Consistency matters

My last run was brutal - I was out of breath a lot and it might have been a factor of just being exhausted, but I made my regular run and was able to run faster in some of my intervals, but slowed down a LOT during my walking times. I noticed that my pace wasn't consistent throughout my run - it would be a lot faster when I first start, and then slow down. I wondered if I went slower, if I could run longer - although it should, my gut said no. Something to try on my next run. This made me wonder whether consistency, not just in pace of running but also the route that I run, and the time of day that I run, makes a difference in developing this habit of running. I've also noticed that this church that stands in my path has been such a weird source of comfort - thats where I start my run and end - but just seeing it stand there in all its majesty inspires me to start my run and tells me that I'm almost there when I come back.

This made me wonder about consistency in performance during Business School - school work, recruiting, friendships. There is just so much to do over the first year that you are behind on some things almost all the time. Juggling and prioritizing becomes such an important and necessary skill. Throw recruiting into this mix and some interviews are good and some are not depending on your state of mind and it is all part of the game. It definitely affects morale a bit (a lot in some cases). Being consistent with the work you deliver sets certain expectations with teammates/ classmates, but how do you bring consistency when all other conditions are varying at a mile-a-minute? A class that you like but need to put in time (which you never have enough of during business school) combined with classes that you don't like and recruiting and family and extra-curriculars - it is insanity! Weirdly enough, there are still some patterns that emerge - consistently late (but still do your part), consistently absent, consistently inclusive or exclusive. There are also other patterns that define your relationships - people who care and show that they care, people who may be nowhere near you but make an effort to stay in touch, people who drop off the face of the earth when they are no longer near you (propinquity! - I remember something from class), people who can take one look at you and realize something's off. When you go through a rough time (and in two years, there will be a rough time), you realize the importance of consistency.

Bottom Line: Consistency matters (not just in cooking)