All the mightiest rivers in the world — the Amazon in South America, Ganga in northern India, and more — start as tiny streams of water trickling from glaciers. Eventually, they grow into these massive rivers that provide for a big chunk of the world’s population, all because of the CONSISTENT flow of water in those small streams.
There are so many things that we want to do in life, but most of the time we just keep thinking about them without taking action.
The first challenge is to actually start doing something we like or want. Even if we manage to start, something else always comes up that takes precedence. By the time we get back to it, we either have lost interest or the motivation to carry on.
Most of us make resolutions for the new year but it’s fair to say that months go by so quickly that we don’t even notice.
Think about joining a gym to get in shape because you’re not happy with what you see in the mirror and your clothes don’t fit right.
You might start strong but end up losing steam after a few weeks, and that gym membership money goes down the drain.
We all have great business ideas bouncing around in our heads, some of which could really take off. But sometimes, we lack the drive to act on them or give up too soon when things don’t work out initially.
There’s a very powerful verse in Hinduism which is often taught in the primary schools of India, it’s in Hindi:
“karat karat abhyas ke jadmati hot sujan
rasri aawat jaat te sil par parat nishan”
It means that just as a rope can wear away even the toughest stones in a well’s wall over time by being repeatedly rubbed against it to draw water, even a weak-minded person can become wise through consistent practice.
A single drop of water is incredibly light and harmless on its own. However, when it consistently falls on the same spot on a rock for years, it eventually carves a hole through the rock.
In a world full of hopes, dreams, and big goals, everyone wants to be successful. But let’s be real, success isn’t an easy walk in the park.
It’s more like a tough journey where you need dedication, being strong even when things get hard, and never giving up.
We’ve all looked at people who’ve achieved amazing things and wondered how they did it. Well, it all comes down to one important thing: Consistency.
There is nothing in this world that can’t be achieved if you’re consistent. Consistency is the key to success.
So, let’s take a plunge and deep dive into the power of consistency. Let’s explore why starting something is just the beginning and how small steps, taken over and over again can lead to the biggest wins.
Grab your coffee, tea, or your favorite drink and get comfy because we’re going to explore how consistency truly holds the key to your success journey.
Table of Contents
3 Reasons Why People Struggle To Remain Consistent
Let’s be honest, we’ve all been there where being consistent can feel like trying to hold onto water. Have you ever wondered why? Here are 3 reasons why we find it hard to remain consistent.
1. We Want Instant Gratification
Remember the first time you hopped on a bike? Did you become a pro right away? Probably not! You practiced, wobbled, and kept pedaling until you got the hang of it.
Because nothing happens in a day, it takes you time and practices over and over again. That’s how you learn new things.
Think about how babies start out. They struggle with even simple things like sitting up and holding objects.
But as they grow, they become experts in everything because their body has had enough practice and everyday things have become normal for them. Our bodies learn through consistency.
These examples are everywhere, but sometimes we miss the point. You see, everything in life happens because of consistency.
This is because we live in a world where we’re accustomed to getting instant results. We’re used to getting things right away and we tend to give up easily because we draw our strength from the results.
Pizza arrives in 30 minutes, Amazon brings stuff the same day, and movies are just a click away. All these instant services have molded our mindset in a way that we want everything right now.
We don’t like anything that doesn’t provide instant gratification.
If you have a best friend or a life partner who you’ve known for a long period of time. Can you pinpoint the exact moment they became your best friend? Or the exact date you fell in love? Probably not.
Because these things don’t happen in a moment, they happen over time through lots of small moments adding up.
Sadly, instead of loving the process, we’ve become lovers of moments.
But understand this: Going to the dentist twice a year won’t benefit your teeth, brushing them twice a day for just 2 mins will. It’s all about those small, consistent actions that build up over time.
2. Doing What’s Not Our Thing
Imagine this: your friend starts going to the gym and suddenly your Instagram feed is flooded with their stunning gym photos and workout videos.
You get influenced by that and get swept up in the “I should be doing that too” mindset. But when you start something just to keep up with others, it’s like running a race in someone else’s shoes – uncomfortable and exhausting.
