The problem with consistency

You’re more likely to unlock a big leap in performance by trying differently than by trying harder. You might be able to work 10% harder, but a different approach might work 10x better. Remain focused on the core problem, but explore a new line of attack. Persistence is not just about effort, but also strategy. Don’t merely try harder, try differently. – James Clear

Yes. YES.

This should be a constant reminder for consistency folks. Never a week goes by where I don’t question myself if my streaks are actually helping me get to my goals, or simply just working 10% harder without getting any bit closer.

It’s so easy to get into the day in day out rote routine of making that one small code commit, or writing 100 words a day here, but lose sight of endgame.

Mistaking motion for action.

Personally, being consistent, trying harder is easy for me, so I find I could always lean more on trying differently as a practice.

But yet, consistency haters will say this is why they don’t do it. This isn’t a good reason to not try consistency either. Going through the motion isn’t a inherent feature of consistency, it’s a bug. It’s how you practice it. Doing it well means being consistent in the right direction.

So we need both.

Try differently and then try harder.

Rinse, repeat.