Why you need to stay consistent

BY DANIEL COLE

“Success comes through sustained effort. (The key word in that sentence is not ‘effort.’ It’s ‘sustained.’)” said Todd Brison. Do you know that given enough time, a consistent flowing water can erode a rock? In the pursuit of excellence, consistency has no substitute. In the words of Marie Forleo, “Success doesn’t come from what we do occasionally; it comes from what we do consistently.” Consistency is anchored on discipline, focus and clarity. Our over-dependence on external motivation and praise is one reason many don’t stay consistent in life. Whatsoever you do because of praise and applause, you will stop doing in the absence of it. You can’t give the outside world too much control and power over what you are called to do. Victoria Erickson, author of the book, Edge of Wonder, wrote, “Consistency is an underappreciated form of international magic disguised as a mundane doing.”

The Coca-Cola Company has maintained a consistent brand image for the past 130 years; not only has the Coca-Cola font style remained the same since the 1900s, but the red font colour has also stayed the same. Brand consistency is the key to building trust and earning customer loyalty.

Trust is social capital, but it can only be earned when an action has become consistent over a long period of time. Consistency is the building block of credibility, and without credibility, it is almost impossible to succeed in any life endeavours. Consistency is the foundation of predictability; when an action has become repetitive or consistent over a long period of time, it makes the outcome predictable.

Consistency is a steadfast adherence to the same principle, course, or form of action. Mastery is built on consistency. In his book, The Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell suggests the 10,000 hours principle of consistent practice to gain mastery in any chosen carrier. The principle holds that 10,000 hours of deliberate practice are needed to become world-class in any field. All champions, outliers, and trailblazers are products of consistent practice.

Consistency is not a sudden habit we developed by default or a gift given to us at childbirth; it’s a product of self-discipline and focus. Every life pursuit has its gestation period; at the right time, all consistent efforts will yield its result.

Without clarity of what you want in life and where you are going, life is reduced to a mere experiment. It takes time to build a good reputation, and it takes a consistent habit to sustain it. People respect and honour those who stay committed and consistent with their goal. Said Benjamin Hardy, “Consistency is the most fundamental virtue to becoming the person you want to be.”

Be consistent in your pursuit of success and excellence; you cannot achieve peak performance if you don’t. Respect is built on consistency. Honour and recognition are built on consistency. Any bodybuilder will agree that it takes years of consistent working out to compete at a global level. The key is dedication and discipline. Distraction is the enemy of distinction. Whatsoever is distinctive has passed the test of commitment and consistency.

Calvin Coolidge has rightly said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” 

 The true mark of a champion is a commitment to their craft. If you’re Not That Good Now, Consistency Will Make You Better. Jeff Goins has rightly said, “Don’t coast on talent alone. Let it remind you of the responsibility you have to honour your gift. And if you’re not that good, well, here’s the good news: you can get better.”