Latest news with #consistency
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Back to drawing board for Popyrin in Paris anti-climax
Alexei Popyrin admits it's back to the drawing board in the search for big-time tennis consistency after his encouraging French Open week ended in anti-climax with a chastening lesson at the hands of American iron man Tommy Paul. The last Australian man standing at Roland Garros wasn't about to hide his disappointment after the crushing 6-3 6-3 6-3 hammering by No.12 seed Paul but Popyrin could at least be enthused about a run which took him to the last-16 again, his best Paris outing yet. But after admitting he'd ended his tournament feeling "mentally fried" while Paul, even after two back-to-back draining five-setters, still looked as fresh as a daisy, Australia's No.2 reckoned he would be back feverishly working with his team to discover the match-by-match consistency that still eludes him. Tremendous in his third-round win over Nuno Borges, this time Popyrin was mistake-riddled, coughing up 37 unforced errors and wild on the forehand while his backhand, which he's reworked successfully under new co-coach Wayne Ferreira, completely misfired. "I'm definitely happy with my week's work, just disappointed with the way it ended," shrugged the 25-year-old Sydneysider. "Look, if I lost this match and I played good tennis then, then I would have been sufficed and happy, but I lost and didn't play my best, really didn't do what I wanted to do, what I've been what I've been banging on about all week, consistency. "There was no consistency today, it was a very, very up-and-down match. And it was just not the way I planned for it." Outplayed in all departments, it felt like a huge let down for the 25th seed who had been hoping to go at least one round further than last year's US Open when he downed Novak Djokovic before falling in the last-16 to Frances Tiafoe. His exit in nine minutes under two hours meant Daria Kasatkina, in her first slam since gaining permanent residency, is now the last Australian standing, as she faces Russian teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva in Monday's last-16 women's clash. 👊👊👊 for winners!#RolandGarros — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2025 Popyrin had harboured high hopes after not dropping a set in his first three contests, and all started swimmingly as he broke the 28-year-old Paul in the opening game. Alas, that was as good as it got for him. The American, renowned for his toughness, saved the rest of the 10 break points he faced throughout, never allowing the Australian to gain a foothold. "He just played a tactically spot-on match. If you want to beat me, that's the way to play. He managed to break down my backhand somehow and we're gonna have to go back watch that and figure out why, and then we'll work on it," sighed Popyrin. "He played really, really well, I didn't bring my best level, but I still had chances in the first and second sets ... but he played a great match." Any chance of a comeback was soon extinguished when Paul, for a third set running, struck with an early break, and Popyrin cut a forlorn figure by the time a 26th Paul winner flashed by him on the final point. He's the first American man in the quarter-finals here since Andre Agassi in 2003 and Popyrin feels Paul is a live contender as he plays either compatriot Ben Shelton or the reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarters. As for his own progress, he's encouraged about getting on to the grass which, in theory at least, should aid his big weapons.
New York Times
5 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Best Practices
Every app I use is trying to get me to start a streak. My Kindle praises me when I read a few days in a row. The New York Times Games app gives me gold stars if I do the crossword puzzle every morning. The clothing resale site Poshmark offers me a vague promise of 'rewards' if I keep listing my old pants at a regular cadence. I like to think of myself as a person who can't be swayed by shallow blandishments, but I am attracted to these incentives. I'm a pleaser. If there's a good grade to be gotten, I want the A. In her recent Times story about the benefits of streaks, Nell McShane Wulfhart humbly admits that she has run at least a mile a day for seven years and counting. I read this with a combination of awe and self-recrimination. She even ran her mile when she had Covid! She once ran it naked in a hotel room! This commitment to consistency and fitness seems noble, almost heroic. What am I doing with my life (besides selling my old pants)? Well, I am flossing my teeth. I haven't flossed every single day for seven years, but I have flossed every day since the last time I went to the dentist, which was several months ago, and the pride I feel in this streak is completely out of proportion with the size of the achievement. I wouldn't dare miss a day at this point, not because I'm worried about tartar buildup, but because of how wildly good it feels, at the end of even the worst day, to be able to say, 'Well, at least I have my flossing streak.' I'm aware this sounds pathetic, but it works for me. Once you're on a roll, each day that you add to your streak feels like a prize, an economist told Wulfhart. Of course you want to continue — there's so little in life that offers regular, guaranteed wins. Then there's the loss-aversion motivator: 'Research shows that once you're on a streak, the fear of losing it is stronger than the motivating power of just gaining another day,' Wulfhart writes. Yes, it feels good to tick off another day of flossing, but the idea of losing my months of perfect performance, the disappointment I'd feel in myself if I went back to being a mere mortal with no special dental regimen, keeps me at it. We learn to love streaks as children, when good habits are gamified and there's no feeling so pleasurable as seeing the accumulation of metallic star stickers on a chart. Do we ever outgrow this? It's tempting to observe the patterns of one's life and think, Where might I start a streak? You're looking for things you're already doing that you could continue to do regularly. You're actively identifying things you can do that will make you proud of you. Streaks are really just rituals dressed up in the language of self-optimization. A meditation streak is the same as a meditation practice, only with different framing. Whether we call the activity a streak or a practice, a ritual or a ceremony, it's serving a similar purpose: adding structure, purpose, predictability, meaning to our days. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Cracks In America's Brand Are Starting To Show
