I've said over and over that consistency is better than proficiency. Recently, I got some pushback on that. Not from our readers or listeners, per se, but from some things I've been reading.
The argument—and it's a good one and hard to refute at first—is something to the effect that putting out consistent garbage is worse than putting out anything at all.
Fair point, and one I've even addressed. But a particular screed against "consistency" was also coming from someone who is serious about his work—in this case email, a blog, and now a growing Twitter presence.
I had to take a step back and look at what I've been saying for many years. Consistency. Consistency. Consistency.
I came to a few realizations:
Consistency is not a virtue, so it shouldn't be championed over more important things.
Consistency is nevertheless important.
Consistency means nothing without a goal, a mission, or a vision in mind.
Point being, I was blinded somewhat as to the value of consistency.
Like hitting the gym every day if you want to accomplish your athletic or fitness goals, I figured if I'm going to get to the peak at podcasting or writing, I gotta do it every day. So, I do...in one way or another.
But I want to be great. I am not busting my hump every day for a "side gig" or anything like that.
There's no need to be consistent in a side gig, for it is a "courtesan" of the employment world. You might have a helluva time, but ... be wary. Head on a swivel. Not a great "relationship" in the long term.
In other words, consistency will never be of value for someone who has no mission or purpose other than a possible run at short-term euphoria.
As a former athlete and coach, I never understood the fellows who would come to practice every day but didn't care about getting better. They were consistent, no doubt about it.
"Why are you here?" is a thought that often popped up.
Let's translate that to the world of "content creation" (a phrase I hate, but bear with me) ...
You can put out a blog or podcast or email 2 times per day for 10 years straight, but if you don't have an overarching vision about why you are putting out the material, such practice becomes an exercise in wasting time.
I have zero interest in wasting time. I am at a huge time-deficit as it is.
I also understand the struggles that most people go through. Been there myself.
What do you want to accomplish? Is it serious?
Think again.
Is what you're trying to accomplish anything more than a "side-project?"
If you are serious, you really have no choice but to be consistent.
We talk about "live reps" in the sports realm. Quite a bit more important than normal training or "practice." Consistency—with a purpose—matters when you are out there.
Success or failure are the only options.
For example, "live reps" in the military are deathly serious. Literally.
It's what our consistency must entail.
Full disclosure: I've wasted a lot of time in my life. For a long time, I never had a vision for what it could or might be.
I always wanted to be a "helper," though.
The problem is—and I'm not at all sure of the percentages—most people don't really want help.
What they want is a shortcut.
A lot of people need help but are unwilling to go the extra step. It takes an investment.
Time. Money. Building relationships.
Hard to shortcut these things.
Most people don't want to invest. In this culture, I don't blame them.
The wolf is at the door. It's a fight-or-flight situation a lot of us face daily.
There remains little time to invest.
Money? We have precious few dollars to deploy.
How about investing in new or better relationships? (Might be important since we're coming up on circumstances that make Cormac McCarthy's The Road look tame in comparison. A tight-knit family is often all we can depend on.)
But if you do have a little time, are willing to invest a bit of money, and dive into creating more meaningful relationships, we might be able to help.
As always,
Brian
