Doing a little bit of that thing every day, no matter how you feel. Keeping it up. Sticking to the routine. Getting the right habits. These are all terms we throw around when we talk about consistency.
But do we actually need to have a routine and do things every day?
Does it really help us get more done? Feel better?
And if the answer is yes, how the hell do you even make that happen without turning into a robot?
Let’s talk about consistency. Not the toxic kind that burns you out, but the kind that keeps you grounded, focused, and thriving.
Is Consistency Actually More Productive?
Yes.
Let’s look at what the real world — not just theory — has to say.
Here’s what the researchers found during COVID at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Business:
No matter how hard it gets, consistency outperforms chaos.
When tasks and expectations remain relatively stable, people perform more effectively and feel better overall. In contrast, unpredictable workloads tend to reduce both productivity and morale.
Here’s why a consistent level of challenge helps individuals stay engaged without becoming overwhelmed. When demands constantly shift, anxiety tends to increase, and focus declines.
Consistency provides a baseline. When your actions are repeatable, it becomes easier to assess what’s working and make informed adjustments.
How to Be More Consistent
You’re not a factory machine. You’re a human being. But even as a non-machine, you can still build enough rhythm into your day to actually get stuff done.
Here’s how:
1. Triggers Instead of Motivation
Motivation is great, but it’s inconsistent by nature. Why? Because it’s driven by dopamine, and dopamine isn’t exactly stable. It fluctuates depending on stress, mood, environment, and even your diet.
And it is this neurotransmitter that lets you decide whether you keep going or quit.
High dopamine can make you restless and reactive. Low dopamine? You might begin well but quit the task when it gets difficult. So if you’re waiting to feel motivated, you’ll often be waiting a while.
That’s why triggers are a better alternative. Triggers are predictable. They’re habits you already have, like tying up your hair, making coffee, or finishing lunch. That can act as anchors for new behaviors.
Instead of relying on motivation, attach your next action to something you already do. For example:
“After coffee, I practice.”
“Right after brushing my teeth, I open my notebook.”
Over time, this becomes automatic. It’s no longer about how you feel, it’s just the next step in your flow. And that’s what consistency actually looks like: predictable, repeatable, and grounded in something solid.
So next time you don’t feel like starting your music practice, don’t wait to feel inspired. Just remind yourself: after coffee, it’s time to get that trumpet out of its case.
2. Mild Instead of Big Routine
Planning a daily routine that helps you achieve more sounds great, until it becomes impossible to stick to. If your routine feels like a grind or a punishment, it won’t last. You’re not a 24/7 operating machine, and expecting yourself to be one is a fast track to burnout.
Instead, aim for a routine that works on your best days and your worst days, the days when life feels good and the days when everything feels like a chore.
So next time you feel guilty for not practicing your instrument for 12 hours straight, remember what James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, says: “Make it easy.”
3. Doing Instead of Thinking
One of the biggest perks of having a routine is that you don’t have to spend time and energy every night planning your next day. When your actions become predictable, you skip the endless “What should I do next?” loop.
Our brains have a limited amount of mental energy reserved for decision-making. Every choice you make, no matter how small, uses up a bit of that energy. It’s not only the big life decisions—picking what to eat or which project to tackle also chips away at your focus and willpower. As the day goes on, this decision fatigue builds up, making it harder to think clearly and control impulses.
By automating parts of your day through routine, you save that precious energy for the work that actually matters.
So next time you feel overwhelmed trying to plan your day or decide what to tackle, take a page from Nike’s playbook and just do it.
4. Acceptance Instead of Resistance
A lot of productivity advice boils down to pushing harder, sticking to discipline, and powering through even when it’s tough. Sure, that can work, but usually only for a little while before burnout kicks in.
The truth is, our brain chemistry plays a bigger role than we often admit. Dopamine — the neurotransmitter behind motivation and reward — doesn’t drop just because you avoid distractions or overstimulation. So trying to “fast” from dopamine or force focus by sheer willpower doesn’t really work long-term.
That’s why a gentler approach wins: accepting that distractions happen, and using tools that help you redirect your attention without punishment or pressure.
And here’s why we built a productivity app that does things differently:
- Real-time reminders that gently pull you back.
Got distracted mid-task? You’ll get a quick, light reminder that helps you refocus without pressure or guilt.
- Short stories to reset your brain.
Designed to engage without overstimulating, these quick reads give your mind a break while still training your attention.
- Mini-games that build focus through play.
They’re simple, entertaining, and just challenging enough to exercise your brain. Think of them as meditation in disguise.
- Calendar integration to reduce decision fatigue.
You don’t need to spend an hour making decisions. Set your deadlines, create your flow, and let the app handle the reminders.
- Customization that fits your style.
Choose your own goals, meditation sessions, game difficulty, and more. The app learns how you work and adjusts accordingly.
- Productivity reports that show the full picture.
See where your time’s going and what’s getting in the way. Daily, weekly, and monthly.
The goal isn’t to turn you into a machine. It’s to help you stay consistent on your own terms.
Starting Today...
Consistency doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from doing the small things even when it’s messy, inconvenient, and not that impressive.
Start by lowering the pressure. Focus on rhythm, not intensity. Swap motivation for triggers.
Shrink your routine until it fits you on your worst days. Trust action over planning. Let your tools support you, not control you.