Consistency, at some point, is stagnation

Consistency is the foundation of success.

But, at some point, consistency just becomes stagnancy.

Take this newsletter for example. One of my goals with this is to publish something to deliver to you every Sunday.

But, when I reach this goal and simply deliver the same style of letters week after week–without experimenting or levelling up the depth, value, or presentation of my writing–I'd eventually hit a plateau.

I'd be consistent, sure, but I wouldn't be growing. And you'll also benefit less from that.

//The Consistency Trap

The message I'm trying to deliver here applies to pretty much all areas of life.

Consistency without reflection or iteration can trap you in a loop.

I recently realized this with my fitness routine.

For years, I followed a tried-and-true full body split structure, doing push, pull, and leg movements in one day, three times out of the week. It was efficient and only took about 30 to 60 minutes. And for awhile, the results came.

I would finish a workout session and not even feel sore the next day.

I had been consistent, but I wasn't growing any further. The routine became comfortable and I was kind of just going through the motions.

//Escaping the Consistency Trap

So, for a month now, I've started targeting weekly total reps instead of plainly just measuring success by sets and reps.

• 300 pull movements
• 600 push movements (just now seeing this imbalance...)
• 240 leg movements

This is nearly double the amount I would do with my previous routine and for the first time in years, I'm actually feeling sore again and getting that satisfaction of feeling progress.

Consistently showing up isn't enough (if you want more).

If you want more (and who doesn't), you need to step back, reassess, and push the boundaries of what you can do just as I did with my workout routine.

Think of all the things you've been consistent with and ask yourself: are you getting better, or just going through it?

Your willingness to adapt is what separates growth from stagnancy.

Consistency is the foundation.

Iteration is the key.

Balance both.

– Renz

As for the video that inspired this writing, some people gave a thumbs up for me to might as well link them with the letter so here you go.

It still feels weird talking to a one-eyed robot.