Consistency is the key
Nice insight, but I can’t follow it strictly throughout my life. Though it does sound like genius advice from Shorts, Reels, TikToks, or any other bullshit 15-second message provider, I envy consistent people a lot.
Google doesn’t really answer whose quote it is (some life coaches pay a lot to take credit based on search results). The idea is as old as humanity. Every study, book, or ‘TED Talk’ gives you the same advice on how to get things done, learn a new skill, jump over the head, and so on.
Keep practicing for 20 minutes every day for several years, and you’ll beat 98% of the population in that particular area. Spend 10,000 hours on any field, and you’ll master it. Fun fact: That’s approximately 5 years of working the same job, Monday to Friday, for 8 hours a day.
Not so funny if you’ve been stuck in the same job for more than 5 years. :)
Wait, not yet!
Well, the path is here, but one question remains: how do you become consistent?
Everything I’ve tried so far—every new interest, skill, or devotion—hasn’t lasted long. The threshold is always there: enthusiasm starts to fade, previously easy going activities transform into pushing yourself, the plan starts to fall apart. Moreover, I’ve found I’m really good at making excuses. Here are some of my best ones!
Fast dopamine
All activities yield results in different ways and timeframes. As a human being I’m eager to get the result as soon as possible; a positive result is a reward. However, studing or practicing often bring struggle, and the results usually take far too long to arrive. So, welcome, my dear friend, PROCRASTINATION. The list is infinite, these are my guilty pleasures. Watching youtube, scrolling through memes on 9gag, or getting lost in a 40-minutes Dota match. They provide so needed dopamine almost instantly, but its a fake one. After a day or two that time feels wasted, evenings lost, and the promise to myself for the next week to make a difference is on the way. My excuse?
I’m looped!
Monomaniacs vs Jack-Of-All-trades
I really loved the idea from a book that there are actually two types of people. The first type is those who can fully get into one particular thing or area of activities and dedicate themselves completely. Monomaniacs (I made this name up).
The second type consists of people who acquire knowledge or skill at basic level and then start digging at another area right away. Jacks-of-All-trades. Both approaches can yield tremendous results. However, my second excuse is that I’m generalist.
One problem, though, is that my depth of digging is often quite shallow..
Not a conclusion
The silver bullet hasn’t been found yet; nonetheless, a few tips work for me.
The gym is the easiest one—my beloved fiancée is my partner in crime. We go together, and we skip together. And she is a pusher!
Meaning,
Success is the only fucking option @Eminem
For educational control, the Streaks app on my phone has really blossomed; my personal record is 8 weeks (not much, I know, but I’m working on it). Just don’t make the same mistake I did and try to place all desired activities at once; it will break you. Save some space for procrastination!
Lastly, short-term projects equal quick wins—treat yourself to achievements.
Catching phrase?
Hold the helm, next one is coming!