Why "Write Consistently" may be Bullshit Advice (And How to Break Free from the Myth)
Box Cutter Co. Free Issue No. 67
Have you heard this advice?
"Write consistently” (and success is sure to follow).
In the last two years of being an independent CEO of my time and energy — plus writing and publishing (almost daily), I have seen this advice repeatedly:
“Just write consistently”
… and then some bullshit notion about how success and glory are right behind it.
“Write and publish for 30 days straight and change your life…” (or some other vacuous statement)
It may be one of the most common pieces of advice on writing you’ll find. (And, it’s been around since pre-Internet days).
But let’s shatter the glass on this precious and empty little piece of Bullshit.
This adage often falls into the red zone of my prototype Bullshit Early Warning System (BEWS).
Writing every day consistently — or even every few days — in the same way does not guarantee success. Nor will it necessarily lead you to Writer’s glory or business success.
Below are some thoughts on why sometimes we need to push back on common advice. Let’s start with the definition of consistent.
Defining Consistent (and its roots)
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary provides this definition of consistent 👇
Looking at the etymology (roots) of consistent may assist in highlighting some troubling aspects even more.
It comes from the Latin word consistere "to stand firm, take a standing position, stop, halt."
It’s comprised of two roots com "with, together" + sistere "to place." This comes from the Latin word stare "to stand, be standing," which comes from the ancient Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root word *sta- "to stand, make or be firm."
Thus, if being consistent means standing firm… how does this assist us writerly-types?
I was thinking about this recently on a long bicycle ride and here are the analogies that came to mind.
Crossovers Between Bicycling and Writing
When I left the world of corporate employment a little over two years ago, one of the biggest commitments I made to myself (and my family) was to fitness and well-being.
I worked for six years in healthcare, several of those as a senior leader — including two years in the COVID pandemic where we were engaged in emergency planning and response (concurrently).
When I walked away cold turkey from steady employment in the Spring of 2022 there were some simple commitments made (at least to say them).
Figure out how to be the CEO of my own time and energy — and have researching, synthesizing, and writing as core activities
Make sure that I don’t become another late 40s/early 50s drop dead of a stress-induced-heart-attack-stat (e.g. do more things to thrive… not survive)
It was a big risk with 3 teens, a mortgage, some debts (e.g., student loans), and no clients or projects lined up (initially).
CEO of my own time and energy
To fulfill number 1 above I set out to learn how to start and build digital writing businesses, which has also evolved into Co-founding a social enterprise and educational startup (Humanity Academy).
Box Cutter Co. is essentially the digital journal of these processes, along with the recent addition of The Soulpreneur Series. I also made this commitment in direct connection to Number 2 👇.
Not Another Dead 50-year-old-dad Stat
For any of you who have read previous issues or my other writing — multiple family deaths plus friends and colleagues were also massive motivators in my/our decision for me to become Box Cutter Co.
Along with my own scare a few years ago (in an Emergency Dept. because of intense chest pains 👇)
I got the all-clear — tests showed a healthy and fit heart. It was also just days after my mom had passed, COVID was still around, and my soul had been shrivelling for years in corporate employment.
I’ve managed to keep half-decent fitness in recent years. However, when I returned to working for myself in early 2022 (something I did before getting married in 2009) — I committed to doing a lot more cycling and keeping my heart (and soul) healthy.
Cycling is also something I used to do more of in my late 20s and early 30s.
For example, between 2001 and 2003, I completed a 10,000 km solo bicycle tour between Inuvik, Northwest Territories (western Arctic of Canada) and Los Angeles, California.
It was a challenging and exhilarating journey.
It was also a time in my life when I was questioning A LOT (maybe early Box Cutter philosophy days?). Many, many days of simply peddling, peddling some more, then some more after that… were deeply therapeutic.
Along with an immense amount of time on my own.
In recent years, riding on gravel roads and gravel bikes have become very popular. In the summer of 2022, I invested in a decent entry-level gravel bike (a Trek Checkpoint) and started training for my first events — and riding for the simple pleasure of it.
And, this is where I find a lot of crossover between thinking about and ‘doing’ bicycling and thinking about and ‘doing’ writing.
Consistently Biking, Consistently Writing
Let’s go back to the three definitions of consistency above and break the glass on this idea of “just write consistently” — and do this by comparing Biking and Writing (stick with me here).
