Consistency > Intensity

Consistency is more important than intensity.

When managing people, raising a child, training for a new skill, or working physically, the principle applies.

Grand canyon was not created with one swing of a huge shovel.

Arnold Schwarzenegger did not become a bodybuilding champion by lifting an elephant once.

Despite the statement being intuitively clear, some fail to recognise the right situations and apply it well in real life. The temptation to solve any problem with a big one-time effort is just too strong.

Inconsistency causing addiction to undesired behaviour #

Timmy ignores his mother’s requests to refrain from eating chocolate snacks as a replacement for a healthy lunch. Sometimes the mother delivers punishment of varying severity, and sometimes she’s so tired that she pretends not to see how Timmy stuffs himself full of chocolate instead of his cabbage salad. Little does the mom know that this variable reward is exactly what causes Timmy’s addiction to his behaviour.

Crime and punishment #

Being applied to crime and punishment, the principle remains. Certainty of punishment is more important than its severity.

The torture chamber in Gravensteen, Ghent (visit when you have the opportunity, a beautiful castle museum right in the center of the city) operated roughly in XII – XVIII centuries.

The prisoners – thieves, murderers, or heretics, were subjected to horrible torture as a punishment for their crimes. There is no evidence that such a severe punishment ensured the total safety of the city and its surroundings and eradication of violent crime at the period.

Why do people still prefer intensity over consistency #

Consistency and discipline are boring. Intensity is fun. ■