Maintaining Consistency

3:24:46

2023-11-01

440

1- Keep going if you make a mistake. Even the most consistent and well-organized people slip up sometimes. Plan for potential failure, and don't beat yourself up if you make a mistake along the way.

Just because you had to cancel an appointment, break a promise, or pass a deadline doesn’t mean you’re not consistent. Sometimes, despite our best planning, external factors can get in the way.
Plan for your setbacks and failures. If a literary agent rejects your manuscript, figure out where next to send it, or look it over to see what might be improved.
Consistency doesn't equal perfection. If you miss a day at the gym or fail to read your child a book at night, encourage yourself to start again the very next day.

2- Take time off to recharge. Consistency doesn’t mean that you are working all of the time. In fact, if you give yourself time off, you’ll improve your productivity and avoid burning out. Schedule in time for yourself, and don’t let work or other commitments get in the way.

For example, you might give yourself an hour each evening to read, take a bath, or watch TV. Don’t work during this time.
Meditation is a great way to quiet your brain and give yourself some peace. Practice meditating for at least 5 minutes each day and work your way up to 15 minutes at a time.
Don't push aside your personal time if you have other responsibilities. For example, if you need Saturday mornings to sleep in, don't promise your significant other that you'll wake up to mow your lawn. Tell them you'll do it on another day or time (and make sure to come through on this promise!).

3- Use motivational tools to keep going even when you don’t feel like it. When you’re tired or stressed, it can be easy just to let your goals slide for a day, but these actions can quickly cause you to get off track. If you’re feeling down or lazy, try to find new sources of motivation.

Space out small rewards throughout the day to keep you going. For example, if you’re writing a long paper, give yourself a 5 minute break every time you finish a page or 2.
Remind yourself of your long-term goals. Tell yourself that if you want to achieve those goals, you’ll have to get this task done. For example, instead of saying, “I really don’t want to write those reports,” you might think, “Once I get those reports done, I’ll have time to do something else."
If you're having a difficult day, make a compromise with yourself. For example, if you want to eat healthy more consistently but you can’t bring yourself to cook, pick up a salad instead of fast food.

4- Hold yourself accountable. To be consistent you have to make sure that you recognize when you don't reach the standards and goals that you've set. In these moments, consider if your goals are realistic or ask yourself what you can do to improve.

On your schedule or calendar, check off tasks that you have completed. This will give you a sense of satisfaction. It will also help you realize what you can realistically accomplish in 1 day.
Ask a friend, family member, mentor, or coworker to be your accountability partner. Have them check in once a week to see what your progress is like. If they see you not behaving consistently, give them permission to call you out.
Don't beat yourself up when you don't hit the mark. What matters is that you keep working towards your goals and towards consistency.