I think I learned a lot about myself. I thought the pottery story was going to end up with the one perfect pottery taking out the prize, because the quality one was just concerned about pumping it out that they didn't take care with the quality at all. Interestingly, they improved through doing.
As a recovering perfectionist, it wasn't until I embraced the "experimenting" that I really started showing up on Substack. I had a basic plan, but that soon went out the window, as I gave myself freedom to adjust as I learned.
There’s so much to love here Martin! Put aside perfection and just have a go - I think lots of people on here preach this but, in the wider world, I don’t think that’s the most common way to take action but I’m trying to do more this way and I’m definitely seeing the benefits.
Great article, Martin! I totally believe that showing up and doing work even minimally is better than any time spent reading the best book or best newsletter on "How To". You learn so much more by doing than reading or listening. I would add that consistent work in the right area though is still very important, so consistent work in a focused area is the key. Consistently writing articles won't make you the best public speaker, even though you know how to convey a thought through words.
Great essay, Martin. I heard a quote recently that might resonate with you - “Being consistent doesn't guarantee you'll find success. But not being consistent guarantees you won't find success”.
I recently wrote a short essay on the soft-skill attributes that lead to success. I didn't include consistency - and just now realise what a mistake that was!
Loved this post. It addresses many questions many people ponder for years. Thanks for writing it. I have subscribed to get more like these in my inbox.
"the works of highest quality were all produced by the group being graded for quantity." I'm not surprised, because of an experience at university, in a psychology module. People doing a task had to decide whether to go for speed or accuracy. The ones who plumped for speed obtained ore accurate results than the ones who went for accuracy. The reason was that the latter thought too much about the task, whereas the first lot just got on with it. So, much the same as what you've reported here.
I also think it ties in with the adage, which I try to abide by, "better done than perfect", which also ties in with a concept I've adopted and adapted from psychology, that of good enough mothering. In the context of writing, much as I'd like my work to be perfect, there comes a point where a writer has to say "OK, this is good enough". Obviously, there are exceptions: I'd prefer a nurse's manual to be perfect rather than good enough! But for the sort of writing people like you, I and many other 'stackers do, good enough is, erm, good enough.
I think consistency has its place in habit building. In giving something a chance before deciding if this is something you want to keep doing. For instance I have a podcast. It was a real struggle to be consistent at first because it was a real struggle to write, to deal with all my concerns as to whether it was good enough, it was a real struggle to post etc etc. But I put consistency high on my priority list and these days I have a little clock ticking in my head where I EXPECT myself to deliver the podcast on time. It's not a fight at all. In fact now I find it easy and enjoy it.
Then there was a time when I was posting on Pinterest. Again I aimed for consistency, but no matter what I tried it was an out and out battle every single time. I committed to continuing for a fixed amount of time before deciding what to do. The decision was then easy: to drop it.
By giving consistency a go I know I'm making decisions from a sound place rather than "this is hard" or "I can't be bothered" or "I'm afraid this won't work".
There's a similar story to the pottery one, which I love, from the corporate world. A number of groups were challenged to build the tallest tower using marshmallows and spaghetti. On average it was kindergartners who won...beating CEOs, lawyers, MBA grads. The toddlers just got on and tried, whilst the other groups thought and planned what might work best. It's a simple case of learn by doing!
Consistency can be a slippery one if it's laced with shoulds and guilt so I appreciate your perspective here. I loved your point about the blue-moon events.
Thank you, Martin! I am still fairly new to Substack and in the process of learning. You post resonates as sane, logical, and do-able. I appreciate that!
Being too consistent can make things boring and limit new ideas. Sometimes you need to be open to change and randomness. Balance is important. Too much consistency stops you from growing. Add in flexibility as well. Great insights Martin.
My recipe for consistency includes a measure of commitment and perseverance. I see those who are consistent and committed and who are working extremely hard in a different direction from the way I believe is forward. We're not going back for a re-do. So, the question is consistency for what puirpose? To build up or to tear down?
I think I learned a lot about myself. I thought the pottery story was going to end up with the one perfect pottery taking out the prize, because the quality one was just concerned about pumping it out that they didn't take care with the quality at all. Interestingly, they improved through doing.
