Choose consistency over intensity.
“Most people need consistency more than they need intensity. Intensity makes a good story. Consistency makes progress.” - James Clear.
Intensity vs. consistency is a topic inspired by numerous coaching clients who struggled to stay consistent in pursuing their goals. Some fell for the “all or nothing” mentality that prompted them to go all out initially but soon found themselves running out of fuel and feeling overwhelmed. Others have short-lived excitement for their dreams and a harsh inner critic that makes them second-guess and stay stuck in their insecurity.
The following is a recap of the group discussion with words of wisdom from the participants sharing their views on intensity and consistency and what they need to stay consistent. The most important takeaway is we are not alone; we fight similar battles. If you find this subject relatable, keep reading.
Intensity is attractive.
We get excited about a new idea and can't wait to put our thoughts into action. We subscribe to the “go big or go home” mindset, as we must make our goal glorious and worthwhile. Otherwise, why do it? We also want to rush the process to get results because the destination is more fascinating than the journey. What happens next is exhaustion and a sense of overwhelm. A strong start doesn’t always end in a solid finish.
Consistency is challenging.
We know consistency is necessary to get us where we want to be. Unfortunately, our never-ending to-do list, obligations, and difficult people and situations we deal with consume every bit of our mental energy and willpower to stay focused and disciplined.
Our inner perfectionist says, “If it’s not going to be flawless, don’t do it.” Our fear of failure screams, “People are watching you, so you better not fail!”
We feel disappointed or lose trust in ourselves when we "failed" to stay accountable and do the work we set out to do, which leads to giving up and thinking we fall short.
Ways to develop consistency.
We need good habits and positive inner narratives to nurture consistent actions that lead to our ideal outcome.
Good habits
Repeat routines that are conducive to making constant progress. James Clear’s book - Atomic Habits, is an excellent resource for cultivating good habits (nope, he did not pay me to promote his book).
Make time to take action. Use a timer or block-off schedule on the calendar to execute our plans.
Trust the power of small wins by setting easy-to-achieve milestones.
Check-in with ourselves every day to reset and refocus. Allow ourselves to slow down to speed up. On some days, we value intensity. On most days, we choose consistency.
Positive inner narratives.
Falling off the wagon is not a failure but a delay. Get back on it the next day.
Let go of comparison, shame, and the "shoulds," be aware of what feels challenging, and show compassion to ourselves.
Re-think our self-worth and do not tie it to a job, money, status, or anything external.
Open to seeking support and sharing what we go through (including our emotions) with our accountability partner/coach/friends and family we trust. People want to help us succeed.
To achieve something great, pace yourself, stay determined, and enjoy the process.
If you want support to develop better habits and stay consistent in pursuing your heart’s desire, I’m here to help. Just reach out.