We live in the era of social media where it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap while scrolling through perfectly curated Instagram feeds.
You see someone doing something or excelling in a particular area, and suddenly, you’re convinced you should be doing the same.
But the important thing to realize is that everyone’s journey is unique. What works for someone else might not work for you.
Rather you should be pursuing what genuinely interests and resonates with you. Otherwise, you’ll find it hard to remain consistent and continue doing it after a while.
The true path to consistency and success lies in embracing what aligns with your own values and dreams.
3. The Lack of Discipline
Remember that surge of motivation you felt after watching an inspiring TED Talk or reading a motivational book?
It’s like a firework – bright and exciting, but it fades quickly. While motivation is a wonderful Kickstarter, it’s the discipline that keeps you going in the long run.
Think of discipline as a compass guiding you through the stormy seas of distraction and temptation. When motivation fades, discipline steps in, reminding you of your goals and commitments.
It’s the determination to stick to your routine even when the initial excitement dwindles.
As humans, it’s in our nature to get motivated but most of us struggle with maintaining the discipline required to keep working toward our goals.
This lack of discipline often makes it challenging to stay consistent, and that’s why we tend to give up so easily.
The Role of Our Brain
Now that we know why are we not consistent, let’s understand the role of our brain when it comes to consistency.
According to the studies, it takes about 25 years for our brains to fully develop. All the things we do during those 25 years play a huge role in shaping our minds.
Doing different activities is like giving our brain a workout. Just like playing a sport or creating art helps in certain ways, each activity teaches us something about our brains.
Ever noticed someone who can play a sport all day because they love it, but can’t focus on studying for even a short while?
This tells us two things about our brain, first, it can push the boundaries of our body when it comes to something we’re passionate about but when it’s something we’re not so into, our brain struggles to stay engaged.
Second, the more we do something, the better we get.
When we start working out in the gym, we start with light weights, right? It’s because our brain and muscles can start talking and learn to work together.
Once that mind-muscle connection is built, we gradually add more weight, and our muscles get stronger over time.
Or consider dancing. At the start, most of us are a bit awkward with the steps. But with practice, our muscles get used to the moves.
Plus, our brain kind of memorizes the steps, making them smooth as butter. Before you know it, you’re grooving through the whole song.
Remember your first time driving? All those pedals, gears, and steering can be confusing. But the more you drive, the better you become at managing everything.
Similar is the case with our brain, It’s got these mental muscles that need training. The more we use them, the better they become. So you can train your brain to master any new skill you want to learn.
5 Things You Can Do to Be Consistent
Now that we understand how our brains work and why staying consistent can be a challenge, let’s jump right into how to actually stay consistent. Here are 5 things you can do to be consistent.
1. Deciding What You Want to Do
The very first thing to do is adopt a positive mindset and approach everything with a positive outlook. Great things can be achieved if you have a positive attitude.
It will help you look at the bright side even when things are not going your way. And that’s how life is, sometimes things will go your way but sometimes they may not. But that’s life, we take it as it comes.
The important thing to realize is that we’ve all got this one precious life. And it’s up to us to make the best out of it and become the best version of ourselves.
To do that, you’ll have to take a look within and think hard about what you really, really want to do in life. Not just in your career, but in all aspects of your existence.
In life, there are a lot of choices but you can’t do everything, can you? So you’ll have to be smart and choose your goals wisely.
Whether you want to become a great artist, a successful boss, a helpful teacher, or anything else. Think hard about what you want to do and what truly resonates with your heart.
Take some time to reflect, and pen down your aspirations in a journal.
Remember, it’s not about having a long list, but about having a clear list that only includes the things you really want to do.
When you work towards something that you genuinely align with your life goals, you’re naturally more invested in it and the chances of remaining consistent are significantly high because your heart is truly in it.
So put on your happy face, figure out what you want to do, and write them in your journal so that you have clear goals ahead.
You can also create vision boards that will help you visualize your goals. Having a clear picture of your goals in mind and visualizing them every day will help you manifest everything you wish for in life.
