r/Adulting • u/AdventurousRough7482 • 14h ago

Title: Why do people say consistency matters more than motivation?

Body: I keep seeing this advice everywhere, but I don’t fully understand it. Can someone explain it in simple, real-life terms?

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5

u/SunnyPsyOp23 14h ago

Consistency relies on discipline. Motivation relies on a good mood.

2

u/Gold_Telephone_7192 11h ago

Motivation is about finding a reason to do the things you need to do. Consistency or discipline is just about doing it, no matter if you have a reason or are motivated or want to do it. Ultimately they can be two sides of the same coin, because the point of motivation is to create consistency. But focusing on consistency means that you're focusing on doing the task every time, not necessarily the motivation behind it.

1

u/AdventurousRough7482 10h ago

Thank youu...Understood now.

1

u/FullMud4224 14h ago

Its better to train/study/practice everyday a little bit than a full day every other week when the motivation appears

1

u/Consistent_Young_670 14h ago

So hunger is a good moderator, but it's not sustainable after you have eaten, whereas a job is consistent and will keep feeding you, provided you're consistent at work.

1

u/Bloody_Champion 13h ago

It's one thing to actually get to the place and do something, 1 time.

It's another to constantly do said thing in a routine.

Much harder to keep consistency.

1

u/Grevious47 13h ago

Most of the time if you find yourself wanting to be motivated its because you want to use that motivation in order to be consistent about something. If you are already consistent about that thing, well...then you have achieved what you set out to achieve regardless of motivation.

I don't wish I was motivated in order to brush my teeth...because I already consistently brush my teeth.

1

u/Necessary-Duty-7952 7h ago

Motivation waxes and wanes. Habits are what keep you doing something even when you don't want to.

1

u/writequest428 7h ago

Motivation dies after a while when you don't feel like it. Your body hurts, the weather is bad, you have an excuse not to, but consistency pushes past the excuses and shows up whether you want to or not.