Why Consistency Feels So Damn Hard
Hint: It's not because you don't have the perfect system...
“I want to show up consistently online to help build my personal brand and business. I want to move through fear to create systems and processes to make it easier to show up online consistently (I have a big block and a lot of procrastination around this and often use limited time or bandwidth as an excuse).”
This was one of the goals of a member of the last cohort of The Alchemy of Fear program, so I wanted to share my thoughts on why consistency is such a common struggle creators have when they’re starting out, or sometimes even when they’re further along in their journey.
Despite what the productivity gurus claim, consistency isn’t about systems.
At least, not at first. Systems are great, but you can’t systematize nothing. Meaning you have to actually create something (a business, an offer, a creative workflow, etc.) in order to have something to systematize later on.
Try to skip straight to building systems and you just end up getting efficient at the wrong things. No, the real reason consistency is so hard (especially in the early stages) is because you do three things…
You overthink.
How should I design my newsletter, YouTube banner, and social media graphics? What hexcode is perfect for my brand? What’s my “thing” that separates me from everyone else? What are my three main content buckets?
You overcomplicate.
Before I do the thing, I have to plan out how to do the thing. Then I have to do research on the best way to do the thing and compare all the different ways to do the thing so I can find the best way to do the thing. Damn, this thing feels complicated all of a sudden.
You overcommit.
I need to be everywhere all at once every day. I have to make 3-5x posts every day, native to every platform, plus longform, plus do outreach, plus add a few rungs to my value ladder, plus do that collaboration, plus…damn I’m overwhelmed all of a sudden and kind of burned out already.
And you wonder why consistency feels so damn hard.
It’s easier to say it’s too complicated, it’s too much, it’s too overwhelming to be consistent. But that’s a cop out for what’s really going on—self-doubt.
Because if you dig deeper, I guarantee you’ll find thoughts like these swirling around the recesses of your mind:
What if it’s not good enough? What if people find flaws in it? What if I don’t have anything new to say? Who do I think I am to put this out there?
Systems won’t solve your self-doubt.
Look, I may not know you personally (or maybe I do), but I deeply believe you have something unique to share with the world in some form—whether it’s through building a business that offers products and services, publishing your ideas through writing or video, or simply supporting others in the way only you can.
Because each of us has something worth sharing with the world—our expertise, our stories, our skills—something.
But self-doubt causes self-sabotage, which is why the main reason you struggle with consistency probably comes down to the fact that you’re afraid of something.
Consistency isn’t just about showing up. It’s also about navigating self-doubt, being willing to put yourself and your ideas out into the world, and giving yourself permission to do the things you deeply want to do.
Yes it’s hard.
Yes it’s scary.
But it’s also worth it.
Until next time—memento mori,
Corey
P.S.
You’re not the only person who struggles with this. I’ve directly helped hundreds and hundreds of people all over the world navigate the fear, self-doubt, and self-sabotage holding them back from doing the work only they can do. They had too much potential to let fear continue to trap them in mediocrity. If this sounds like you—you know you’re meant for more but something keeps holding you back—I’d love to help you directly (beyond free articles like this one).
Enrollment for Cohort 3 of The Alchemy of Fear program opens in a few days.
It’s a 6-week live group coaching program where you’ll work directly with me alongside a tightknit group of fellow creators to transform your relationship with fear so it becomes a catalyst for growth instead of an obstacle holding you back.
It’s designed to help you answer one question:
What could you achieve if fear wasn’t holding you back right now?
Alumni consistently describe it as “life-changing” and “transformational.”
But don’t take my word for it. Check out the program to hear what alumni have to say and join the waitlist to be the first to know when it opens (and secure an exclusive early bird discount).
P.P.S.
Consistency is hard enough when you deeply care about what you’re doing. But it’s damn-near impossible (and honestly worthless) when you don’t give a shit about your work or the impact it can have. If you don’t have clarity on this, read my article, From Chaos to Conviction as a starting point.