What Is Your Aim?
In Andy Weir’s novel-turned-film The Martian, audiences bear witness to the main character completely defying the odds of surviving alone on Mars by way of feats that plenty would be hard pressed to achieve on earth (building a self-sustaining garden, rationing out meals so as to minimally sustain oneself for an unforeseen period of time, and so on), all while employing a level of science and engineering genius that far surpasses average intelligence.
What's significant about this story (beyond its core compelling plot of survival on a not-completely-inhabitable planet), is its depiction of the human spirit—of determined resilience in the face of bleakness. When a certain end result is an absolute and utter necessity, the depth of capability is revealed.
The hyperbolic nature of survival scenarios needn't diminish the broader revelation they often serve to illuminate: the undeniable role played by necessity in everything we do.
Similar to the degrees to which we pursue excellence, action, both in specificity and intensity, corresponds to perceived necessity. One need only compare the hobbyist and the professional to see this. The professional guitarist’s livelihood depends on his dedication to practicing, improving, and securing gigs.
The hobbyist knows no such pressure; a pursuit fueled by nothing other than his own autotelic interest in honing the craft, nothing overtly critical to his livelihood is risked by him taking a weekend off. What this example demonstrates is why we don't do many of the things we say we'd like to: The stakes are not high enough to impel consistency in the absence of external pressures, and the alternative is often easier and immediately gratifying.
Marcus Aurelius illuminates the antidote to inconsistency when he implores that one "must never act without a definite aim.” Our aim can be as simple as the enrichment derived from the act, the mental or physical health we know it may enable, or so on. When our intention is unclear, our commitment is unsteady.
A clearly defined, personally-compelling intent enables consistency of action. Define and act accordingly.
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