On Consistency
In this new year, allow yourself some mediocrity.
“Every habit and capability is confirmed and grows in its corresponding actions, walking by walking, and running by running . . . therefore, if you want to do something make a habit of it.” - Epictetus
One of the most annoying things you’ll learn as a doctor is that disease doesn’t own a calendar. It doesn’t care about your Christmas, your birthday, or your mood.
While the rest of the world is sleeping off a hangover or driving to the coast with the windows down, I’m putting on scrubs. The hospital smells the same on a holiday as it does on a Tuesday: antiseptic, the gore of a gangrenous wound, and coffee.
I’m going to be honest with you. However cool my job is, I really don’t like being at work on holidays. I like laying in bed staring at the ceiling, calculating exactly how late I could get to work and still keep my job. Or how early I could leave, crossing my fingers not to be called back. The lethargy is heavy enough to break bones. So I usually make a deal with myself; I don’t have to be good today. I just have to be here and follow the system I’ve laid out for doing things without having to think too much. I’ve found that the secret to success is often lowering the bar just enough not trip over it. Basically, I only bring my body with me- it’s not that busy during the holidays anyway.
And that. That right there, dear reader, is the secret. That’s the truth about how you build a massive dream without burning out or giving up.
Most people fail at their craft, their business, or their fitness because they think every session has to be a masterpiece. They think they have to show up 100% all the time. And while it’s good to have high standards and expectations for yourself, the problem is that you treat your goals like fine china- you only touch them on special occasions when the conditions are perfect- when you’re at your best. You think if you can’t run ten miles, you shouldn’t put on your shoes. That is absolute garbage. You’re shortchanging yourself. It’s a very noble way to ensure you never actually accomplish anything.
The real pros? The ones who actually make it? They are masters of the “bare minimum.”
When you feel that laziness, or the blues on your chest, you don’t fight them. You bring them to the arena with you.
Sit down and write a terrible page.
Go to the gym and do a lazy, bare minimum workout- you don’t even have to sweat.
Show up to the canvas and paint something stupid.
Just keep the IV drip running. A bad workout is still infinitely better than a good excuse.
You can go back to sleep right after. You can binge-watch that show or go for that road trip thereafter. But you have to do the ugly work first. Because the only difference between a dreamer and a doer is that the doer is willing to do an average job, except- of course- when handling emergencies- on the days they don’t feel like doing a good one. They allow themselves some mediocrity.
You don’t need to fear your dreams to fit your tired reality. You just need to realize that big dreams aren’t built on inspiration and good conditions. Inspiration is like a flaky friend who borrows money and never texts back. Do not wait for him. Build on the days you want to quit; show up- promising yourself like a wily kid that you won’t enjoy it- and do it all lazily instead.
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Do not act when you feel ready.
Act when it is right.
Character is forged on the days when will is absent.
I love the line "Inspiration is like a flaky friend who borrows money and never texts back." If you have to wait for inspiration to get to work, you'll end up alone and broke.