You’ll often hear people say, “Quality Over Quantity” with regard to practicing a skill.
Yes, it may be better to do something well on a lower frequency basis than it is to do something terribly, very often.
Quality matters greatly, but quantity shouldn’t be ignored.
Here’s an alternative perspective.
Consistency Over Perfection
Alright, this may not sound as catchy, but you get the idea.
Yes, quality matters.
The quality of your work, your voice, your reps, all of it…
It matters.
But if you become obsessed with quality to such a degree that you seek perfectionism, that which keeps you from actually putting in the repetitions, there may be a problem.
Imagine wanting to improve your push up.
Yes, doing tons of poor reps will only hurt your progress and your joints.
But doing the world’s most beautiful, powerful and perfect set of push ups just one time will not do you much good, unless, it’s to show off for your Instagram feed.
Try this approach
Focus on consistency.
What you wish to improve does not need to be intense every single time (Every set of push ups shouldn’t be taken to arm-trembling, gut-busting fatigue.)
What you wish to improve does not need to be perfect to the point of compulsive neuroticism.
But it does need to be consistent.
100 very good push ups done every other day will likely serve you better than 100 “perfect” push ups done once a week.
Additionally, 100 very good push ups done every other day will likely serve you better than doing 1,000 a day.
Of course this is just one example and it always depends on your goal, your body and your “why.”
The takeaway is this.
Quality matters, but perfect doesn’t exist.
Quantity matters, but you can overdo it.
Good enough quality will turn into great quality as long as you’re working to improve it.
That done consistently, wins.