What does consistency mean to you? Let’s look at different ways to BUILD consistency sustainably.
Can you give me the name of a consistent person you know and admire:
- Why do you think so?
- What do they do that helps them build consistency?
I am sure I will get different answers to the questions above, but they will all still be correct and relevant. It happens because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all to consistency. However, the more consistent you are, the easier it will be to:
- Manage stress
- Build trust
- Reinforce your reputation
Manage stress
Having a consistent plan gives peace of mind and saves energy. You don’t go out there just doing stuff, or firefighting. You have a goal you want to achieve, and you work on it regularly to reach your objective.
Build trust
When you perform consistently throughout your career, people know they can count on you. Your successes aren’t the results of one-off efforts but of persistent achievements.
Reinforce your reputation
Like trust, earning your reputation involves consistently delivering top-quality work within agreed due dates, or promptly informing stakeholders of possible delays and offering solutions.
Note that consistency is not a synonym for repetition. It is about developing a sustainable pattern that creates space for what truly matters and achieving the desired results.
How you can BUILD consistency
If you can improve consistency in your life, start by deciding where you want to begin. It is a change of habits that will require time and energy initially, so you should play smart. A few ideas are:
- Work out regularly
- Learn a new skill
- Make time for yourself
To begin, choose what you want to do:
- What kind of physical activity do you want to start?
- What skill would you like to learn?
- What do you want to do in your me-time?
Then, decide how much time you have, and are willing to invest. What must you change in your current routine to create the necessary space? Remember that a day has 24 hours; sacrificing your sleep to add extra time isn’t healthy or sustainable.
Finally, even the most perfect plan may require some changes. Life happens, and you have less free time, for example. Or you get involved in a “once-in-a-lifetime project,” and you must shuffle your priorities.
Making conscious modifications based on your new reality and redefining what consistency looks like is a smart move that will help you to stay on track.
Consistency side-effects
The whole idea behind the BUILD Journey is to support different personal development initiatives. It’s a means to achieve things in life while maintaining a (relative*) balance. Nobody wants to be consistent just for the sake of being consistent.
If this is your first attempt to become more consistent, don’t expect to get it right on the first try. Like Myka Meier says, “practice until you become.” Ultimately, you want to be consistent to achieve meaningful goals. So set your focus on what matters, and keep it up!
For more tips on how to take your consistency plan to the next level, please read this blog post.
Read the other posts in this series:
* Balance means something different for everyone. For some, it implies having a 9-to-5 job that allows them to play with the kids at night. For others, it can be having flexible hours to dedicate to sports activities.