Inconsistency is Good

2-Minute Read

The world values consistency above all else - we think it’s the only route to success.

It’s easy to feel like you’re failing when things don’t go as planned. We are taught that success requires having a plan, and sticking to it. No matter what.

But we think inconsistency can actually be beneficial. Just hear us out.

Inconsistency Doesn’t Equal Failure

One of the biggest mistakes we make is equating inconsistency with failure. Just because you miss a workout or a milestone goal, it doesn’t mean you’re off track. In fact, some of the most significant breakthroughs come when we allow ourselves to step off the hamster wheel of “always on” and let ourselves recover or reflect. It’s important to understand that true failure occurs when you quit altogether, not when you skip a session or shift gears.

We’ll call this strategic inconsistency. Nice right? It’s about knowing when to give yourself a break. It’s a recognition that pushing too hard without proper rest or stepping outside your routine for reflection or recovery doesn’t make you weak—it makes you stronger in the long run. Taking a step back isn’t defeat; it’s recalibration.

Inconsistency Forces Adaptation

We don't get stronger or build endurance doing the same thing over and over. This is old news. But many are also afraid of doing too much - unplanned speed sessions or running more mileage than what was scheduled for a given day. Allow yourself to be inconsistent from time-to-time, and do more when you feel like it - run more, run faster. This needs to be okay in our minds - it's a great way to grow! 

The real benefit of this approach is that you get stronger without even realizing it. Instead of pushing through a rigid schedule that may cause mental burnout, you allow yourself the flexibility to respond to how you’re feeling at any given time. By mixing it up, you keep your training—and your progress—dynamic.

Creativity and New Insights Come from Variation

Incorporating inconsistency into your routine doesn’t just improve your body—it opens the door to new ideas and training techniques. When everything is the same day after day, we can get stuck in a mental rut. The key to breaking free of that cycle is change. Whether it’s experimenting with a new training route, trying a different style of cross-training, or even adjusting your fueling strategy - inconsistency sparks creativity.

Challenging the norm in small, calculated ways often leads to new insights that improve both performance and mindset.

Inconsistency Builds Resilience

Finally, inconsistency builds resilience. Inconsistency can sometimes be challenging for the mind. If every day is the same, there is little to think about. With the introduction of inconsistency in your training, recovery, nutrition strategy, etc. we learn far more, and we grow resilient through our variety.

When things change, you learn to adjust, stay present, and face challenges head-on. Over time, this ability to roll with the punches strengthens you, making it easier to deal with the inevitable reality that things do not always go according to plan.

Wrap It Up

The key to long-term success is finding balance. We should all understand that consistency is important, but also know that inconsistency is okay. If it is simply up to us whether or not we view moments of inconsistency as good, or bad, then why not take the positive mindset? If inconsistency is a reality, and here to stay (which it is), we’ll all be better off appreciating it’s benefits.

And with this mindset, we can build a routine we love and train consistently (and sometimes inconsistency). This is how we build passion.