"Consistency" (when it is dull, uninspired, and too routine) can kill creativity. It's important to have a balance between consistency, inspiration, and purpose.
I'd say that I'm purposeful and consistent. I have to put my words out there every day. For me but most importantly for those who may feel or think like I do.
That's a valid point. I just felt like reacting to that eternal call for consistency, first of all, as the means to becoming a popular writer on (social) media.
My point is, that consistency without purpose is rather pointless. If there is nothing to tell, or no people waiting for the next part. Students expect such a next part from their teacher, for instance, but they also expect it to be valuable, not just words.
We see a lot of consistency in TV news and similar, but at times, it feels odd when in an interview the people talk about nothing or repeat things, because they must fill out a certain number of minutes TV time. When I studied IT, long ago, all the American textbooks had 2–3 times as many pages as the European ones, apparently because writers in the USA were paid for the number of pages (according to one teacher, when he was asked).
Whatever the reasons, people often feel bound to produce writing in a certain amount, at a certain frequency, even when they have little to say or the point could be made in fewer words.
Those who find themselves disliking being in such a hamster wheel, could perhaps find inspiration to break out of it by embracing the word "purposeful".
I know what you mean. When I first ventured into online writing, many years ago, I felt bad that I wasn't consistent with my blog. Of course I wrote a lot of random disjointed posts that had minimal purpose if any at all.
When I began to focus on my core values and overall message that I was trying to convey, things got better. That's when I became purposefully consistent.
It’s true that we need to organize our time and create an environment for writing where we feel relaxed and inspired. What helps me is meditative music and sometimes a joint :) And if I manage to get a workout in beforehand, then I’m full of positivity :)
I agree on the music – listening to Ennio Morricone just now, feeling very relaxed and full of thoughts about life. Yes, we need a good environment, a frame, a cave. Something that makes us feel safe and comfortable. Then we can achieve anything! :)
That’s true - a time for yourself, to comfort you and to let your imagination wander - this can be very fulfilling, and out of that, there’s a good chance that something beautiful will emerge;)
When we talk about consistency, it’s definitely important. But what matters even more is our attitude towards consistency. If we love what we do, being consistent doesn’t feel like a chore – it happens naturally, because we choose it for ourselves. After all, who wouldn’t want to do what they love?
If we’re struggling with consistency, we should ask ourselves why we’re forcing it. Maybe it’s worth exploring what’s causing that resistance.
The purpose of writing can be seen from different angles. For example, the goal might be to get more likes, connect with readers, or publish a book. But any goal related to writing should be achievable in the moment. For instance:
Through writing I want to find more clarity (immediately achievable).
I write because I feel like it (immediately achievable).
Any activity we do should feel fulfilling in the moment – it should be both the goal and the process. Writing is like that too. We write simply because we want to write. Isn’t that reason enough?
That's how I see it. Maybe I am not seasoned enough in writing so that I lost some mojo and now I should revert to some brute force technique to get me on the right track:)
You're right: the "consistency, consistency, consistency" advice may help people to do something at all, where they would otherwise postpone it forever.
For a more routined writer, consistency loses this kind of value, and it often sticks only as a stress factor, one of life's unneeded restrictions and silly demands.
Of course, you may be in a job or similar relation that requires a certain amount of writing done, but then we can run into that what you say: if it is necessary to force it, why is it so?
About purpose: Yes, I agree. There can be very many different purposes. But if you can't find any, then today may not be the best day to write, and it should be fine to skip a day of the schedule.
My reason for saying it is that forcing a writing rhythm that only consists of writing "something" at fixed intervals will lead to several bad things:
* uninspired texts about a topic not even the writer cares about
* quick fixes in the shape of copying others' work or letting AI do something
* half work published – such that should have had a couple more rounds of adjustments
And worst of all: The writer will feel bad about it.
It is usually better to arrange life so that whatever we do will contribute to making us feel good.
You made me think. The best thing a writer can do. Lovely piece.
