In the process of learning jiujitsu and working towards your goals, it’s important to prioritize consistency. Consistency is the base of the pyramid when it comes to taking on big challenges, accomplishing an ambitious goal, and embracing a lifelong practice of health and wellness.

Coach Aaron coined a great phrase, “don’t let your intensity surpass your technical ability.” When talking about rolling on the mat. This has been a phrase we use to help students understand the importance of both technique and intensity. While this phrase may not seem related with consistency, it’s an important part of staying consistent on the mat.

Many times, students who only prioritize intensity lack consistency. Intensity can lead to injuries which result in time lost on the mat. Intensity can also lead to the student not able to recover enough to consistently make it to practice. Intensity is a part of the equation but consistency needs to be at the base in working towards a task.

Another way to look at it: If I were to assign you to write a 365 page book, in a day or a week… Many of us would probably fail from the overwhelming intensity it would take to complete. However, if we had an entire year to accomplish the project, writing 1-2 pages everyday, it would be difficult but doable. CONSISTENT action would allows us to finish the task with relative ease. A good way to flip what we are saying: BE INTENSE WITH YOUR CONSISTENCY NOT JUST YOUR INTENSITY.

Consistency might look different for different people. Where you are on the “map” will determine what your consistency looks like. If you eat 3 meals a day for 7 days a week, that’s a total of 21 meals. If you’re looking to eat healthy consistently, then it would be good to look at your total meals and see how many of them are good or bad. Maybe all of your meals are fast food takeouts. Then simply changing breakfast or dinner to home cooked meals might reflect a step in the right direction.

Things to remember when thinking about consistency:

• Focus on the process not the results
• Look at the big picture: 21 meals a week
• Define what consistency means or looks to you
• Be intense with your consistency not just your intensity.