As a solopreneur and content creator, this gave me pause. I've been focused on consistency for a few years now (and I do believe that it's helped me to grow my business), but the commitment piece is definitely the more important part. You've definitely given me something to think about this week.
This is such a subtle but important distinction you've pointed out. Commitment and consistency truly are different when you explain it this way.
This was a real penny drop moment for me. I've been agonising over this for years but never saw it articulated this way and now I'm clear on what I need to do.
I've never really thought about commitment versus consistency. I view consistency as the outward manifestation of your commitment. You can say you are committed to doing something, but if you don't do it consistently, do you have any commitment? At the same time, consistency for the sake of consistency is misguided as well. Is what you are consistent at really serving you? I often step back and ask myself, "Why am I doing this?" Am I doing this because I have always done it or because it serves the person I want to be?
I love that you’ve brought commitment in to this. I often talk about discipline and the ability to show up even when you don’t feel like it. But commitment is different because it’s more about the why - which also makes it so valid. I think they both go hand in hand.
I love this and agree 100%! Though I'm not married, I can see how this even works in marriage - or any close relationship. You don't promise to be consistent to your spouse, you make a COMMITMENT to do life with them through the ups and downs and twists and turns that come. Commitment seems more like a heart posture and decision-based, where consistency is more in your head and action-based, hence the reason it can lead to burnout.
Well said! Another great article. Life is unpredictable. I like to view things as dials instead of on/off switches. Sometimes you must dial up, sometimes you dial down.
That's a great way to think about it, Zuby. Love how you've articulated that. Dials...smart. As someone who is a binary thinker/doer/actor (I'm usually on or off) that gives me something to think about.
Thanks Justin - the contrast you provide here between "consistency" and "commitment" reminds me of the differences between "confidence" and "trust" related to coaching people in the golf swing - confidence can be fleeting, but trust is built upon cumulatively, in ways that digs deeper into present moment awareness, while confidence often leads us to become hung up on results, losing sight of our own process that results become the byproduct of....
It was the first thing I that came to mind when reading your post - I used to think that these are analogies for life - but the ARE life... Thanks again Justin - love the dialogue
I think that commitment is a product of desire. If you really want to do something badly enough you become committed to it and only after that do you become consistent. So the primary thing is the desire to either achieve or do something that is important to you. The desire or want comes first.
This really resonates with me. I came to understand this when I realized I was meditating daily just so I wouldn't break my impressive streak on Insight Timer. It was actually a relief when I missed a day. I took a break. Reoriented to my reason for meditating and began again. Even though I know this, I still catch myself in that old pattern from time to time. Now I have the words to more easily bring me back to centre.
Your post is a god sent for me. As a mom of a young baby, I'm struggling to do something meaningful for my career and take care of my baby as the same time. Seeing others sticking to their routine when I just can't makes me question myself so much. I'm grateful that I read this post today. Thank you Justin, really.
This is such an important message. Consistency without the lense of commitment is a pathway to drudgery.
Critical when you go out on your own.
Otherwise, you risk creating a job (and life) you hate.
You’re just creating a habit that might not even be something you enjoy.
As a solopreneur and content creator, this gave me pause. I've been focused on consistency for a few years now (and I do believe that it's helped me to grow my business), but the commitment piece is definitely the more important part. You've definitely given me something to think about this week.
It allows us to question everything - especially those things we hold dearest....
I'm glad it resonated and caused some deep thinking, Colleen. Thank you for reading it.
This is such a subtle but important distinction you've pointed out. Commitment and consistency truly are different when you explain it this way.
This was a real penny drop moment for me. I've been agonising over this for years but never saw it articulated this way and now I'm clear on what I need to do.
Thanks, Ash! Appreciate you, man.
You're most welcome buddy. Right back at ya @Justin Welsh
Clarity can be a moving target
I've never really thought about commitment versus consistency. I view consistency as the outward manifestation of your commitment. You can say you are committed to doing something, but if you don't do it consistently, do you have any commitment? At the same time, consistency for the sake of consistency is misguided as well. Is what you are consistent at really serving you? I often step back and ask myself, "Why am I doing this?" Am I doing this because I have always done it or because it serves the person I want to be?
This is basically exactly what I was attempting to wrestle with in this article, Greg!
I love that you’ve brought commitment in to this. I often talk about discipline and the ability to show up even when you don’t feel like it. But commitment is different because it’s more about the why - which also makes it so valid. I think they both go hand in hand.
They absolutely do, Jenny.
The why... And the Why not....
Yes!
I love this and agree 100%! Though I'm not married, I can see how this even works in marriage - or any close relationship. You don't promise to be consistent to your spouse, you make a COMMITMENT to do life with them through the ups and downs and twists and turns that come. Commitment seems more like a heart posture and decision-based, where consistency is more in your head and action-based, hence the reason it can lead to burnout.
Thanks for sharing!
Love that, Thea. Never thought of it that way :)
Well said! Another great article. Life is unpredictable. I like to view things as dials instead of on/off switches. Sometimes you must dial up, sometimes you dial down.
That's a great way to think about it, Zuby. Love how you've articulated that. Dials...smart. As someone who is a binary thinker/doer/actor (I'm usually on or off) that gives me something to think about.
Thanks Justin - the contrast you provide here between "consistency" and "commitment" reminds me of the differences between "confidence" and "trust" related to coaching people in the golf swing - confidence can be fleeting, but trust is built upon cumulatively, in ways that digs deeper into present moment awareness, while confidence often leads us to become hung up on results, losing sight of our own process that results become the byproduct of....
I love that analogy (or is it a metaphor? I can never remember.) Really great share, Jon.
It was the first thing I that came to mind when reading your post - I used to think that these are analogies for life - but the ARE life... Thanks again Justin - love the dialogue
Consistency made me lose my mind (literally).
Took me 2.5 years (1.5 on meds and recovery) to figure it out.
Better late than never.
True story. At least you figured it out!
🤝
This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear this morning. Thank you.
Welcome, Janisse. Thanks for giving it a read.
I think that commitment is a product of desire. If you really want to do something badly enough you become committed to it and only after that do you become consistent. So the primary thing is the desire to either achieve or do something that is important to you. The desire or want comes first.
Desire --> Commitment --> Consistency.
Exactly what I meant!
🔥
"When you're committed, consistency becomes a tool in reaching the goal, but it's not the goal itself."
This is the first time I am thinking about this distinction, of consistency as a tool for my commitments. That's such a powerful reframe.
Thank you, Ben!
"Consistency is about effort.
Commitment is about impact."
This really resonates with me. I came to understand this when I realized I was meditating daily just so I wouldn't break my impressive streak on Insight Timer. It was actually a relief when I missed a day. I took a break. Reoriented to my reason for meditating and began again. Even though I know this, I still catch myself in that old pattern from time to time. Now I have the words to more easily bring me back to centre.
Yes! This is exactly why I wrote this. Great comment, Mary.
Your post is a god sent for me. As a mom of a young baby, I'm struggling to do something meaningful for my career and take care of my baby as the same time. Seeing others sticking to their routine when I just can't makes me question myself so much. I'm grateful that I read this post today. Thank you Justin, really.
What a kind comment, Nam. Thank you for leaving it, and for reading the article.
I love this.
Thank you, Meghan!
Agree! Just like growing my YouTube channel. I am committed to giving value that's why I'm consistent in creating videos!
Boom. Love it.