#252 Consistency over Intensity

After selling my first business over fifteen years ago, I had enough money to spend some time figuring out what I wanted to do when I grew up.

I read a lot, traveled a bit and decided that, if I could get paid to do what I loved to do, I’d study how to optimize my life, strive to embody those truths and inspire others with what I learned.

But the #1 thing I immediately knew was that I’d have a hard time reaching my potential if I had a hard time getting out of bed.

I knew that it ALL started with energy.

So, I signed up to become a certified personal trainer—thinking that would be a good way to get some clarity on the basics.

The #1 thing I got out of that training?

That it’s all about CONSISTENCY over INTENSITY.

When most people get started with a new training program and/or commitment to optimize their life they go NUTS on the first day or two or three and then fizzle out.

For most, their sign of commitment is the level of INTENSITY they bring to that first workout or two. As is usually the case (hah!), we don’t want to be like most people.

Rather than start out as heroes in the beginning and then tip-toe out the backdoor when it gets a little hard to maintain motivation, we want to start knowing that it will get a little hard to maintain motivation and then focus on CONSISTENCY rather than intensity.

Go micro on your habits. Create small wins. Train your brain to get used to you working out or eating better or writing more or doing a little more Deep Work or whatever.

CONSISTENCY over INTENSITY.

It’s funny because in my workouts these days, even when I’m doing my high intensity interval training and moving closer to a max effort, I always have a voice in my head that says, “Smart max. Be here tomorrow.” (That advice is especially helpful when I’m running up a narrow trail with a steep fall to the right. 😃)

Repeat it after me:

CONSISTENCY over INTENSITY.

CONSISTENCY over INTENSITY.

CONSISTENCY over INTENSITY.

+1. +1. +1.