Consistency is the Gatekeeper

Historically I have not been a very patient man.

But I am starting to learn that meaningful progress and success (in every part of our lives) can only be attained through steady, consistent effort.

I really see two options in front of us: We can either be a genius or we can be patient.

So if you are not a genius (and your mum saying you are does not count!), then consistency is the hurdle to clear. It’s the required standard to progress.

Keep Shooting

Jame Clear made a sobering statement recently:

"It took me... 200+ articles before I got a book deal. 250+ articles before I got major media coverage. 100+ interviews before my book hit the bestseller list. You need a lot of shots on goal.
Not everything will work, but some of it will.
Keep shooting."

Or how the ever-wise Jack Butcher would put it in visual form:

Keep Shooting...that's stellar advice. Mistakes are part of the process.

It's only a failure if we don't try.

So Trying IS the practice.

The Conundrum

But you know what makes it so hard? We want results! And we want them now.

The art of patience and consistency really is about learning to stop obsessing over the end results. All we can ever do in the present moment is giving it our best.

And once we drop the need to control the outcome of our actions, anxiety starts to magically melt away and we are free to do our best work.

So let's keep shooting at the metaphorical goal or archery board.

And mistake by mistake, we'll get there.