember to work smart too.

Imagine you’re training for a marathon. You can’t just run 20 miles on your first day. You start with shorter distances, gradually increasing as your body gets stronger. You mix in rest days to recover and cross-training to build different muscles. This approach ensures you’re strong and healthy by the time race day comes around—and you’re more likely to finish the race.

In our daily lives, we can apply this to work, hobbies, or any goal we’re passionate about. Don’t sprint when you need to be in it for the long haul. Set realistic goals, take breaks, and remember that taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Think about it like charging your phone. If you drain the battery completely and then expect it to last a long time without recharging, you’re going to be disappointed.

So, let’s keep that flame burning, but at a steady pace. You’ll find that you can achieve just as much, if not more, and you'll still have energy left for the next great adventure.