Why You Can’t Stay Consistent (And How to Fix It)

Summary

This episode explores why consistency is often difficult and how our minds play a crucial role in sabotaging our progress. The real issue isn't about lack of discipline or willpower, but the fact that we are constantly evolving versions of ourselves. Instead of expecting consistency every day, we should think of life as a relay race, where each version of us builds upon the last. The key to success is setting up future versions of ourselves for success through small, sustainable efforts. With a shift in mindset, we can break the cycle of self-sabotage and start making progress, one small step at a time.

Takeaways

• 😀 The real challenge in consistency is not about motivation or willpower, but understanding that we are constantly evolving as individuals.
• 😀 You are not the same person every day; the version of you that made plans yesterday might not show up today.
• 😀 Life isn’t about perfect consistency but about ensuring each version of you sets up the next for success.
• 😀 Consistency is more like a team effort, where each version of you hands off progress to the next, like a relay race.
• 😀 Your brain is wired for instant gratification, which makes it difficult to prioritize long-term goals and sabotage future you.
• 😀 Future discounting makes you prefer immediate rewards (like junk food or procrastination), even though they harm your future self.
• 😀 Instead of thinking in terms of all-or-nothing progress, focus on making small, manageable strides to reach the next checkpoint.
• 😀 Even small actions, like a quick walk or cleaning one room, can build momentum for tomorrow and prevent setbacks.
• 😀 Many people struggle with consistency because they don’t see themselves as worthy of effort and self-care.
• 😀 Treat your future self like a friend: if you wouldn’t sabotage them, why sabotage your own future?
• 😀 Real consistency is about continuity, not perfection. Small wins add up over time to create effortless progress.

Q & A

Why is consistency so difficult for many people?

Consistency is difficult because we assume we're the same person every day, but in reality, we change subtly from day to day. The version of you that made a plan yesterday may not be the same version of you that shows up today.

What is the real issue behind struggles with consistency?

The real issue isn't a lack of discipline, motivation, or willpower, but rather the misunderstanding that we're always the same person. We are constantly evolving, and each day we are a slightly different version of ourselves.

How does future discounting affect our behavior?

Future discounting is a psychological bias where we prioritize immediate gratification over long-term rewards. This leads to decisions like choosing short-term pleasure (e.g., junk food or staying up late) even though we know it will hurt us in the long run.

How does viewing life like a relay race help with consistency?

Viewing life as a relay race helps because it emphasizes that each day is not about doing everything perfectly. Instead, it’s about passing the baton to the next version of yourself, setting them up for success, and building momentum over time.

What does it mean to make small progress each day?

Small progress means completing manageable tasks, like working out for just 10 minutes or cleaning one room. These actions build momentum for the next day, creating a foundation that makes future tasks easier.

How can you overcome the tendency to sabotage your future self?

To overcome this, you need to change the way you view your future self. By caring for your future version, just like you would for a friend or loved one, you’ll be more motivated to make decisions that set them up for success.

What is the difference between perfectionism and real consistency?

Perfectionism focuses on doing everything perfectly, while real consistency is about gradual improvement and setting up your future self for success. It's not about being perfect every day but about making progress, however small.

Why is it important to treat future versions of yourself with care?

When you treat future versions of yourself with care, you are more likely to make decisions that benefit them, reducing self-sabotage and promoting sustained personal growth over time.

What role does self-compassion play in building consistency?

Self-compassion is key to building consistency because it helps prevent negative self-talk. If you treat yourself with kindness and understanding, it becomes easier to maintain progress without beating yourself up over minor setbacks.

How can viewing life as a series of checkpoints instead of an all-or-nothing race improve consistency?

Viewing life as a series of checkpoints encourages steady progress rather than trying to accomplish everything at once. It reduces the pressure and allows you to focus on taking small, manageable steps toward your goals, which makes consistency feel more achievable.