“For changes to be of any true value, they’ve got to be lasting and consistent.” – Anthony Robbins
I used to think that with the perfect balance of hard work, skills, talents, and support, I could accomplish any and all of my goals. But looking back, I realized that success required one other component: consistency. When starting a semester in school, I had to be committed and consistently show up to every class, submit every assignment, and pass every quiz and test. For every job, I had to consistently arrive on time and perform my duties. For every travel excursion, I had to consistently plan ahead, save money, and budget my expenses. I could not start with strength and suddenly give up when I lost momentum or when my mind wandered to a new and exciting venture. I had to remember that it was easy to throw in the towel and attribute my change of heart to a list of excuses that would not surprise others. I had to push past the hardships, like the rest of the greats, who found innovative ways to recharge and reboot. I had to find new ways to motivate myself in order to maintain consistency and keep going. I had to prioritize my readers, followers, and clients, who counted on my consistency in order to trust me and know that my words carried weight that would last longer than a fad.
Therefore, several tips have helped me master consistency in my life, especially when it comes to blogging and other creative projects:
CREATE A SCHEDULE. This might mean creating an editorial calendar where you designate certain posts or ideas for certain days. This could also mean creating a daily schedule where your mind and body grow accustomed to a workflow and you know when to expect lunch or how to manage your time effectively by only answering emails during a certain hour or brainstorm at a certain time. Whichever, if both, works for you, plan ahead. Make it a priority to have ideas in order so that you can be more organized and productive.
SET REALISTIC GOALS. Your goals should be clear and attainable. It’s nice to have an overarching goal of ten million followers or a billion dollar salary, but setting realistic goals means setting smaller goals that are doable and lead to your bigger goal. Don’t be afraid to pick a very specific and defined goal: “I will save five pennies a day for the next thirty years as a retirement fund” is more effective than saying “I will save money,” which doesn’t have a plan or guide to follow.
EMBRACE IMPERFECTION. Consistency means allowing yourself to have good days and bad days, but pushing forward anyway. Finishing what you start is consistent. Don’t focus so much on “the perfect post” that will wow every reader and serve as the winning book deal.
FIND ACCOUNTABILITY CHEERLEADERS. I attribute a lot of my consistency to the cheerleaders in my life, like my husband, who constantly encourage me to keep going. When you keep others in the loop about your project, it makes you feel like you need to report back with progress the next time you see them. Use that as motivation to keep your work flowing. There is always someone who is willing to offer you positive energy when they see that you are trying your best and refusing to give up.
DESIGNATE A CREATIVE SPACE. Because my son is so young, I seize every opportunity I can to write, edit, or network, even if it means writing a post on my iPad while nursing him in bed. However, I admit that I am not most productive when I am in that situation, so I bought a table, some frames, and a vase to put flowers. It is important to create a space where you can sit with your coffee and mentally prepare to work. The feeling of productivity is worth the investment of designing an area that encourages you to make beautiful and important things. I found that I was more consistent with writing daily when I had an “office” that looked sad and dusty when it wasn’t used.
RECOGNIZE WEAKNESSES. Netflix, Facebook, and my constant urge to nap are crippling to my work. They ruin my consistency because one day, I could be writing with passion, while the next day, I’m binge-watching a new series for several hours with no motivation to turn on my computer. I am not saying that you should abstain from your weaknesses, but make them a priority in their own right and set time aside for them to enjoy in moderation. I knew that if I made time for three hours of writing, I wouldn’t feel guilty about a half hour of leisure time before bed.
BUDDY UP. If you know a fellow writer, blogger, student, or other person in your life or area who is also seeking consistency and productivity, set up regularly-scheduled dates at a coffee shop or library to dedicate to your work. This could be on a weekly basis or every morning at 6am at the local Starbucks. Similarly to having an accountability cheerleader, having another person who can keep you in check, but who also needs you to focus is helpful.
WORK, EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE IT. This is one of my biggest hurdles. I tend to make excuses that my “writing will always be there” or “I will work twice as hard tomorrow,” but in reality, I could be very productive today, twice as productive tomorrow, and ten times as productive in a week. As I said at the beginning, it is easy to take a break. It is easy to quit. The challenge lies in working, even when you’d rather be doing anything else. This makes tomorrow easier because you knew that you got through today, and the day before, and however many days before that… all without stopping.
GIVE YOUR IDEAS AND READERS TIME TO SPROUT. When I don’t see instant results, I question what I am doing. I wonder if there is something I could change and it makes me want to change right away. Consistency means having a reliable topics and ideas that your true readers and followers can count on. You might be gifted with a special wisdom and knowledge that is slowly and quietly reaching and helping a certain group of people who need more time to open up and affirm your positive influence. Consistently write about and produce what you love, what you know, and what you enjoy. At some point, either now or later, you will reap the benefits because you stayed true to the story you promised you would deliver.
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT YOU HAVE MASTERED CONSISTENCY IN YOUR LIFE? I’d love to hear positive thoughts in the comments!! Please share and connect with me!