Why Consistency Trumps Talent When Learning Something New

In the age of instant gratification, we tend to focus on the outcome only. When we encounter a successful digital creator, we see his result. Clean lines, high-quality look, or the article which got viral attention – it is very easy to admire them and think that they possess a natural talent for that kind of stuff.

However, there is a hidden mountain of mistakes and failed attempts behind every stunning portfolio.

Recently, I have been working hard on developing new skills in creating digital assets. Naturally, there is always this period of time during which one's first attempts do not meet the standards one expects from himself. The disappointment in oneself makes people want to stop working on something.

At first, I believed that it was necessary to spend a lot of time at once in order to achieve some success. Intensive practice of something for eight hours on weekends seemed a good strategy to me. However, I have wasted a lot of energy using it.

Now, I change my strategy and focus on the consistency rather than intensive work. Thirty or forty minutes spent on something every day is much more productive than a big session during a weekend.

It helps to establish a routine which is crucial for any kind of activity. When you perform something regularly, you get rid of the feeling of fear of starting something. Every day you understand that today's work may be bad, but it helps to improve the future work of tomorrow.

If you are trying to learn something new or develop an asset business: forget about waiting for a perfect occasion or the moment when you will be "good enough". The key is not in the talent but in the ability to start when you do not feel like doing it.

How do you keep yourself consistent in your attempts when the excitement ends?