Consistency is Key & Separation Inevitably Creates Anxiety

The hardest part of life for me is consistency. My passion draws me in many different directions, and as I explore each it often feels like the left over and ignored skills start to decay. The longer each skill is left the more stiff the muscles become and the harder it is to pick back up. As the muscles forget, the mind does to, and once vivid memories of success are replaced with fears of incompetence. Spending time relearning basic concepts and wasting time stressing about capabilities creates an environment where progress is slow and often non-existent. Growth takes time and learning takes commitment but the factors stated above can make the concept feel impossible.

A lack of consistency causes deterioration in the muscles. When learning a new skill the fundamentals are not yet engrained in your reflexes and quickly disappear. If the skill is practiced daily your brain has a constant reminder and is continuously building on the day before. Every day between practice (that isn’t a necessary rest day) allows your new and unpracticed skills to deteriorate, meaning that new sessions become daunting as they feel like starting fresh.

A lack of memory creates lack of confidence. Without a distinct example of your skill or actions it is impossible to believe you are capable. As memories of positive work fade they become replaced with thoughts of fear and anxiety. The question ‘am I capable’ circling your mind for hours while projects sit unfinished or un-started. Most times the most valuable action of an artist is to finish a project, even if its rushed, even if its bad, just to prove to yourself you can still do it and gain the confidence to dive into the next.

Often progression becomes slow and almost stagnant. The amount of time wasted re-learning skills and doubting ones capabilities is debilitating to an artist looking to learn and grow. Simultaneously, these growth periods create lack of confidence as spending an extended period of time being anything (in this case, bad at something you love) makes you believe that is all you can be. It is infinitely untrue but most people subscribe to the idea that you are only valuable for what you can/have done TODAY. It is essential to remind yourself of your capabilities by engaging them consistently.

Consistency is the single most valuable tool for growth in all forms and most people are unaware of this. Our systems beat us down, teach us that if you don't learn the same way as everyone else you are invalid, but this simply is untrue. A journey cannot begin if the path is unclear and effort can not be made if passion does not exist.