The first gravel biking event I decided to take on (in the late summer of 2022) was no small potatoes. It was a 5-day event and approximately 400 km total with the longest day (the first) being almost 100 km.
The elevation profiles for each stage were shared before the race. It involved a lot of climbing. I knew I had to get my training in if:
I didn’t want to get injured, and
I wanted to have some level of enjoyment of the event.
I also knew signing up for the event months in advance would motivate me to put some training in.
Let’s break this down through the 3 definitions of ‘consistency’.
Consistency Definition A: “Free from Variation”
Starting with the observation that “free from variation” sounds like homogeny…
Cycling Analogy
Imagine training for an endurance cycling race.
If I were to ride the same route, at the same pace, every day (e.g. consistency), my body and mind would not be prepared for the variability that comes with a 5-day event.
Initially, I might see some improvement, but soon, progress plateaus. This is because muscles and cardio are no longer challenged, and I’m not pushing my limits.
However, push this too long and I’m most likely going to get some sort of repetitive-use injury.
Applying to Writing
Writing in the same way every day (e.g. consistency) leads to creative stagnation. Just as muscles and cardiovascular systems need different exercises, tempos, and intensities to improve and grow, one’s writing needs the same.
For me, I’ve abandoned bullshit notions of “writing consistently” to achieve some sort of magical success. In two years of working steadily at digital writing — learning about it, practicing it, and building it — I’ve learned at an even deeper level how much I love to write (and all that comes with that).
Yet, this does not mean I ‘love’ writing All…The…Time….
The same goes for bicycling and training for cycling events.
Sprints, slow crawls, hill climbs, downhills, intensity, lackadaisical, different kinds at different times — these are as important to cycling as they are to writing.
Writing (and Cycling) in variety, variances, and various ways is critical to long-term sustainability and enjoyment. Plus, both are just good for the brain and soul — as is some variety in life.
In recent weeks, I’ve started to write more after taking some breaks and letting things sit and percolate.
Consistency Definition B: “Agreement and Compatibility”
“Write Consistently” translates to doing it when it is agreeable and compatible - and this is often Bullshit. The same goes for cycling.
Cycling Analogy
Suppose you only cycle in perfect weather conditions—sunny, mild temperatures, no wind. While this might be comfortable, it doesn’t prepare you for real and varying conditions.
Years ago when I was running more — I learned that on those days when I didn’t want to run, or it was shitty weather I’d just put on the gear.
That simple act shifted the mindset. And if there was still resistance, I’d say, “Ok self, let’s just run 10 minutes and see how things feel…”
Sure enough, by 10 minutes in, the mind is in the game, the body is warm, and the muscles are ready to go.
I also noticed this in the 5-day gravel bike event I completed in 2022. I’d seen the daily elevation profiles in the months leading up to the race. Therefore, I did a lot of hill training.
We live by a ‘mountain’ with cellular towers at the top. It’s a 500m (~1650 ft) climb up the road to the towers.
Some days, I’d do two reps. One day, about 8 days before the race, I did four reps - this (below) was number 3 👇 🥵
At that event in the fall of 2022, several riders I’d pass each day on the long climbs (Day 3 we had a 26 km climb of almost 1400 m) many were grumbling about the race design — with some being honest that they simply hadn’t put in the training.
I am by no means an ‘elite’ rider.
I finished that race in the middle of the pack, which was exactly my goal. I’d also set a goal to try not to be passed on any given day (because I’d gone out too hard, or misjudged things). I was largely successful in that too.
If you’re not challenging your body, mind and approach to adapt and flow in different scenarios — it’s a recipe for things not working out as you plan — or simply petering out with a lack of motivation and enjoyment.
Applying to Writing
The same goes for writing, if you only do it, or write about topics when it seems agreeable and compatible — you will live a limited writing life. And, similar to putting on the gear, sometimes it’s a matter of saying “Just sit down and write for 10 minutes…”
I’ve written about another common writing adage that I despise “Write what you know”. I often suggest writing more about what one does NOT know. In many senses, that is the definition of ‘learning’.
Real growth, future leverage and improved mindsets are built by pushing through discomfort and challenging one’s self in less-than-perfect circumstances.
(This has certainly been the case for our household in navigating multiple family deaths in recent years.)
