Consistency at work and at home….
Dictionary.com defines consistency as “2. steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form, etc….” We’ve all heard it before, “consistency is the key”; we’ve seen it in action even. When my Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series (after an incredibly long drought) it was in part because of their consistency. Our financial outlook improves because of something so small as compound interest and consistently contributing towards our future!We’ve lost weight because we’ve consistently participated at our favorite gym and have seen much success all in part because of consistency – both at work and at home.
WHY IS CONSISTENCY SO IMPORTANT?
Consistency speaks a lot about our character – both in your personal or business life. Do you know someone who says they’ll be at the designated place on time, but tends to show up late? Or had a friend who you thought would be there through it all only to find out when push comes to shove, they’re nowhere to be found? Being consistent with your life (all aspects) will you succeed in your goals. Think about it this way, something that is “stable” or consistent, is far more likely to withstand in the long run over time! And in business, being consistent means that you’ll grow your business from those satisfied customers who keep returning because they know what to expect from your service or product!
“In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.”
TIPS TO HELP WITH CONSISTENCY
Just like everything, when you want more consistency in your life, you have to make a decision. With that decision comes action. Here are some tips to help with being more consistent.
Consider the benefit of the morning routine – I know, doesn’t sound like the sexiest thing in the world! We are after all creatures of habit, establishing a routine will set you up for a great day!
Do the things you don’t like to do first – as a business owner, there are things we do that we don’t like, but have to get done (accounting, administrative, etc). If you do those things first when your mind is fresh, you’re more likely to get them done.
Don’t engage in negative self talk – we all set goals and we all sometimes don’t achieve them. Don’t beat yourself up about this! Learn, grow and determine to do better the next time!
Own the process – work on the process, don’t think about the results. If you have a goal to hit $100k this year, work on the processes and systems to get you to that goal. Don’t think about the results all the time. Yes, measurement is important; set specific time frames to review your goals and your progress. Remember the saying. “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time”. It’s incremental steps and being consistent that will get you to that goal.
Play to your strengths – Yes, I know I said to do the things you don’t like first. However, if you find that those are the things that you put off the most, consider other ways to accomplish those tasks like outsourcing and focus on what you have to and what you love!
Get over yourself – stop thinking about the past! This goes back to the negative self talk. Stop thinking about where you’ve been or past experiences. See yourself being highly productive and consistent and what that looks like. How you will feel. Where you’ll be.
Use apps/programs to assist – there are so many apps out there to help you with consistency. Starting out by reviewing what you’re spending your time on and what you’re spending your money on will help you establish your priorities.