Consistency is a great life toolkit you need as an individual. The difference between a successful person and someone who is not, is consistency. Many people battle with being consistent; it is one of the most difficult characters to build and maintain over a long period of time. Lack of consistency is one of the major reasons why many are underachievers. Being consistent requires some steps that will be easy to do if only you’re willing to move from where you’re to where you want to be. In this article, we shall explore 10 ways to build consistency.
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1. Set Specific and Realistic Goals.
Consistency will be difficult if you don’t know what you want and how to go about it. The first step is to set goals that are simple with specific ways to achieving them. For example, if you want a car by the end of the year, you will have a source of income, and a savings account with a specific amount to be saved daily, weekly or monthly. Not having a source of income will make that dream unachievable.
2. Draw up a schedule
It’s very easy to come up with goals and tasks, but a planner, a calendar or a schedule will keep you on track. Having a schedule can help you plan your day. Allot time for every task in a timetable format, just as we have in classrooms. Don’t forget to insert a period of break in your planner. For example, if you have a big goal of writing a book, you can choose to write 6 pages a day. You can choose to give three hours for your writing period. Block off anything that will intrude into that period. To keep yourself planned, you can get a desk calendar, download a scheduling app like Google Calendar or Outlook. Also, you can give yourself an extra time if you’re uncertain when a task will be completed.
3. Place Reminders Around Your Home, Workspace and Belongings
To remain consistent, placing reminders around your home, belongings and workspace is very ideal. This will keep you on your toes, and renew your commitments, and help you stay out of unproductive activities. You can paste these reminders, written on colourful papers, on your mirror, refrigerator, books, laptops, and car dashboard. You can slip them into your wallets. You can place it on the marker boards in your workspace. You can also make use of alarms with titles to keep you reminded.
4. Make Promises You Can Keep
Avoid making overwhelming promises to yourself and others. Consistency demands making and fulfilling promises. When you’re overwhelmed with so many promises it can cripple your consistency drive. For example, if a friend needs you to help her move her properties into a new apartment, don’t just say yes. Check your schedule, look for free time, and give specific time to help. You could say, ”I’ll be available by 5pm to help.” Making promises also applies to the ones you make to yourself. If it’s impossible to write ten pages for your new book, make it lesser and achievable.
5. Have A Reward System
Rewarding yourself after each completed goal can be exhilarating. Learn to reward yourself if you succeed in achieving a goal. It is a way to rewind and motivate yourself to accomplish bigger goals. Even small goals deserve small rewards. If you complete a small task of writing ten pages a day for your new book by 5pm every day, take an evening off, visit a restaurant and treat yourself to a nice meal. If it’s a big goal of completing your book, you can choose to go on a week vacation to recuperate, before deciding what next to do.
6. Never Be Discouraged By Mistakes
Being consistent comes with its own challenges. Even the most organized people slip up sometimes. Have in mind that when you set goals, there are possibilities for failures. So, don’t be discouraged by them. Sometimes you might fail to beat a deadline, keep up with a promise or an appointment due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control, it doesn’t mean you’re inconsistent. Keep going. Never forget: Your aim is to be consistent, not to be perfect.
7. Give Room For Break
Never mistake consistency for working round the clock all the time. Learn to take a break, when necessary, to refresh. For example, you might take an hour off your day to watch the TV, read a book or have a cool bath. Don’t push aside your personal time to attend to other responsibilities when you should be resting or sleeping — including weekends. However, be conscious of your goals when you take out time to refresh, to avoid being complacent.
8. Use Motivational Tools to Keep Pushing Yourself
There are times you’ll be tired, discouraged or feel lazy to accomplish your goals, it’s essential to find ways of motivating yourself such as listening to your favourite songs, going through your dreams repeatedly. Remind yourself why you set out to attain your goal in the first place.
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9. Be Accountable To Yourself
Ask yourself questions if you’re getting your goals reached. If you’re, look for more ways to get to your goals quicker. If you’re slacking, you should ask yourself if you can really achieve the set goals or if there are ways to improve on yourself. You can also ask a coworker, a mentor or your partner to be an accountability partner. You can ask them to demand daily, weekly or monthly reports from you.
10. Be Patient To See Results
Don’t think that results are manufactured overnight. If you have a goal to lose weight, it will cost you both money and time. You might as well sign up for a gym class and change to the necessary diets, however, it is also advisable to remain consistent and patient to see the desired result. A little effort will consistently yield great results.
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