As a recovering perfectionist, it wasn't until I embraced the "experimenting" that I really started showing up on Substack. I had a basic plan, but that soon went out the window, as I gave myself freedom to adjust as I learned.
Thank you, great read!
There’s so much to love here Martin! Put aside perfection and just have a go - I think lots of people on here preach this but, in the wider world, I don’t think that’s the most common way to take action but I’m trying to do more this way and I’m definitely seeing the benefits.
This is so true. You really can have passive learners which is what we need to try and avoid.
Great article, Martin! I totally believe that showing up and doing work even minimally is better than any time spent reading the best book or best newsletter on "How To". You learn so much more by doing than reading or listening. I would add that consistent work in the right area though is still very important, so consistent work in a focused area is the key. Consistently writing articles won't make you the best public speaker, even though you know how to convey a thought through words.
Very wise words. Thank you. I'm trying not to crowd please. I don't want to fall into that hole.
Great essay, Martin. I heard a quote recently that might resonate with you - “Being consistent doesn't guarantee you'll find success. But not being consistent guarantees you won't find success”.
I recently wrote a short essay on the soft-skill attributes that lead to success. I didn't include consistency - and just now realise what a mistake that was!
Loved this post. It addresses many questions many people ponder for years. Thanks for writing it. I have subscribed to get more like these in my inbox.
"the works of highest quality were all produced by the group being graded for quantity." I'm not surprised, because of an experience at university, in a psychology module. People doing a task had to decide whether to go for speed or accuracy. The ones who plumped for speed obtained ore accurate results than the ones who went for accuracy. The reason was that the latter thought too much about the task, whereas the first lot just got on with it. So, much the same as what you've reported here.
I also think it ties in with the adage, which I try to abide by, "better done than perfect", which also ties in with a concept I've adopted and adapted from psychology, that of good enough mothering. In the context of writing, much as I'd like my work to be perfect, there comes a point where a writer has to say "OK, this is good enough". Obviously, there are exceptions: I'd prefer a nurse's manual to be perfect rather than good enough! But for the sort of writing people like you, I and many other 'stackers do, good enough is, erm, good enough.
I think consistency has its place in habit building. In giving something a chance before deciding if this is something you want to keep doing. For instance I have a podcast. It was a real struggle to be consistent at first because it was a real struggle to write, to deal with all my concerns as to whether it was good enough, it was a real struggle to post etc etc. But I put consistency high on my priority list and these days I have a little clock ticking in my head where I EXPECT myself to deliver the podcast on time. It's not a fight at all. In fact now I find it easy and enjoy it.
Then there was a time when I was posting on Pinterest. Again I aimed for consistency, but no matter what I tried it was an out and out battle every single time. I committed to continuing for a fixed amount of time before deciding what to do. The decision was then easy: to drop it.
By giving consistency a go I know I'm making decisions from a sound place rather than "this is hard" or "I can't be bothered" or "I'm afraid this won't work".
There's a similar story to the pottery one, which I love, from the corporate world. A number of groups were challenged to build the tallest tower using marshmallows and spaghetti. On average it was kindergartners who won...beating CEOs, lawyers, MBA grads. The toddlers just got on and tried, whilst the other groups thought and planned what might work best. It's a simple case of learn by doing!
As a perfectionist, I loved every word and needed to read this, Martin. Thank you.
Consistency can be a slippery one if it's laced with shoulds and guilt so I appreciate your perspective here. I loved your point about the blue-moon events.
Thank you, Martin! I am still fairly new to Substack and in the process of learning. You post resonates as sane, logical, and do-able. I appreciate that!
Dear Martin,
Thank you for your insightful post.
With profound humility, may intention play an invisibly significant role with what you describe?
Humbly,
🙏
Being too consistent can make things boring and limit new ideas. Sometimes you need to be open to change and randomness. Balance is important. Too much consistency stops you from growing. Add in flexibility as well. Great insights Martin.
My recipe for consistency includes a measure of commitment and perseverance. I see those who are consistent and committed and who are working extremely hard in a different direction from the way I believe is forward. We're not going back for a re-do. So, the question is consistency for what puirpose? To build up or to tear down?