The Power Of Showing Up: Why Consistency Beats Perfection

Consistency matters, but is it hard for you to be consistent? Maybe you’re being too hard on yourself because what you created isn’t perfect. Whatever it is—I get it, I can be hard on myself too when something I created doesn’t turn out the way I imagined. It’s easy to feel like you could’ve done better.

When you’re a creative, your art is a piece of yourself. You’re sharing your vision with the world, and that makes it easy to want it to be perfect. It’s like you’re exposing yourself, flaws and all. You might feel safe showing those sides to the people you love, but to the world? That’s a whole different ball game. What if you get judged?

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Now, I’m not saying you should stop trying or to be careless for the sake of being consistent. You still have to care. You can’t just toss out an underdeveloped music video or design a patchy fashion piece and expect to connect with it.

Quality matters. It’s what builds trust. It’s what creates longevity. It’s what takes you far.

Creativity is like a puzzle, and to complete an aesthetically pleasing puzzle you need all the right pieces. Quality is one of those pieces—it amplifies your longevity. But consistency? That’s another important piece.

Consistency builds trust. It tells your audience that you’ll show up. That you’ll follow through on what you said you would do.

CARRY ON

Have you ever heard the saying, practice makes perfect? I have. And it sounds pretty straightforward, right?

If you said yes, you’re right, it is straightforward. But it’s harmful, too.

For us creatives, we tend to take it literally. We’ll practice something so much, it burns us out. It’s not healthy. If you’ve been reading my blog posts, you know I’ve said it before: this is the reason some of your favorite artists haven’t released that sequel novel or that long-awaited album. They’re striving for “perfect.”

LET IT BE KNOWN

I’m going to keep it real with you: perfect doesn’t exist.

Many are chasing something that was never real to begin with. It’s like chasing an ex who didn’t treat you the way you should’ve been treated. It’s best to let it go.

Will it be hard? Absolutely.

But for your peace, your progress, and your purpose, you have to let it go. You’re searching for something that doesn’t want to be found.

Let’s talk about our friend: consistency. Consistency is healthier than perfection. It is quantity, yes—but to balance it out, you have to have quality.

SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY

Quality and consistency work hand in hand. Yes, you can lack one or the other, but I would advise against it. If you’re trying to be consistent and you tell your audience that something is going to be out on a certain date but it’s delayed, don’t make that a habit; do that unless you want to lose their trust.

When you give your audience a date, make sure it’s realistic and it gives you time to produce quality work. A consumer doesn’t want anything they can’t cherish for years and years to come. And for you as the artist, it makes the process that much more rewarding.

Remember: the real gold is imperfection—that’s what makes it beautiful.