You Got Consistency All Wrong. Learn How To Do It Right.

Discover how you can get consistency done right to get your planning going to live balanced and stress-free.

For my first webinar on Facebook Live, I decided to let my followers choose the topic. I created a survey on Twitter and let them pick the option that stressed them out the most in terms of planning.

I have to admit that consistency didn’t come as a surprise.

The struggle with consistency

Consistency is a frequent struggle in planning and in habit change.

It’s when you do everything right in the beginning, but you can’t hold to your schedule.

Resolutioners know everything about it!

While it doesn’t seem so bad at first, after various attempts (and failures), motivation starts to drop significantly.

Sometimes, it reaches a point when people not only give up their goals, but they begin to have doubts about themselves in general.

Self-doubt can ruin your life without you even noticing it.

We have already seen how the lack of discipline leads you to fail in planning. Today, we’ll take a deeper look into consistency.

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The importance of consistency

Consistency is key to success in life and in business.

According to Eric Hoytzclaw, consistency:

• Allows for measurement.
• Creates accountability.
• Establishes your reputation.
• Makes you relevant.
• Maintains your message.

Even though his focus is in business, these rules also apply to planning.

In my free email course, I dedicate one day to measurement. It has changed my life and I’m sure it’ll change yours too.

When you’re consistent with your plan, as a result, it’s much easier to evaluate your success and discover areas of improvement.

In other words, while it might be challenging, you still have to invest in becoming consistent with your planning. Both preparation and execution!

The solution to consistency

Before we start looking into solving your struggle with consistency, let me drop a bomb here:

There’s no magical pill for consistency.

If you aren’t accustomed to sit down and plan your days in advance, it’s not going to feel natural when you start. You may even have to force yourself here and there until it becomes automatic.

Until then, however, there are 4 truths you have to keep in mind about consistency:

• It only works unless you do.
• It’s not going to be perfect.
• It’s not meant to beat you up.
• It’s about repetition.

It only works unless you do

You get started, make a fantastic plan and you’re ready to change your schedule to be more productive! Now you’ll have to follow the plan.

When choosing the best planning system for you, make sure it’s accessible to you at all times.

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It’s not going to be perfect

You have to understand that there’s no perfect planning. Therefore, you need to accept changes in your schedule every once and awhile. But that’s OK!

It’s not because your energy level is down; because your kid got sick; or because you got a last-minute assignment that you’ll never ever be able to develop the habit of having a consistent plan. 

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It’s not meant to beat you up

It’s going to be challenging to stay consistent in the beginning. That’s how it goes for everyone, whether or not they like planning.

So instead of feeling guilty and allowing negative thoughts to take over, simply let it go.

Tomorrow is another day and another opportunity to rock your schedule!

Consistent planning leads you to a balanced and stress-free life.

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It’s about repetition

I have said it before:

Success comes from crossing things off a list, not by listing them.

You plan, but unless you execute your plan, it was for nothing. And it must be a continuous effort.

It’s easy to be consistent when everything goes right:

• no delays
• no interruptions
• no changes

But from the start, you must realize you’ll have to keep it up, for as long as it takes, no matter what.

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Consistency done right

Consistency is related to how you feel.

While discipline is what takes you out of bed early in the morning to go for a workout, consistency is when you are awake before the alarm before your first run.

If you have kids, it’s even easier to notice the different. Aren’t they consistently up early on the weekends and while they’re reluctant to go to school during the week?

So, to be consistent, you’ll have to find the will and the desire within you.

Discover your “why”

• Why do you need planning?
• How will your life be easier if you plan?
• What kind of stressful situation will you avoid with planning?
• In which aspects will your life be more balanced?
• How would planning improve your productivity?
• What would you like to do with the extra time?

Think of a role model

• Do you know someone who plans their day very well?
• How is his/her life?
• What benefits they enjoy for having a clear schedule?
• How would your life change if you followed a consistent plan too?

Now that I got you excited with the pleasures of having more time for the things and people you love, let’s have a look at the possible barriers:

• What generally prevents you from being consistent with your planning?
• How do you feel every time you can’t follow your schedule?
• What can you do to minimize or prevent it from happening?

As I said, there’s no magic pill.

It takes self-knowledge, patience and will-power to become consistent.

Take one step at a time. Answer the questions above sincerely and start brainstorming for solutions.

Finally, feel free to search for an accountability partner or a coach to help you out.

Change your paradigm about consistency

• It’s not a gift, but something you develop.
• It takes time to become consistent.
• There’s no magic pill. You got do the work.
• Never doubt your ability to get organized.
• Believe you deserve a balanced and stress-free.

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What will you do today to reach consistency?