Consistency is key.
We’ve all heard it. But does consistency really work?
Yes, my friend. It works like magic. I have personally observed that whatever I have been consistent with, has yielded me far greater and better results than measures which were more one off in nature.
Whether it is improving at your art, working from home, creating a passive income stream, trying to losing those 10 pounds or waking up early every morning, consistency matters more than anything else.
Here’s why.
1. Consistency helps you develop a habit
Consistency means doing the same thing (or a similar activity) repeatedly over and over, day after day. At first, it may feel random, but soon enough (you will start to feel it by Day 7), it will feel like you have always been doing it.
Consider this.
You don’t have to think before brushing your teeth, or eating your lunch. You do it out of habit. It’s second nature.
Same way, anything can become second nature. Brushing was not at all something that all humans have been doing (or still do for that matter). But to you, it feels like second nature. Like home. Similarly, if your goal is to get better at your art, doing it every day will help you develop a habit of creating art.
And here’s the thing. Habits are the foundations of our daily lives, and ultimately our lives. So creating habits which enhance your lifestyle will surely take you closer to your goals.
2. Consistency helps you become better at it
When something becomes a habit, you intuitively figure out better ways of doing it.
It’s human nature and is the basis of all inventions – the desire to do something in a better way.
You were not this good at brushing your teeth, but because you’ve been doing it since forever, you have gotten better.
Similarly, if you exercise everyday as a habit, you will get more flexible, your muscles will learn your regular movements and you will get better at it.
The easiest way to get better at something is to do it every day.
Try it, it works 1000%.
3. Consistency helps others know exactly what to expect from you (and this is very comforting to humans)
When you do something regularly, others expect that from you even before you’ve done it.
And having one’s expectation satisfied is subconsciously one of the greatest feelings for human beings.
This one is especially relevant if you are trying to grow a business. If you do one thing consistently – it could be anything – publishing a new blog post every Wednesday or posting at 11 am on Instagram every morning – it will cause your audience to expect that from you. Satisfaction of that expectation will keep them coming back for more.
Consistency helps set expectations, and then deliver.
4. Consistency gives motion to the power of compounding – in a broader sense
Every small act that you do over and over daily adds up to something much larger.
And you only get to see that result with time.
I’m not going to lie. I will not promise that within 2 weeks you will see fantabulous results. You will not.
But I will say this. Anything that you contribute on a consistent basis, adds up. This leads to far greater returns in the long run.
For example, working out every day for 3 months may give you some results like weight loss. But if you work out every day for 3 years, those results are going to be compounded with better energy, anti aging benefits, benefits to your hormonal system and more – in addition to losing unwanted weight & maintaining muscle tone.
So to engage the power of compounding in a broader sense, get consistent.
5. Consistency increases your belief in yourself & improves your self image
This is my favourite benefit.
Consistency will improve your self image. You will start thinking in terms of “I can totally do this” rather than in terms of “Who am I kidding? I’m never going to be able to keep up with this.”
This is crazy important.
The way you speak to yourself shapes your confidence, your view of yourself, therefore the view others have of you and ultimately your life. So when you are consistent, you know for a fact that you are capable, committed, driven, and successful. This belief will absolutely change your life.
And here’s the best part.
You don’t have to get consistent with the most important thing to achieve your goal. You just need to get consistent with something (it could be anything).
For example, even if your goal is to grow your business, even if you manage to be consistent at exercising every day, it will grow your business (yes even if you are not in the fitness sector).
This is because achieving that consistency will improve your self image and will help you pursue your business goals.
Seriously guys. Just try it!