2. Make Short-Term and Long-Term Goals
Now that you know what you want to do, it’s time to put a timeline on your goals.
For example, if you’re starting to go to the gym, start by aiming to go three times a week. If your ultimate goal is to shed 10 kgs, create a short-term goal of losing 3 kgs in a month, and a long-term goal of shedding the full 10 kgs in 3 months.
If you’re a student or picking up a new skill, commit to taking weekly tests on whatever you’ve learned this week. As for the long-term goals, plan a bigger test on an entire section or a few chapters at a go.
If you’ve just started blogging or making videos for YouTube, you can set a short-term goal for 1 video or 1 blog a week.
These goals are your creation so you decide what’s achievable for you. Don’t be too ambitious and don’t be too hard on yourself, otherwise, you’ll exhaust yourself in the initial few days and give up.
3. Measure Results
We often draw our strengths from the results, so the next step is to ensure that we measure the results.
Now things we do will bring different kinds of results, some will have quantitative results like scoring in a test, the number of blogs we write, or videos we make.
But some activities like going to the gym, or learning a guitar won’t have quantitative results that you can measure. But just because it’s not a number game doesn’t mean you can’t measure it.
You can find innovative ways to measure results accordingly. For example, if you’re learning a musical instrument, like the guitar, try mastering a new song every week or two.
No matter what you’re working on, find a way to measure your progress. Regular check-ins will keep you motivated. They show how far you’ve come and inspire you to keep going.
Whatever it is that you’re learning, you figure out a way to measure the progress and do so at regular intervals. And celebrate small wins and accomplishments along the way!
4. Get Organized and Manage Your Time
Another crucial step in being consistent is to be organized. When you’re organized, you can manage your time more efficiently and focus on important tasks.
So think ahead of time and plan your day either the night before or first thing in the morning. This will help you organize your thoughts and keep your day sorted so you’ll have fewer chances of missing out on things.
You can either maintain a journal, make a to-do list, and prioritize your tasks, or you can take advantage of the countless apps and tools available to manage your time and keep track of your tasks.
If you’re committing to your goals, you’ve got to make room for them in your schedule. I get it, some days are crazier than others. But the trick is to find pockets of time throughout the day for what matters most.
Think about when you’re most ‘free’ during the day. Some folks like it in the morning, while others find their groove in the evening.
It’s like arranging puzzle pieces in your day’s schedule. You know your routine best. Your time is like your own treasure. Use it wisely for the things you really want.
5. Make it Fun!
Try and find fun in everything you do. If you’re starting gymming, listen to good music and take good pictures.
If you find it hard doing it alone, do it in a group with like-minded people.
Take group classes for Yoga, Zumba, or Aerobics. If you’re learning to play a new instrument then do it in a group so that it’s more fun.
Remember, staying consistent isn’t about being serious all the time. It’s about adding a pinch of enjoyment to everything. So make things exciting, have a blast, and turn your journey toward your goals into a joy ride!
Wrapping up!
You can do whatever you want to do in life, be it playing a sport, learning a new skill, transforming your own body, starting a new business, or anything under the sun – it all begins with one simple word: START!
If you’re really interested in something and if you visualize yourself being the best in it one day, you will manifest that in your real life. Have that faith in yourself and keep a positive attitude.
Now, starting isn’t about knowing it all on day one. You won’t have all the answers at the beginning, and that’s okay. Rome wasn’t built in a day, right?
The initial few days can be really tough. You’ll stumble and fumble, but each failure will teach you something. The trick is, you need to pick a goal and you need to step up a little harder and be CONSISTENT!
You’re probably all motivated and ready to rock. But you might be wondering, “Where do I begin? What’s next?” Simple – Start by creating a plan.
It doesn’t have to be fancy or concrete, but a simple write-up of the things you want to accomplish in the short and long term.
Planning is like a map for your journey. It answers most of your “how to” questions, and you can figure out the rest along the way as you move forward with your plan.
Make short and long-term goals but don’t stuff your plate with too ambitious and aspirational goals from the get-go. Remember, one step at a time.
And most important of all, love the ride. Enjoy each moment, step, and twist. Namaste!
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