Consistency Matters More Than Intensity

“I don’t go to bed until I finish all the tasks I set for myself.”

That’s what one of my students told me when I asked her how she managed to produce so much work for every class—far more than her classmates.

At first, I thought she was exaggerating. Surely, she wasn’t staying up late every single night, especially for work that wasn’t even due the next day?

But she was serious.

After asking more questions, I learned she juggled school, a part-time job, and volunteer work on weekends.

She didn’t have the luxury of postponing today’s work to tomorrow because tomorrow was already spoken for.

For her, finishing each day’s tasks was just part of the routine.

What stood out wasn’t just her work ethic—it was the way she described it. “It’s nothing special,” she said.

Nothing special? To me, it sounded intense, even grueling. But to her, it was just… normal. That’s when I realized I had misunderstood what made her so productive. I

It wasn’t about intensity at all—it was about consistency.

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The Difference Between Intensity and Consistency

When I first heard her describe her approach, I assumed her success was fueled by sheer intensity: those short, powerful bursts of effort that seem superhuman.

After all, staying up late and tackling everything on your to-do list sounds like the definition of intensity.

But the more I listened, the more I realized she didn’t see her work as intense. To her, it was as ordinary as brushing her teeth or making her bed.

It wasn’t about working harder or pushing herself to the brink; it was simply the way she operated every day.

That’s the key difference. Intensity is about short-term effort; consistency is about long-term habits.

Intensity is the all-nighter to finish a project. Consistency is setting aside time every day to chip away at it. One burns bright and fast, while the other keeps a steady flame.

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Why We Overestimate Others and Underestimate Ourselves

What really fascinated me was how differently we interpret effort—our own versus others’.

I saw my student’s routine as intense because it looked extraordinary to me. But to her, it was just consistency.

Meanwhile, if she watched an Olympic sprinter train, she might call that intense while dismissing her own daily work as ordinary.

We tend to underestimate our abilities while overestimating others’.

We see their achievements and assume they’re powered by something we don’t have (well in the case of my running speed, I truly don’t have the instensity or the ability)—superhuman effort, talent, or intensity.

But more often than not, their success comes from consistent, unremarkable habits that build up over time which are hidden.

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Consistency: The Quiet Force Behind Growth

Reflecting on my student’s habits made me reconsider my own approach to work.

I’ve often pushed unfinished tasks to the next day, convincing myself I’d get to them eventually.

My student’s “don’t go to bed” rule seemed impossible at first, but I began to see its logic. It wasn’t about staying up late—it was about staying on track.

Consistency isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t feel remarkable in the moment.

But it’s the force behind nearly all meaningful progress.

While intensity grabs attention, consistency delivers results. It’s not about sprinting; it’s about showing up, day in and day out.

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Final Thoughts

If I could borrow a lesson from my student, it’s this: don’t chase intensity when you’re trying to improve. Focus on building habits that feel almost routine. The daily effort may seem small, but it adds up.

So, what’s one thing you’d like to change about yourself?

Think about the process, not just the outcome. Improvement isn’t about dramatic bursts of effort—it’s about the quiet, steady rhythm of consistency.

For now, I’ll admit I still go to bed some nights with unfinished work. But as long as I consistently show up to keep improving, I know I’m on the right path.

And who knows? Maybe someday, I’ll find my own version of “don’t go to bed until it’s done.”