The business biography section is probably full of entrepreneurs telling you how hard they worked, how much they sacrificed and the importance of total commitment to your work if you want to rise to the top.

I’m sorry, I don’t buy it. I know that this is probably the most controversial of the lessons I’m sharing this year, and I am sure that there are people who strongly disagree with me. There is certainly a case to be made for putting that extra effort in to lift yourself above the pack. I always remember the Decathlete Daley Thompson being asked why he trained on Christmas Day. “Because I know that my competitors aren’t”, was the reply.

A little bit of perspective here. Daley Thompson was an elite athlete for a very short period of his adult life. He joined his first club in 1975, but for an injury, his last major tournament would have been in 1990. If your primary professional career was just a decade and a half, you could justify making tremendous sacrifices elsewhere to reach your absolute peak. But what if you plan to continue what you’re doing for 50 years or more?

Balance is essential. I’m a big fan of both listening to my body and building well-being into my routine. If the only way I can get out for a walk and some fresh air, to a pilates lesson, or to play padel is during the working day, I’ll do it. I consider being healthy and fit part of my work; I can’t perform if I don’t look after my physical and mental health.

Equally, if I’m not productive towards the end of a stressful day, I won’t push myself to tick off the hours.

On the other hand, I don’t resent working evenings or weekends when I need to. How I’m productive is far more important to me than when. And everything I do is geared to maximising that output. What I do outside work, including going to sports, concerts, plays and socialising elsewhere, also helps to make me a more rounded individual, hopefully helping me develop more robust professional relationships.

As someone who runs his own business, I know it’s a lot easier to make these decisions for myself. But whatever your circumstance, work within the boundaries you have. Put yourself, your body, and your mind first, and seek to maximise your productivity by delivering at key times rather than punching in and out.