Consistency: Not The Hobgoblin, But The Holy Frikkin’ Grail

I get it, but I still shake my head.

I’m very big on the primacy of consistency. It’s taken me about 40 years to appreciate it, but better late than never: 

Showing up regularly, preferably daily, is not only necessary to achieve whatever, it’s very nearly sufficient unto itself. 

Growing a social media following, starting a business, attaining a jiu-jitsu or martial arts black belt, raising a family, you name it. It’s a given that you need to post every day, reinvest in your business every day, attend class (nearly) every day, and be present for your family every day.

But say this publicly and there’s a surprising amount of pushback. 

ESPECIALLY when it comes to getting a black belt in the combat sport of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

You can’t just show up; you have to achieve. It’s more than just showing up; you have to push, demonstrate proficiency, and compete against higher belts. You shouldn’t get rewarded for just showing up, duh.

I get it. Ticking the attendance box alone isn’t enough.

Is there anyone who doesn’t know this already?

If you’re honestly trying to get ahead in anything challenging, that is UNIVERSALLY acknowledged to be un-corner-cuttable, you already know you can’t just sign in and sneak out the back.

The philosopher’s stone, which turns everything it touches to gold, is showing up consistently, daily. 

Having flashes of inspiration, daring, courage, and panache? Very human.

Showing up like clockwork? It’s so remarkably rare that it’s almost inhuman.

The cumulative output from spurts of effort pales in comparison to regularly building on what you’ve built. 

• I’m still but an egg in my BJJ journey, but I’ve absorbed more in the past 8 months of four per week classes than in the preceding 6 years of sporadic attendance
• Want to be a writer? Glue butt to chair and write every day
• Want to start a business? Create and ship a product or service, learn from your mistakes, and repeat

I’ll bet you know exemplars in your own field who’ve said it: “Show up on the regular and you’ll be where I am; if I can do it, you can do it.” 

Show up means put in the work, which includes practicing grit, developing an indomitable will, taking risks, and bouncing back from adversity. You unlock the door to all the key learnings with regular attendance.

Do consistency, and as much as anything can be guaranteed, you’ll have maximally set yourself up for success.

And it all starts with doing whatever it takes to show up, repeatedly.