Cracks in Statue of Liberty A brand is a promise delivered consistently. In a world overloaded with choice, brands simplify decisions by offering something rare: certainty. We trust the Apple brand because it shows up the same way whenever you buy an iPhone or walk into a store. That consistency builds confidence. It builds brand. America's brand was built on a similar foundation: clear values, consistent behavior, and trust earned over time. But that foundation is starting to crack. America's critical brand audiences include: Unlike a corporate brand, America's brand doesn't answer to a single audience. It must deliver for all of them at home and abroad. That makes consistency not just important, but essential. As Scott Galloway, NYU Stern Professor of Marketing and co-host of the Pivot podcast, astutely observed, "Brand America isn't just about recognition; it's earned meaning. It's the reason investors trust us, talent comes here, and brands built in the U.S. carry more global weight than they might otherwise deserve." And increasingly, audiences are losing trust. Our behavior has grown unpredictable. Our actions often contradict our stated values. We're seeing early warning signals in the markets, with Moody's recent adjustment to the U.S. credit outlook reflecting growing concern about fiscal governance. Similarly, tourism forecasts suggesting America will attract fewer international visitors this summer than competing destinations point to subtle shifts in global perception. These may seem like minor indicators, but brand experts know they're often the first cracks that appear before more serious erosion begins. When consistency falters, even the most iconic brands suffer. Brand leaders know this well: brands aren't built on mission statements or slogans. They're built through consistent experiences, repeated over time. When a brand walks its talk, trust grows. When it doesn't trust, brand equity unravels. As Warren Buffett famously said, "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it." The lesson for nations is the same as it is for companies: deliver on your promises or risk losing everything you've built. For decades, America's brand has been anchored in values of freedom, opportunity, innovation, the rule of law, and global leadership. As Theodore Sorensen put it, these are "not luxuries but necessities, the bread itself." When we uphold them, our brand strengthens. When we fall short, it erodes. President Truman captured the spirit behind the brand: "America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand." That mindset built our reputation. It's what must carry us forward. America has benefited from what is arguably the strongest brand in the world. But if there's one hard truth from the world of branding, it's this: being great does not guarantee you'll stay great. Many once-great brands have lost relevance not because they were misunderstood, but because they failed to deliver on their promises. The same risk applies here. If America wants to remain the world's most valuable and trusted brand, it must recommit to the values that built that trust in the first place and consistently live them every day.
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Crawley says Madge ‘has to change'
RLG: Michael Maguire has been in the spotlight with Brisbane's ongoing consistency issues, with Paul Crawley questions whether he needs to change his methods.
CNET
11-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Want That Summer Body? Ditch These 6 Habits Now
Summer's right around the corner, and if you've been putting in the work to lose weight but aren't seeing the results you hoped for, it's OK to feel frustrated. Social media can make it look like dropping 30 pounds happens overnight, but real, lasting weight loss takes time, patience and a whole lot of consistency. It's totally normal to hit a wall or feel like your progress has stalled. But that doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. Whether you're focusing on nutrition, getting more movement in or taking care of your mental health, you're still moving forward. To help you stay on track, here are a few common habits that might be holding you back -- and how to fix them. Read more: 6 Wellness and Fitness TikTok Trends Experts Want to 'De-Influence' 1. Thinking in the short term Everything on this list is somewhat of a hard truth, but this is often the hardest to accept (and change). If you approach weight loss with a short-term attitude, you may not make it anywhere except on the yo-yo diet train. Without a long-term approach to weight loss, you may lose 10 or more pounds in two weeks and then suffer a rebound when you discover that regimen wasn't working for you. This is all too common when people embark on strict diets such as keto or paleo, or fad diets that promise rapid weight loss. In reality, for most people, a well-balanced diet that includes all food groups and even some treats works best in the long run. Part of successful, sustainable weight loss — losing the weight and keeping it off for good — is understanding that fad diets, excessive exercise and "detoxes" don't usually work. They last only as long as your willpower lasts, and I'm willing to bet that's not more than two weeks to a couple of months. Despite what the wellness industry might have you believe, there are no quick fixes, miracle cures or magic pills when it comes to weight loss. Losing weight requires dedication to a plan that supports long-term healthy habits. The general recommendation for weight loss is a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per week, although initial weight loss might surpass that for people who are very overweight and then slow down to the suggested 1 to 2 pounds per week. Studies have shown this to be an effective way to lose weight without losing too much water or lean tissue and to avoid a rebound. Overcoming an all-or-nothing mindset promotes long-term weight loss.2. The all-or-nothing mindset Many people who struggle with a short-term attitude also struggle with an all-or-nothing mindset. I began my health and fitness journey with this mindset. I cut out all processed foods: no bread, no pasta, no milk, no cheese and no individually wrapped snacks. I basically existed on chicken, vegetables and berries. This was great until it wasn't, and I ended up on a CVS run for all the chocolate and Goldfish I could hold in two hands. Then, because I'd "ruined" my diet, I would eat as much as I could physically handle, because, "Why not? I already ruined it." Then I'd feel bad about