The Barnfield Manifesto
They say the two most addictive things in life are heroin and a monthly salary.
1. Take the leap
We only get one life. There are no do overs.
2. Take ownership
If we don’t decide what’s important to us, someone else will. And when we’ve already established that we only live once, why would we want to live by someone else’s priorities?
3. Passion is overrated
Or at least, searching for it is. You don’t find passion, you build it.
4. Talent is overrated
Speak to anyone at the top of their game. Talent may have unlocked the door but hard work is what opened it wide.
5. We were meant to build
There are 27 bones in the hand. There are over 30 muscles. Millions of nerve endings controlled by an immensely complex brain. Our hands were made to do so much more than tap out emails or swipe through social media.
“Our hands were made to do so much more than tap out emails or swipe through social media.”
6. We were meant to create
Birds sing beautifully, as do whales, but nothing else on Earth can combine melody with rhythm to make music. Elephants and apes can be taught to paint shapes. As incredible as this is, it isn’t art.
7. We were meant to move
Our ancestors didn’t start the process of evolution for us to sit. They didn’t migrate across frozen wastelands wearing nothing more that animal skins so that we could stay in one place.
8. When we start, we finish
The start of anything is exciting. But through commitment and sacrifice it’s replaced with something deeper, more meaningful and longer lasting; pride.
9. People and planet
Not people or planet.
10. Little and often
Sustained effort over a long period of time will always generate better results than intense effort over a short period.
11. We are not an island
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
12. Paint the big picture
The doorstep mile is a Scandinavian idea. It refers to the difficulty in taking the first step of any adventure. We need a goal, a big scary, exciting vision of the future but we also need a realistic idea of how we’re going to get started. Set the bar low, take action, set another low bar, rinse and repeat.
13. The devil’s in the details
In any project, it’s the last 10% that takes 90% of the time. The details don’t come easy but they’re what elevates the ordinary into the extraordinary.
14. 10,000 hours
It takes a long time to become an expert. As Tim Ferriss says “we overestimate what we can achieve in a day and underestimate what we can achieve in a year.” Good things come to those who consistently work hard. Give your dream the time it deserves.
“We overestimate what we can achieve in a day and underestimate what we can achieve in a year.”
15. We are many
We are not alone. Although it can often feel that way. Find your tribe, connect with people. Use social media for good.
16. Progress beats perfection
There is no perfect. Take action, build on the results by taking more action and keep progressing towards your ideal.
17. Comparison is the thief of all joy
Rarely is it possible to compare apples with apples when we compare the beginning of our journey with the middle of someone else’s.
18. Find inspiration
It’s all around us.
19. Find purpose
Purpose is what gets you out of bed at 4am on a cold, dark, winter’s morning. To get that shot, to make the most of a quiet road, to watch the sunrise, to finish that build.
20. Fail to succeed
No success story is complete without failure. Learn from it, move on.
“No success story is complete without failure.”
21. Life isn’t a journey
If it was, the aim would be to get to the end as quickly as possible. Fall in love with the process before the result.
