⭑ How to balance consistency, identity and outcomes
⭑ My wife says I'm stubborn, I say I'm consistent - what do you say?

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Hello,

I trust you are well and active.

This week's newsletter is abbreviated due to, as they say, circumstances (at least half) beyond my control.

This got me thinking about how I balance consistency, identity and outcomes.
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Today was panning out well. I went for a 6km run this morning, then took Steve to the coffee shop, made a (real) chicken and quinoa soup for lunch, and was mapping out the 3 plus/minus one hour I usually take to write this newsletter when the phone rang.

My daughter had apparently lost her airpods charging case on a bus.
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We tracked the airpod case moving while she waited for the bus to come by on its return leg. Then things became strange. The case located itself at a house. My wife and I drove 20 minutes towards the house with me detailed to knock on the front door. But before we got there the location changed. My daughter called to say the bus had returned but there was only her outer cover in the bus and not the actual charging case.
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Three hours later we gave up, we chased the location down streets and though a large suburban shopping area, asked a couple of "suspects" when the location suggested they may be the ones, all to no avail.

So what has this to do with consistency etc?
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//

My wife says I am stubborn. I honestly believe that I am quite flexible but I try to stick with things and be consistent. We're probably both right.
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Right at the moment I am trying to consistently be in bed by 9 pm.

The key reason is that I have taken up a role as Head of AI for a company. This is the first and last time I'll ever be "Head of AI" so I have some of my identity tied up with the role, and I also have to produce outcomes for the company.
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The full realisation that I'm getting older has been brought home to me by how my brain becomes fuzzy - worn out - by the end of the day. I really need to focus on sleep and recovery every day.

So. After coming back from the fruitless search for the airpod charger, and taking Steve for a walk in the park, there were less than 3 hours left before 9 pm.

And I go for a 5 km walk every night which means leaving before 8 pm.

Not enough time for a "usual" newsletter.

//

This is an example of where consistency, identity, and outcomes collide.

• Identity: I’ve just taken on Head of AI. First and last time I’ll wear that badge, so part of who I am is tied to showing up clear-headed and effective.
• Outcomes: Deliver for the company and my own healthspan. My brain fades late; sleep and recovery aren’t luxuries—they’re performance multipliers.
• Consistency: Not stubbornly doing the same thing, but reliably doing something aligned with the goal, even when the plan changes.

How can you apply this to your exercise routine?

Here are some ideas, blending consistency and outcomes:

• Choose your driver: identity, outcomes, or enjoyment. Don’t wait for motivation; pick the lever that works tonight.
• Use a two-track plan:
  • Plan A (ideal): your full session (e.g., 45 minutes strength + walk).
  • Plan B (minimum viable): 15–20 minutes at home (step-ups, carries, push/pull) or a brisk walk. If Plan A breaks, Plan B protects the streak.
• Make it non-negotiable: fixed time, prepped clothes, minimal decisions. Treat movement like brushing your teeth.
• Track show-ups, not heroics: aim for most days with some movement; a calendar tick is enough.
• Respect constraints: arthritis or replacements? Prioritise water work, controlled machines, slow eccentrics, and balance drills. Safety beats intensity.
• Reduce friction: audiobooks/podcasts on the treadmill, “geezer hours” at the gym, trainer appointments, or simply the dog’s pleading eyes.
  ​

The bottom line

Stubbornness clings to the original plan. Consistency protects the goal. Identity sets the standard, outcomes keep you honest, and flexible design gets you across the line—especially when the AirPods go missing and the day goes sideways.

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Thanks for reading!

>> My Latest Blog Post: Energise Your Golden Years: Boosting Your Desire to Exercise with Gut-Healthy Foods

About the newsletter: Do you think it can be improved? Have a story idea? Want to share about the time you met Chris Hemsworth, or your questions about how to live longer better? Send those thoughts and more to me at walter@walteradamson.com

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