Grandpa’s Wisdom Wednesday: Shine Bright, But Don’t Burn Out ✨

“Hey Little One, even the brightest stars don’t shine all at once—they twinkle, rest, and shine again. Take your time to make space and you’ll glow even brighter!”

This week, Grandpa’s wisdom takes me back to an early lesson in my consulting career that has shaped how I approach work, leadership, and life.

I was heading up the project management office for a bank merger, traveling from Florida to Seattle for weeks at a time. It was my first time working on the road for such an extended period, and I was determined to prove myself. 

After long work days that often turned into work nights, I’d head back to my hotel room and immediately dive into prepping for the next day—no breaks, no downtime, just full speed ahead.

One night, I passed one of our executive consultants in the hallway. He was heading to the pool, novel in hand, while I walked by with my laptop, arms full of reports, and my head buried in notes. 

Seeing my intensity, he gave me a piece of advice that stuck with me ever since:

“Too many consultants, especially the new ones, burn themselves out trying to outwork and outshine everyone. This job, like life is a marathon, not a sprint.”

At the time, I thought pushing harder was the key to success. But over the years, I’ve realized that burning the candle at both ends doesn’t make you shine brighter—it just makes you burn out faster.

Whether working on the next adventure in the Macieverse or growing Access to Fresh, I’ve learned that sustained impact requires balance—knowing when to push forward, pause, reflect, and recharge. Like stars don’t shine all at once, the best ideas and work come when you give yourself space to grow.

So, whether you’re chasing a big goal, building something new, or just trying to keep up with life’s demands, remember to pace yourself. Your brightest moments come when you shine, rest, and shine again.

What’s a lesson you’ve learned about balancing hard work and making space to think?

I’d love to hear your story! 🌟✨

Peter Contardo