So You Want To Be More Consistent?

Have you ever had a goal or dream, something you really want, and you can picture yourself having it. You put a plan in place and start, but it feels so difficult and uncomfortable by day two that it’s easier to give up and “try again on Monday”. 

If that sounds like you, you’re probably consumed by the outcome and want the fix quickly. The fit body, clear skin, proficiency in sport, the job or promotion, not feeling tired, losing weight etc. If you could have the outcome tomorrow you would! So let me be blunt here. The more you focus on the outcome, the harder it will be to get what you want, and you will always feel uncomfortable, irritable and like you’re behind. You’ll always find yourself saying “what’s the point?”. 

If you’re ready to leave that version of yourself behind, here’s what you can do.

First, you must understand what consistency means. In this context it means acting in a reliable manner over time. Think of a sports athlete. They don’t become great at what they do because they train once a week or when they feel like. They probably have been training every day from young to be where they are today. And they didn’t get great overnight. They had hurdles, challenges and disappointments but they learned from it and kept moving forward. That is consistency. Showing up even when you’re nowhere near your goal.

As someone who used to procrastinate and leave tasks until the due date, who always wanted to be fit and strong but struggled to follow a fitness program so continuously gave up, who was addicted to work, so much so that relaxing was a struggle, I can tell you, living that life is unhealthy. I just wanted to be consistent, but it was so damn difficult.

So I first taught myself how to find the balance between action and rest. And my secret? Knowing when to call it a day, so that I can continue tomorrow. That and working with my personal style and having my planning systems in place. When you can call it a day, and fully rest, you can show up tomorrow with the same energy. And that’s how you become consistent.

Consistency needs small actions that build up over time towards your goal. 

For example, if your goal is to not procrastinate anymore and get things done, consistency starts with knowing when to call it a day to preserve your energy. It’s sleeping and waking up on time every day. It’s using your planner every morning to plan. It’s embracing the discomfort of starting an assignment you know you won’t finish but working on it a little each week. It’s checking in with your emotions daily so that you can process them. It’s figuring out what you’re avoiding when you procrastinate so there’s no more evening guilt sessions. It’s taking proper rest in between energy draining tasks and knowing exactly what you need to feel rested. It’s eating well each day so that your body is supported and nourished. 

Are you going to get the result you want immediately? No.

Is it going to take time to train your body to adapt to these new habits? Yes.

Will you feel discomfort almost every day? Probably.

People add in the words discipline, motivation and momentum and tell you that is what you need. I believe it starts before that with your “why”. The reason you want to change in the first place. That is what’s going to get you through. Once you have your reasons, all that’s left is facing the discomfort of change. So this is my mantra for showing up even when you don’t feel like it:

Forget the goal and embrace the discomfort of not being where you want to be but know that each day you put in the work it gets you closer. One day you’re going to wake up and it’s going to be there. Your future self will thank you.

Stop procrastinating everything important to you. Feel the discomfort and push past it. You’re getting out of a comfort zone, of course it’s going to be challenging!