How Elvis helped me see the value of consistency

"Lather, rinse, repeat. Lather, rinse, repeat." That repetition is easy when you're washing your hair--especially with no more than I have now. It's more of a challenge when it involves putting your all on the line with everything you write.

I was reading today about how Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrews (I admit, I gotcha with the headline. Sorry!) had improved his batting average by about 50 points compared to last year. At this writing he's just over .300.

He did it by changing how he attacks pitches. He did it by changing his swing. He did it by doing those things for every pitch of every at bat.

Through around 500 at bats and probably over 1,500 pitches, he's repeated the same approach.

I admit, thinking about this intimidated me a bit. I tend to revel in one success and let down my guard after that, only to get bitten by a three-pitch strikeout on my next effort.

But if ball players can do this kind of thing 2,000 times a year, I can do it a few times a week! I can take the time to put my best out there for every bit of writing I do.

Now you may correctly point out that Mr. Andrews is only successful 3 out of 10 times--and I have to be better than that. Yes, but he's got people throwing him pitches they hope he misses--and he's only successful THAT often by repeating his approach every time. And I don't have any clients throwing me pitches they hope I'll miss--well, there are a couple I suspect of such shenanigans, but I can prove nothing!

Elvis Andrews will have to retire in his 30s. ELVIS died in his 40s. I've already surpassed both of those and still have opportunities to grow and learn my craft every day.

Think I'll appreciate that and get off my duff!