Consistency is a good thing and it means doing something regularly, it is of a dependable nature and it is always reliable. Learning how to develop consistency is the greater issue.
Consistency is something abstract, vague that many people desire to achieve, but it is usually gained by only a few people. This does not, however, mean that it is not attainable, what matters is our attitude towards it, i.e., our disposition.
We are what we consistently do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.
Consistency is the key to success or an accomplishment; it is the prerequisite of excellence. Consistency reinforces the visions that you have with your values. It establishes your reputation; by doing the same thing extremely well, you hone a good reputation.
Self-discipline is needed in other to develop consistency: to be consistent in whatever you do, you have to apply yourself to it; it doesn’t come by sitting idly and loafing around.
How then do we develop consistency? Remember, it is not something you can achieve overnight, you have to be committed to doing what you have to do over and over again.
1. SET OUT SPECIFIC TASKS YOU WANT TO BE CONSISTENT IN
By generalizing, it almost impossible to be consistent. When you say”I want to be consistent”, it looks almost impossible, a heinous task that cannot be done. Breaking your task into bits, and being specific about it helps you to achieve your consistency goal.
2. HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE
By holding yourself accountable, you are holding out yourself to be responsible for your actions and the steps you take in achieving your goals.
You may want to be lax in accounting to yourself, it would be helpful if you get someone you can be accountable to; who will not hesitate to call you out when you begin to renege on your goals.
3. PLAN FOR FAILURE
Planning for failure doesn’t mean you want to fail. What if you fail in doing what you have to do or at what you have done?
By planning, you will be able to bring yourself back on track rather than resting in your failure. Be aware that consistency does not equal perfection, hence give yourself some breathing space in case you fail at what you’ve planned to do.
4. STAY MOTIVATED
I must confess, there are days you would want to put an end to been consistent with a task you have to execute.
You might begin to lament about what this consistency is all about. My one advice for you is that you continue.
Keep yourself motivated; when you don’t feel like, just do it.
In times like that, you can divide your task by half. For instance, if you read three hours a day, you could make it one and half hour for that day you don’t feel like.
Keep yourself motivated. Remember! the difference between success and failure is consistency.
5. BEGIN PRACTICING CONSISTENCY NOW
“Realise deeply that the present moment is all that you ever have.”- Echwart Tolle.
If you have not been practising consistency in time past, the best and only time to begin that is NOW!. Don’t push it to another time ‘cos it may never come.
Small daily improvements always lead to exceptional results with time. BE CONSISTENT!