Consistency or Short Bursts

I'll be honest: I had caffeine today, wrote like 10 blog posts, and decided to reinvent my life. Yesterday, I bedrotted and watched Frieren.

Is consistency the key? Doing the same small tasks every single day, getting 1% better every single day? Or is it being in tune with yourself-when you feel like working, you can build momentum and do even more work?

Again, my answer is usually the same: balance.

Consistency allows us to do the work. We get up, code, work out, network. Every day, simple.

Then short bursts mean we can still do the work, but we put it off when we feel burnout coming on or when JJK releases a new episode every Thursday.

Can Consistency Lead to Burnout?

I think it can, and the level of consistency matters. The level of effort matters. Maybe sending emails for 5 minutes will not lead to burnout, but if your regular routine consists of hiking Mount Everest, reading 5 scriptures, and swimming 50 laps, then maybe...

But the real question-or debate, rather-is whether some people are more suited to short bursts of work, especially overthinkers who question every small thing.

One of my history teachers in high school taught me to set a timer for a task and try to complete the task within that time frame. Sometimes, giving yourself artificial pressure produces diamonds.

Balance Is the Answer

Consistency is needed and admired. But short bursts of work don't mean a negative approach. Not everything has to be a consistent endeavor to achieve goals.

My solution is balance: having consistency, but also relying on that 3 a.m. energy to motivate you and push you forward when consistency isn't ramping up progress.

What do you think of this approach?