Consistency isn’t repetition
We are terrible at being the same person two days in a row.
“Tomorrow, I’ll wake up at 06:00, meditate, work out, and crush my Todo list”. That’s what I often tell myself, but when tomorrow arrives, reality throws a wrench into my well-laid plans, and I’m left wondering why I can’t stick to my script. Does it sound familiar?
The mismatch between your plans and reality lies in the way that life operates, much more like a relay than a solo run, where each day, a new runner (“today-you”) takes the baton; you are not the same person you were yesterday, but a subtly different version with fresh energy, priorities, and patience.
This isn’t about laziness. It’s about our evolutionary wiring for instant gratification, our brains prioritize short-term rewards over long-term gains1. We binge Netflix tonight, aware future-us will pay the price, but tomorrow’s discomfort feels abstract today. This isn’t a moral failure; it’s biology.
Here’s the pivot: consistency isn’t repetition, it’s continuity. Think of momentum not as a linear path, but as a game where every small effort unlocks future advantages. Instead of demanding identical effort daily, focus on leaving momentum for the next iteration of you. Skipped the gym? Do five push-ups. Overwhelmed by work? Write one sentence. These aren’t compromises — they’re lifelines. Like saving progress in a video game, they ensure tomorrow’s player doesn’t reboot at level one.
The real challenge? Bridging the empathy gap. If you feel disconnected from your future self, consider this: small investments build trust in your capacity to grow. Reframe future-you as a family member — you wouldn’t abandon a sibling to chaos. Meal prepping, clearing your desk, or evening journaling aren’t tedious chores. They’re strategic passes to a teammate you’re rooting for, even if you’re still building a relationship with them.
How to create change? You don’t need to have it all figured out. Learn by doing. A failed attempt teaches tomorrow’s self what not to repeat. A half-finished task is a foothold for progress. Action, even messy action, is data, not the final verdict.
In summary, you don’t have to win the whole game today. Just set the next player up for an easier round. Play your turn fully, savor the moment, and then hand off the controller. Momentum compounds when today’s moves, no matter how small, lay the groundwork for tomorrow’s success.