Consistency

In mechanics, if an object does not move over time it is said to be in equilibrium. There are three different types of equilibrium: stable, neutral, and unstable. Stable equilibrium means if you move it then it will return to its original spot, like a swing. Neutral equilibrium means if you move it then it will stay where you move it, like rolling a ball a quarter turn on flat ground. Finally, unstable equilibrium means if you move it then it will continue to move away from its equilibrium point, like tipping over a domino.  Today I will explain why I feel success is an unstable equilibrium, give examples of such, and explain why this makes consistency a crucial trait.

This thought started when I noticed several positive feedback loops in my life. More specifically, I saw how my life was quickly impacted when one of these loops was broken. The first I noticed is the following:

When I get good sleep, I have more energy the following day, and when that’s the case I tend to exercise more vigorously that day, which in turn makes me fall asleep fast and get good sleep the following night, continuing the cycle. In my time as a college student, this cycle would be broken when I would go home because I would have trouble sleeping in my old bed (I was a rare college student who never once missed his bed while at school; my school beds were more comfortable). I would then be a bum the next day and it would become tough to break the trend.

                Many of the cycles I’ve noticed are interconnected. Here are some of the most prominent, the last one being the granddaddy of them all:

The keys to these cycles are being healthy, friendly, and low-stress. When you are in this state, it is easy to do the things that produce such a state. However, because of the interconnectedness of these cycles, if just one is broken, several cycles can end up broken, leaving you in an unmotivated, unpleasant state. That is why I say success is an unstable equilibrium – venture from the equilibrium by a little and that trend will continue. No matter how you define your success, I’m sure at least one of the critical traits to achieving it is represented in these cycles.

                The best way to maintain success based on this philosophy is to be consistent in those actions that allow the cycles to persist. Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise, focus on your work, be friendly, etc. Breaking a cycle certainly doesn’t mean you will never get back to that equilibrium – there will always be rough patches no matter what you do – but it will certainly be harder to do so than to have never lost your equilibrium. Good habits also tend to lead to other good habits, further suggesting that consistently practicing good habits like going to bed on time and exercising is the starting block for effectively achieving goals.