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FullVinceMode t1_j7ygbuv wrote

Ironically the left image is much more how progress actually happens, with consistent effort

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kuhkuhkuhK8 t1_j7zj00g wrote

I had the same thought, and then thought there should be a third 'curve' labeled "Actual Progress" that combines these two. The spots where effort goes down could still drop off, but the climbs back up would be tiny staircases. Being relatively more consistent overall is what matters.

Hills happen; one step at a time.

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Original-Ad-4642 t1_j7z1uu3 wrote

Feeling that right now. That’s okay. I’ll just keep working consistently and learning from the setbacks.

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BusNumber_11 t1_j7zlteo wrote

More power to you, learning from setbacks is key to success

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Word_Terrible t1_j7zk5mh wrote

As a late-onset and not very good triathlete, I can verify that the picture on the right is not useful as a goal to aspire to. Yes, some things in life work like the picture on the right. But, as you say, the picture on the left is far more common and usually it's not our choice, as others have pointed out.

If there's a lesson, it's to encourage the person on the left. Are they frustrated? It appears so. Have they given up? Clearly not. Maybe they need to change their plan of attack. Maybe they can get some help. But it's more admirable in my opinion to persist in the face of adversity than when your efforts are consistently rewarded.

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Eco_Chamber t1_j7zq4n7 wrote

Consistent effort is important to change. Habits aren’t really habits without that.

Progress is a consequence of that, and it’s a lot less consistent. You try and fail and find new and better ways of getting progress for the effort you put in.

The key is that progress doesn’t come without effort. Sometimes it doesn’t come with effort, but never without. And that’s ok. Progress is not as predictable.

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MalteseGyrfalcon t1_j80xly6 wrote

Yeah I’m about done with the posts here.

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Dornith t1_j80xxc2 wrote

It's starting to feel a lot less like motivation and a lot more like gatekeeping and missetting expectations.

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[deleted] t1_j81citx wrote

[deleted]

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FullVinceMode t1_j81cv0g wrote

Yeah it's actually just poorly drawn overall. I mean, at least make it so the left side isn't as high up on the Y axis as the right side.

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Antzus t1_j83alfi wrote

I have to agree. To me this diagram (if we accept the right side is just an unattainable ideal) shows the importance of remaining flexible with our goals, lest a random set-back leaves us stuck somewhere beyond our ability.

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Moosetappropriate t1_j80c6xm wrote

Yes. I was going to point that out. You can be perfectly consistent but you don’t control all the external variables.

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bacteriarealite t1_j81snqm wrote

Yea I feel like the more motivating image would be to show both people at the end showing how both consistent and inconsistent efforts can get you to the same goal

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