Consistency Over Perfection: Why Perfection Is Keeping You From Making Progress

Sometimes I'll plan out a difficult workout. I'll plan to hit a new PR, push myself to perform more reps, or challenge myself with a new exercise. I'll be super excited. Then I get off work, go to the gym, and my workout is shit. Maybe I'm tired or maybe I'm just not feeling it. I don't do any of the things I said I would. I manage a half-assed workout and go home. Did I fail? Nope. I'm still proud of myself. But, if the same thing would've happened a year ago, I would've beaten myself up. What I've learned over the past year is that being consistent is way more important than being perfect. Sure I could've done better, but at least I showed up.

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We love to have a black and white view of things because it makes life simple. However, getting too caught up on things being perfectly one way or the other can stall our progress and keep us from reaching our goals. In our minds, it can feel like we have to reach this perfect (often unrealistic) standard we set for ourselves. When we don't we've failed and we should just give up.

Success doesn't work like that. It's not this straight path to a finish line. There's curves and obstacles. Often times our finish line moves around as our idea of success changes. That's okay! The important part is that you just show up and take even a single step.

Consistency is what gets you places. Instead of trying to be perfect, try to be consistent. Don't make your goal to have the perfect workout because a lot of times you won't. Some days you'll be tired. You'll feel like shit. You'll be unmotivated. Make your goal to just go to the gym. Show up. That's it. No one can give 100% at everything all the time. Sometimes half-assing it will be the best you can do. That's fine. Go half-ass it. A half-assed workout is better than a no-assed workout.

Instead of setting some unrealistic standard for yourself, just set tiny goals you can achieve. If you're consistent, it will eventually become a habit. Long term consistency beats short term intensity. 20 mediocre workouts will always get you more results than 2 amazing workouts.