I've seen so many posts discussing success. Posts listing the ways to get more viewers, more likes, more followers, etc. I'm sure you've seen many of them too. A lot of the stories are helpful. I can't help but click on them once in a while, curious to see if I'll find any new advice.

The most reoccurring advice I've read in these posts is the principle of consistent posting. The heavy word of productivity.

Most writers recommend posting everyday or at least every second day. Which is great advice. Their arguments and rationals make sense.

Their words and success stories encourage me to try to post more consistently. They make it look so easy.

And some weeks it is easy. Some weeks, I can post every day and sometimes even multiple posts a day. But then... other times I look at my published stories and am shocked to find out that I haven't posted in almost two weeks. Some weeks, I can't even begin to imagine how I would manage to post every day.

I chastised myself about this. I get discouraged.

"Consistency is key", they say.

How can I achieve any level of success without maintaining this one simplepiece of advice?

What do I do if I consistently procrastinate?

What do I do if the only thing consistent about my writing is the inconsistency?

These questions used to stress me out. I shrank under the burning urgency of addressing them.

What could I do to be more productive?

What steps could I take to write faster?

What could I do to keep up with other creators?

There's nothing really left to do... I've grown to learn what works best for me. While there's still much room for learning, I have a good understanding of my habits.

I think I've spent so long following successful people's advice, that I forgot that I was my own person. I'm not saying that these people's advice was useless. They've been very helpful, but it's unrealistic to hold yourself up to someone else's standards.

We all work at different paces. We all work better in different environments.

And I've realized that the times that I find myself most productive, are the times that I feel no pressure. No pressure of consistency or productivity. Times that I'm mentally an physically well. Times that I don't focus on the end product. Times that I sit down and write with the intention of creation but most of all the intention of pleasure.

I'm not suggesting that you throw consistency out the door.

I'm not saying that you're stats might not decrease if you post less. Because they probably will.

Consistency truly is a very big predictor of success on Medium (let's remember that we all have different definitions of success).

I'm not disagreeing with all those posts that preach consistency.

All I ask is that you remember to not get lost in the chase of productivity. While routine and time frame setting are important, when you try to force yourself to write, you lose a little bit of the passion that got you started. You lose a little bit of the love you have for the craft, and might grow a feeling of resentment.

Do try to be consistent. Identity the ways in which you procrastinate. If you're like me, that might mean spending a little less time on TikTok, or less time staring at a blank screen and complaining about my lack of ideas.

Create some sort of writing schedule, make time to write. Make a list of goals. Push yourself to reach your maximal potential. Explore the means and environments that make your writing flourish.

But remember that it's okay if you're not always consistent.

Don't be too hard on yourself, if you haven't been posting as much as you'd like. Give your creativity the time and space it needs, and that productivity you search will come naturally (with some hard work in the mix, of course).