Consistency Is Hard

But out of hard things often comes great joy.

I believe consistency is the most important factor in success. Actually, let me clarify because, to be more precise, it’s progressive consistency: doing something regularly while always wondering, “Can this be done better?”

Outside of the necessary human habits - showering, brushing teeth, eating- I don’t really do anything with super consistency. I had done 1,400+ days of French on Duolingo, and that was my crown jewel of consistency. But for the past few weeks, I admit that I just needed a break from French, so I switched to playing chess on Duolingo. It still counts towards my streak, though deep down, I know it’s not the same.

I’m currently out of a routine. I was living in London (Canada) until recently, and now I’m staying with family in Toronto with the expectation of moving to Kingston (Canada, still) within a month or two. So it’s not my space, my stuff is in storage, and I now live with four other routines to work around. I’m feeling very unsettled at the moment, so I’m trying to come up with one anchoring activity - that isn’t my job - that provides routine and regularity. I was going to make the effort to write every day, but even that I’m beginning to struggle with. Inspiration isn’t always available, and admittedly, it’s sometimes hard to tear myself away from my phone and focus.

But there is tremendous value in consistently doing something you don’t want to do, unfortunately. It builds resiliency, perseverance, and discipline - all critically important human characteristics. And as a 32-year-old, I’ve seen enough to appreciate how small, consistent work builds into great things. I will become an honest-to-God attorney in two months, and that took a lot of steps and actions over 5, maybe even 6, years (to date). My other big accomplishment was winning an adult equitation class a few years ago (a big deal to only me). But years (and thousands of dollars) went into getting that ribbon. The thrilling moments of life are rarely unearned surprise events, but rather the culmination of years of work and progress.

I very much enjoyed the process of becoming a lawyer and an equitation champion, but it was hard and demanded consistency. I put gruelling hours into studying for the bar every day, for months, often leaving the law building at 1 or 2 am. Driving to ride my horse 6 days a week, usually after work, was extremely taxing on my time and energy (also, to know me is to know I am tired of commuting in almost all capacities).

But was it all worth it? Fuck yeah. I went and got measured for my barrister’s robes today, and I just felt so gotdamn proud of myself. Not just because I’m becoming a lawyer, but because I kept going, no matter how draining it got. And it was really nice to see the culmination of that work when I looked at myself in a mirror with a barrister’s shirt and waistcoat on today.

All made possible by consistency.