When you look at people who practice consistently, the task makes them feel more energized after they leave it—not more drained. It’s similar to completing a workout; you feel completely exhausted because you left it all in the gym, and yet in a strange way you feel stronger and charged up as well. 

When he writes at Marginal Revolution, Tyler Cowen calls fun his competitive advantage.

Big Mike is a general manager at Astor Place Hairstylists, and he paints every day at lunch in a room at the shop. When I interviewed him for my book, he called painting at lunch his favorite part of the day.

When he wrote his 7,000th blog post, Seth Godin highlights, “I write every word. I don’t understand outsourcing something this personal, a privilege this important.”

All of these show consistency as a result of an atelic task—something worth doing for its own sake. While great results may ensue—Marginal Revolution has influenced so many people!—it’s still fueled by a practice of fun and chasing personal curiosity.