Thank you, that's all I hope for :)
What you’re speaking to, Jorgen is authenticity and balance. I appreciate this! Thank you.
"Consistency" (when it is dull, uninspired, and too routine) can kill creativity. It's important to have a balance between consistency, inspiration, and purpose.
I'd say that I'm purposeful and consistent. I have to put my words out there every day. For me but most importantly for those who may feel or think like I do.
That's a valid point. I just felt like reacting to that eternal call for consistency, first of all, as the means to becoming a popular writer on (social) media.
My point is, that consistency without purpose is rather pointless. If there is nothing to tell, or no people waiting for the next part. Students expect such a next part from their teacher, for instance, but they also expect it to be valuable, not just words.
We see a lot of consistency in TV news and similar, but at times, it feels odd when in an interview the people talk about nothing or repeat things, because they must fill out a certain number of minutes TV time. When I studied IT, long ago, all the American textbooks had 2–3 times as many pages as the European ones, apparently because writers in the USA were paid for the number of pages (according to one teacher, when he was asked).
Whatever the reasons, people often feel bound to produce writing in a certain amount, at a certain frequency, even when they have little to say or the point could be made in fewer words.
Those who find themselves disliking being in such a hamster wheel, could perhaps find inspiration to break out of it by embracing the word "purposeful".
That was the idea ;)
I know what you mean. When I first ventured into online writing, many years ago, I felt bad that I wasn't consistent with my blog. Of course I wrote a lot of random disjointed posts that had minimal purpose if any at all.
When I began to focus on my core values and overall message that I was trying to convey, things got better. That's when I became purposefully consistent.
It’s true that we need to organize our time and create an environment for writing where we feel relaxed and inspired. What helps me is meditative music and sometimes a joint :) And if I manage to get a workout in beforehand, then I’m full of positivity :)
I agree on the music – listening to Ennio Morricone just now, feeling very relaxed and full of thoughts about life. Yes, we need a good environment, a frame, a cave. Something that makes us feel safe and comfortable. Then we can achieve anything! :)
That’s true - a time for yourself, to comfort you and to let your imagination wander - this can be very fulfilling, and out of that, there’s a good chance that something beautiful will emerge;)
When we talk about consistency, it’s definitely important. But what matters even more is our attitude towards consistency. If we love what we do, being consistent doesn’t feel like a chore – it happens naturally, because we choose it for ourselves. After all, who wouldn’t want to do what they love?
If we’re struggling with consistency, we should ask ourselves why we’re forcing it. Maybe it’s worth exploring what’s causing that resistance.
The purpose of writing can be seen from different angles. For example, the goal might be to get more likes, connect with readers, or publish a book. But any goal related to writing should be achievable in the moment. For instance:
Through writing I want to find more clarity (immediately achievable).
I write because I feel like it (immediately achievable).
Any activity we do should feel fulfilling in the moment – it should be both the goal and the process. Writing is like that too. We write simply because we want to write. Isn’t that reason enough?
That's how I see it. Maybe I am not seasoned enough in writing so that I lost some mojo and now I should revert to some brute force technique to get me on the right track:)
You're right: the "consistency, consistency, consistency" advice may help people to do something at all, where they would otherwise postpone it forever.
For a more routined writer, consistency loses this kind of value, and it often sticks only as a stress factor, one of life's unneeded restrictions and silly demands.
Of course, you may be in a job or similar relation that requires a certain amount of writing done, but then we can run into that what you say: if it is necessary to force it, why is it so?
About purpose: Yes, I agree. There can be very many different purposes. But if you can't find any, then today may not be the best day to write, and it should be fine to skip a day of the schedule.
My reason for saying it is that forcing a writing rhythm that only consists of writing "something" at fixed intervals will lead to several bad things:
* uninspired texts about a topic not even the writer cares about
* quick fixes in the shape of copying others' work or letting AI do something
* half work published – such that should have had a couple more rounds of adjustments
And worst of all: The writer will feel bad about it.
It is usually better to arrange life so that whatever we do will contribute to making us feel good.