Consistency

I recently read that it takes 40 days to create a new habit (or in other words to get rid of a bad one.) So I tried it. A 40-day challenge to take walks for at least an hour every day for 40 days straight.  I am happy to report that I was successful, but not at first. My first attempt only got me to Day 8 and then it rained, so I stopped walking for 2 days. Of course, I had to start all over, and from January 10, 2018 – February 18, 2018 I walked every day for at least an hour, either on the levee of the Sacramento River or at the gym. Click here and see the Memory Book I created of my journey.

But what exactly happened to me as a result of this new habit I acquired?

First, it seems that Consistency leads to self-discipline. When I started the challenge, I was motivated. It was something new and it didn’t seem that hard to do. But after a week or so, the motivation was not as strong. There were days when I just didn’t want to walk. I just didn’t feel like it. But I forced myself. I had committed to do it. I even posted on Facebook. There was a part of me that didn’t want people to think I was a flake, so I continued.  And pretty soon, it felt as if I was able to better control my feelings and soon I was overcoming my weaknesses. I knew that what I was doing  what I thought was right despite the temptations to abandon it.  And as I got closer to my goal, my discipline was getting better.

The next thing I noticed was that I was thinking, “wow, if I can do this, then I can probably do more things that maybe I didn’t think I could do or things I didn’t want to do.” I started to believe this was and you know what they say about believing something. If you believe it hard enough and long enough, it becomes real. And the side effect is that this belief in yourself builds self-confidence.  Pretty soon you’re out there accomplishing, doing, succeeding. It’s incredible what being consistent can do for a person.

Being consistent has to happen not only during exciting days, but also on those monotonous days that happen to all of us at some time or another; not just  on bright days, but also on bleak days.

Sometimes in life people get impressed by the extraordinary, by the unusual. We marvel at a novel phenomenon.  If the sun would rise once in 70 years, you can be assured that  on that morning everybody would be up before dawn break to experience sunrise. But the sun rises every day so people just sleep through the miracle of sunrise.

Holidays and vacations in our psyche are sometimes experienced  with more ecstasy than the regular days of the week. Holidays, we think are unique. If it would be up to us, we may conclude that which is not part of the ordinary takes precedence over the ordinary.  But in reality, when you have something that is consistent and something that is inconsistent, it is that which is consistent that reigns supreme. It actually triumphs because it is the thing that makes you realize what you can do, what you are capable of accomplishing.

SUCCESS

A large part of success is putting in the time each and every day. Consistency is important for making progress, doing better work, getting in shape, and achieving some level of success in most areas of life.

The number one issue with being consistent is that you have to do things over and over and over again.  It’s not a one time thing  or a two-time thing, being consistent is actually a habit.

Don’t underestimate how much time and discipline contribute to your success. Consistent effort lies within the reach of anyone and is ultimately a greater cause of success.

Consistency develops routines and builds momentum. It forms habits that become almost second nature.

Quotes on consistency that might inspire you to become so:

•  “The secret of success is consistency of purpose.” Benjamin Disraeli, former British Prime Minister
•  “Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural result of consistently applying basic fundamentals.” Jim Rohn, American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker
• “Without consistency there is no moral strength.” John Owen, English Nonconformist church leader, theologian, and academic administrator at the University of Oxford
• “It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently.” Anthony Robbins, American author, entrepreneur, philanthropist and life coach
• “Do it again and again. Consistency makes the rain drops to create holes in the rock. Whatever is difficult can be done easily with regular attendance, attention and action.”  Israelmore Ayivo, young multi-talented author and a dynamic, inspirational blogger
• “My name is CONSISTENCY, I am related to SUCCESS. We should hang out more often than every once in a while.” Tony Gaskins, motivational speaker, author and life coach

More resources to help you with being consistent.

• Video – Jim Rohn Law of Averages (Consistency is Key)
• Article – Power of Consistency
• Video – Six Rules of Consistent Action from Tony Robbins
• Video – Consistency and Persistence
• Audio – Persistence from “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill

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