This is why consistency beats intensity every time
Short-term intensity may work for a while but consistency is what gets you to long term success.
Hey there, welcome to the fourth issue of the Breakdown. Hope you enjoyed Thursday's newsletter? Here is the link if you missed it. Let’s dive right into today’s ‘sermon.’
I remember the first year I started living the healthy life. I would work out twice a day and eat mostly fruits and salads. I was so pumped to start this journey that I went at it with everything I had.
This intensity lasted for some time before fizzling out. Whenever I would remember my old self and how intense I used to be, I would immediately kickstart my healthy journey by going crazy with the workouts and healthy diets.
Of course, that only lasted for a short time. I would end up with short term results, injuries from trying to do a three-day workout routine in just one day and often fall sick from not getting enough nutrients.
Consistency trumps intensity
Like me, you have probably started a new job, fitness program, healthy diet or something with motivation and excitement, only to have that intensity fizzle within a few weeks or months right?
Here is how it usually goes:
You are pumped to do something so intense motivation and excitement flows
At first, you have the intensity required for the job. You are doing way more than you should and life is looking good
Then a few days, weeks or months down the line, this intense activity leads to an injury, fatigue, or burn-out
What happens next is that most people stop the activity altogether.
This common pattern, my friend, is why people stop their diets, exercise routines, even relationships and can never seem to make progress in life. The intensity and enthusiasm that gets us started rarely gets us to the finish line.
Four years into my healthy life journey, I have learnt that intensity can only take you so far and that consistency beats intensity every single time!
“It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It's what we do consistently.”
― Anthony Robbins
To become successful at anything you have to choose consistency over intensity. The former is what keeps you going when the latter fades and something that used to be enjoyable is now boring.
How to be consistent
The answer is simple. Create a routine that YOU can actually stick to. Instead of choosing the most intense diet, exercise or savings routine, take smaller, consistent steps.
Rather than aiming to spend one hour at the gym every day of the week, go three or four times for 30 minutes. This is simply more doable. It also reduces the risk of injuries and ensures that you can actually achieve your body goals.
Instead of saving aggressively and having to dip into them when an unexpected situation shows up, save a smaller part of your salary consistently and watch your savings build over time.
Sticking to this routine requires that you ignore your feelings. Don’t wait to feel like doing it, do it in spite of your feelings. Make room for your failures, acknowledge them and keep it moving.
Choose progress over perfection. It doesn’t hurt to get an accountability partner. You have to do whatever it takes to remain consistent to achieve your goals.
“Wake up determined. Go to bed satisfied.” — Dwayne Johnson
This is how you can actually make progress in life. Over time these seemingly small, inconsequential yet easy, doable and consistent patterns lead to long term results.
Short-term intensity may work for a while but it often results in burn out, injuries and an inability to achieve your goals. Consistency, on the hand, always leads to long term success and this how you make it in life.
So, stop chasing intensity and go be consistent!
“Consistency will not only take you places, but give you lessons that will shape you strongly and build you differently, to achieving the best at your strategic plans.”
― Aisha S. Kingu
One Article you should read for further knowledge is Ayomide Ofulue’s piece on severing the root of Impostor Syndrome: https://ayomideofulue.com/2020/07/13/how-to-sever-impostor-syndrome/
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Hi Inem, this was an interesting read. One key takeaway for me was creating a routine you can stick to and taking small consistent steps. I find this really applicable to my life as I started a healthy eating and workout habit some months ago. However, now I can barely keep up with my routine because I don’t have the time to spend working out. But I’ve decided to take ‘little’ consistent steps that are do-able. For instance, I try to 10 burpees each day or do some jumping jacks while I’m cooking, watching the T.V etc. Bottom line, do little but be consistent and it’s going to pay up in the long run. Thanks again for the post!