Stop "Showing Up" and Start Showing Results

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Why Consistency Fails Without Personalization

"You want change? Then show up."—I see that push every day as a coach, and I'm calling BS. The "showing up is 80% of success" line sounds great on Instagram, but it's missing the real deal. Here's why this advice falls flat and how to discover what actually works for YOU.

The Myth of "Just Showing Up"

We've all heard it: Consistency is key. Show up daily and success follows. But here's the uncomfortable truth—how you show up matters more than the fact that you showed up at all.

It's like having ingredients for a meal but no recipe. You can keep tossing those ingredients together day after day, but without the right process, you'll never create the dish you want.

Consider two people beginning a fitness journey:

Person A thrives with group accountability and high-intensity workouts. They succeed with morning classes and public goal-setting.

Person B shows up with equal consistency and dedication but keeps getting injured or sick.

The same approach that works for Person A is actually counterproductive for Person B, who might need gradual progression, different recovery protocols, or a completely different exercise modality.

Same consistency, dramatically different outcomes. Consistency is just the starting line—finding your personal fit is the whole race.

Change Isn't One-Size-Fits-All

Your personal formula includes:

  • Your physiology: How your unique body responds to different inputs
  • Your psychology: What motivates you vs. what triggers resistance
  • Your past experiences: Patterns of what's worked or failed before
  • Your life context: The reality of your time, resources, and support systems
  • Your learning style: How you best absorb and implement new information

Skip this personalization, and you're forcing that proverbial square peg into a round hole—with frustration and failure as the predictable result.

So How Do You Crack Your Personal Code?

Try this framework:

1. Mindful Self-Assessment

  • When have you successfully made lasting changes before? What conditions made it click?
  • What patterns do you notice in your setbacks? What physical, emotional, or external triggers consistently trip you up?
  • What energizes you versus what depletes you? Are you trying to force yourself into someone else's template?

2. Experimentation With Intention

  • Test one variable at a time—start small
  • Document everything: how you feel, what works, what doesn't
  • Measure beyond the obvious—track energy levels, sustainability, and yes, even enjoyment
  • Adjust quickly—give approaches a fair shot, but don't cling to what's clearly failing

3. Build Your Feedback Loop

  • Regular check-ins: Is this sustainable for my current life?
  • Honest evaluation: Am I energized or drained after doing this?
  • Micro-adjustments: What small shift could make this fit me better?

If you're struggling with fitness consistency:

  • Test different workout times to find your energy sweet spot
  • Experiment with recovery techniques (More sleep? Different nutrition? Active rest days?)
  • Notice how life stress affects your physical resilience
  • Explore different movement styles—maybe you need dance instead of weightlifting, or hiking instead of HIIT

The Truth About Transformation

True transformation doesn't come from blindly copying someone else's success formula or just "showing up" day after day. It comes from deeply knowing yourself and crafting a personalized path that fits your unique wiring.

Stop settling for the generic noise of consistency advice. Start the more rewarding work of unlocking what actually works for YOU.