the snacks I ate and return to my overly restrictive regimen the next day. This is a destructive cycle to be in, but it's something I see all the time with personal training clients. An all-or-nothing mindset can keep you in a perpetual cycle of lose-gain-lose, not to mention shame and guilt around food. This all-or-nothing concept applies to fitness too: If you've been doing the most effective workouts to get in shape in the least amount of time left and right but don't feel fitter or stronger, you might be doing too much. Toning it down could, counterintuitively, be the answer to improving your fitness (and playing the long game). A supportive community, in real life or online, can keep you motivated to lose weight and stay fit.3. Believing you can do it all on your own Supportive friends, family members and significant others are critical to successful weight loss. If I were asked to cite the most common reason for not sticking to a healthy diet from my past personal training clients, I would say stigma. That's right. As silly as it sounds, people really do get made fun of for eating healthy, especially in regions where food is an integral part of the culture. Growing up in southern Louisiana near New Orleans, I experienced this very often when I decided I was making changes to my diet. At family gatherings and social outings, I'd get comments like, "That's all you're eating?" or, "You're really not going to eat any dessert?" or, laden with sarcasm, "Next time we'll have a salad potluck." It's not fun to be ridiculed or scoffed at, especially for things you care about (like your health!), so it can be very easy to fall into a trap of eating and drinking for the sake of your social life. This is why a solid support system is key to long-term weight loss. Without it, the journey can feel lonely and intimidating. If you currently feel you lack a support system, try having open conversations with your friends, family and partner about it. You can make it clear that they don't have to change their eating habits if they don't want to but that your health means a lot to you, and you'd appreciate it if they didn't mock or downplay your hard work. If an IRL support system isn't working out, turn to online communities that promote both health and body positivity. I really love Flex and Flow on Instagram, Health At Every Size and the Intuitive Eating Community. These communities emphasize health without emphasizing weight, which is helpful because when you focus on health outcomes, you'll reach your happy weight with ease. Reddit also has a great forum (/r/loseit) where you'll find lots of real-life stories about weight loss. Exercise is important for an overall healthy lifestyle, but it's hard to lose weight from exercise alone.4. Exercise conquers it all theory If you're at all attuned to the wellness industry, you'll know this saying: "Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym." Even if your goals don't include a shredded stomach, the adage is still relevant. You just can't out-exercise a poor diet. Exercise should be part of your overall approach to weight loss because it's proven to aid weight loss (not to mention its long list of other health benefits), but it's difficult to lose weight from exercise alone. Many people overestimate the number of calories they can burn from their workouts. I's typically a lot less than you think and far less than the calories your body burns at rest during the day just maintaining your current physique. For example, a 154-pound man will burn fewer than 450 calories during an intense, hour-long weightlifting workout. You can easily cancel that effort out if you don't pay any attention to your diet. The exact number of calories you burn during exercise depends on many factors, including your current weight, the intensity of the activity, the length of the workout, your age and your body composition. Plus, focusing on only exercise can lead to a destructive cycle of exercising extra to burn off calories you feel you shouldn't have eaten. Or you may end up feeling like you need to "earn" your calories through exercise. Either way, taking this approach can lead to a strained relationship with food and exercise, as well as stalled weight loss. Some people, such as those who have spent years putting on muscle mass, can eat lots of calorie-dense food and not gain weight because muscle burns more calories at rest. Even if you can eat whatever you want and lose or maintain your weight, that doesn't mean it's healthy for you. A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins and some whole grains will serve you best in terms of sustainable weight loss and health. Combined with a consistent exercise routine, you'll experience sustained weight loss and weight maintenance once you reach your goal weight. Chronic stress and sleep deprivation can hinder weight loss progress. Getty Images 5. Your sleep and stress levels don't matter Losing weight will be much harder if you're chronically stressed, sleep-deprived or overworked. This scenario may sound familiar to you: You wake up motivated interval run A few hours into the day, your lack of sleep catches up with you. You reach for the afternoon coffee By the time work is over, you're way too drained to go for that run. You decide to skip it. You're tired and maybe a little stressed or moody, so you nix the healthy dinner and hit a drive-through instead, because you want comfort food. This is fine if it happens occasionally (everyone deserves a lazy evening every once in a while), but weight loss will seem impossible if this happens all the time. The truth is that nutrition and exercise are only two components of a healthy life that can lead to weight loss. While important, too strong of a focus on nutrition and exercise can cause you to overlook other factors that are just as important: sleep and stress management. Supplements will not work unless you do. Basak6. Supplements will do all the heavy lifting I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that fat burner supplement in your medicine cabinet isn't going to do the work for you. Certain supplements may help you reach your weight loss goals, but you have to work to make your supplements work. For example, incorporating a daily protein shake in the mornings can help you feel fuller throughout the day, which may help keep cravings at bay. Increased protein intake can also help you build muscle, which aids in body recomposition. Certain weight-loss supplements do have some evidence backing them, but no supplements are proven like the method that no one wants to take: eat fewer calories than you burn.