By only writing in agreement with your current abilities, knowledge, preferences, or otherwise — you miss opportunities to expand skills, build different mindsets, and encourage resilience.
Famed American novelist Toni Morrison, for example, worked full-time as she wrote and published her first three novels. There are many other examples of writers who did and continue to do similar.
For me, two years into writing and publishing regularly, my ‘writing’ pursuits are certainly not paying the bills.
I have no false notions of becoming an Olympic-level cyclist as I train for more events this year and have set a goal of completing a 200 km gravel ride, and maybe even 300.
I like the personal challenges and the variety. The same goes for writing.
Consistency Definition C: “Steady Conformity to Character, Profession, Belief, or Custom”
Last summer (2023), I decided to challenge my cycling repertoire. I invested in a new mountain bike, better suited to my riding style and preferences (X-country).
However, before doing that I did what’s called an Enduro race. This is a mountain biking event where racers are only timed on the downhill section they race.
The transition times between downhill stages generally have a time limit to make the transition but are not timed. This particular race ended out being 40 km total distance, with less than 10 km timed (the downhill sections).
Some of the downhill stages were not trails I had ridden before — and for good reason. They scared the shit out of me.
I learned during that event, that I didn’t need to do any more of those types of events. I had one crash and got a mild concussion. I finished the race — No harm, no foul — but did have to take a few weeks pretty easy afterwards.
Later in the summer, I competed in a race more suited to my style — the Canadian Mountain Bike Marathon Championships in Whitehorse, Yukon. I raced as an amateur age grouper and completed the 60 km race.
Another learning opportunity and challenging myself to do something I’d never done before — mountain bike over 60 km in a day. And, better yet, our youngest (13 at the time) decided to do the 30 km event (the day before the race) - and finished 3rd in his age group. 🤯
Here we are at the start line (it was 0 Celsius that morning 🥶)
Cycling Analogy
Imagine you’re conforming strictly to a single type of cycling, like flat-road biking or only downhill mountain biking. While you may become very good at that particular style, your overall cycling ability will remain limited.
Hills, rough terrain, and varying elevations will present significant challenges if you haven’t trained for them.
(Funnily enough, I rarely ride on paved roads and rarely in groups — so when I do, I’m not strong and it feels uncomfortable. I’m doing a ‘road race’ this weekend. It’s a memorial race for a friend who passed away 2 years ago. I’ll most likely need to ride in a group and try to improve on the paved flats…)
Applying to Writing
Conforming strictly to one writing genre, style, or narrative voice limits growth, variation, adaptability and resilience. The same goes for short or long form (a rampant debate these days)
I’m learning that to continue developing as a writer, I need to step out of my comfort zone. Explore different ways of writing, experiment with new styles, and write from various perspectives. This is increasing my versatility but also keeps things a little more fresh and engaging.
One area I’m doing that is in reading more poetry. I’ve often balked at it and recognized my overly ‘analytical’ and literal approach to writing and communicating. Poetry goes about things more obliquely and differently.
I also work on shorter posts on X (Twitter), and medium size posts on LinkedIn.
The Art of Unpredictable and Inconsistent Progress
In my experience, “writing consistently” is pretty empty advice. I do understand some of the value in it — yet, like many things context is key.
In reality, in life, in the universe — things are largely unpredictable. There is a massive universe of things you, or I, or all of us simply don’t know. Leaning into this reality opens doors (and windows) and lets some air flow.
I find some commonalities between my writing and writing routines and biking (for enjoyment) and cycling to train and compete in events.
If I stick to the same route, same terrain, same bike, at the same pace (e.g., do it consistently), I simply won't improve. Riding consistently is a largely empty statement. It needs more gumption and context.
Maybe try using the “Bullshit Early Warning System (BEWS)” or other Bullshit sensing prototypes to test the writing advice you hear and read.
How about you?
Do you push your writing limits?
When did you last try a new form of writing or style?
How do you handle writing in less-than-ideal conditions?
Is your writing routine helping you grow or maybe keeping things stagnant?
Would love to hear your thoughts, comments, answers, and feedback. Drop them in the comments. Feel free to share this with digital streams near all of us.
Stay tuned for the next edition of The Solopreneur Series. In the meantime… ‘write on’ and ‘ride on’.