How to Become More Consistent

I hate the word “consistent.” Why? Because I can’t add that to my list of adjectives when an employer asks me to describe myself. And if they say, “tell me some of your weaknesses,” and if I’m honest and say, “I’m not very consistent…at all…” Sure enough, that job will go to someone else. Ok, so, the whole example of the job interview was just that, an example, showing just how deep the inconsistencies in my life go and, just how bad that would sound to someone who is trying to see if you are reliable. This is not to say that I am not reliable, just not consistent in certain areas of my life. Surely, someone out there can identify.

For instance, when it comes to exercising. Sure, I may be consistent for about 30 minutes but, being consistent for even two days can be a struggle. Why? I am honestly not sure. Perhaps, I lack discipline? Yes, that is part of it. Maybe, my drive to want things isn’t strong enough? Sure. That could be it too but, at the end of the day, I want to see certain results, in certain areas of my life. So, how can I help me and you…be more consistent? Here are some things that I have found that works for me.

Listen to something motivational.

Being consistent in exercising has always been a challenge for. Sure, there were times that I was more consistent than others but, it has always been a roller coaster. What has helped me now is, I listen to and watch successful, weight loss transformation stories. Something about seeing drastic, real-time results makes the unhealthy person in you scream, “I can do it toooooo!!!!” When it comes to me trying to stay motivated in my everyday life, if I’m not pulling from the Word of God, I’m listening to someone like George the Speaker, who gets me pumped up and excited every time. And my new favorite online mentor, Terri Savelle-Foy. And if it’s not him or her, there are always other options available when searching through the many motivational videos that pop up on Youtube.

Listen to testimonies that are specific to where you are struggling.

It doesn’t necessarily have to be a specific area because we can always pull motivation from testimonies but, it helps when you hear someone tell how they struggled with the same thing you struggle with and how they overcame it.

Write a list of goals down.

(Do not add a scheduled time to it…more of why to come further down on the list). Just do it and mark it off as you go. I suggest writing a list of goals down because, for me, simply remembering to do the things I want to do, in a single day, can take a backseat in my mind while other things make their way to the driver’s seat of my mind…if that makes sense. The short answer is, I don’t remember everything I need to all the time. Writing things down, whether it is calling to make a dentist appointment or, remembering to turn in a project for school or work, and then, being able to put that beautiful check next to it as a sign of your completion of said task is one of the most euphoric feelings ever!

Find someone to…not hold you accountable but, someone you can hold yourself accountable to. 

Let me break this one down because this one has helped me a lot. I once heard someone say (actually, I read this on social media somewhere), when you don’t live up to your full potential, you’re letting everyone down who sees the potential you have. You’re letting everyone down who is truly rooting for you. I thought that was an interesting statement. So, when I say, find someone you can hold yourself accountable to, here is an example of what I mean. Every day, I will share with my husband, either through text or when we talk, what I accomplished today. I tell someone who I know would be proud of me, and is rooting for me, and wouldn’t mind me sharing that with them.

At one time, I set my mind to do this 2-week challenge exercise. Well, let me first say…I did it! But, to keep myself motivated, I posted every day in the comments sections, my progress. No one asked me to do this but, I used the comment section, that I knew people would see, as a way to hold myself accountable. I don’t know if you have ever looked at the comments in the exercise videos but, there is always someone who says, “I’m going to do this challenge and I’m going to post my progress.” Then, they state, “DAY 1," and their comment follows. After that, no more comments. No more updates. No more...nothing! This prompts people to get in the comments saying… “We’re waiting! Did you finish the workout? What are your results? Helllloooo??” But when you actually do report your progress…crickets! No one says anything. Funny how that works. Anywho, find someone to hold yourself accountable to. I don’t know why it feels so good. Maybe, because it’s almost like bragging but…not.

Just give yourself 5 minutes.

I like to write. Here is a link to my author page, if you’d like to check out some good reads: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jaketa%20A.%20Brooks/author/B09VG176KV

Note: Some books are under my maiden name “McClure.” Moving on…as I stated, I like to write, but this too, was a challenge for me. So, I would tell myself, I’m just going to write for 5 minutes. Well, 5 minutes turned into 15 minutes and 15 into 30 and, so on and so forth and, what have you 😊 There were times that I’d be so into what I was doing, before I knew it, I had gone over 2 hours and I had to stop myself so I could take care of other things. All I’m saying is, just give yourself the minimum to do that “thing” and chances are, you’ll go above and beyond to the maximum.

It’s like I tricked myself into thinking I would do the bare minimum by saying, “I’m only going to write for 5 minutes” or “I’m only going to read one sentence in my bible” or “I’m only going to exercise for 5 minutes.” Now, I’ve never said that last statement lol but, you get my drift. Just tell yourself you’re only going to do 5 minutes, and I believe you will do more. 5 minutes may seem small but, it’s the same as saving $5 a day. That seems small but, in 30 days, you will have $150 more dollars than you had on day 1.

Don’t schedule a time to meet your daily goals.

Before I really dive into more discussion about this topic, I would like to note that my viewpoint on this point comes from what works best for me, as a stay-at-home mom with a 2-year-old daughter. I would love nothing more than to be able to do things at a set time, in a set order but, it doesn’t work like that for me, and I am positive, many other moms would probably agree. But, if you can…SET A SCHEDULE!

“Okay…I set my morning workout routine to 7 am and I’m going to do it now! But wait, the baby just woke up.”

“You know what, I’ll work out after I make breakfast for everyone.”

“I’m going to get a little more sleep and then, I’ll work on this project.”

“You know what, I’m too tired to get up.”

Sure, some things can be an excuse but, there are legitimate reasons why we sometimes don’t get to do what we told ourselves we would do at 7 am. Of course, if you have to go to the doctor at 9 am…go! When I say don’t schedule a time to meet your daily goals, I think about how things have worked out for me. When I try to follow a set schedule, a few things will happen.

Number 1: Life! I may not be able to start that thing at 1 pm because the baby woke up. I may not be able to do that thing at 10 am because I ran over my time doing that other thing at 9 am. I may not get to my 3 pm thing because of whatever reason I have. You get my drift?

Number 2: When I am coming close to running over my scheduled time, anxiousness tries to take over. “Oh no, 10 am is approaching but I’m still in the middle of learning my French lessons. I’m not finished! If I keep going, it’ll run over into my 10 am thing and then, that’ll run into my 11 am thing and I’ll get so behind and so off track!” It’s like a whole spiral effect of anxiousness happens when trying to keep a schedule. Now, for some people this may work. For me, not so much. Just seeing the tasks on paper let’s me know, “This is what I have to do. As long as I accomplish it, that’s a win!” This leads me to my next and shortest point.

If you don’t get to it today, don’t be so hard on yourself.

If you don’t get to it today, congratulate yourself because you got to something on that list. What you didn’t get to today, you can get to tomorrow 😊

Last but not least, congratulate yourself. Every day that you put in some kind of work towards something you are trying to accomplish, is a victory. It is a win! This will motivate you more. Again, even if it is 5 minutes…it is 5 minutes more than you did the day before. Also, even if we don’t believe it, there is a need for someone…anyone, to tell us something good about ourselves. It feels good to be congratulated, even if it is by yourself. Be kind to you!

That’s all I have for you. Sorry, I don’t have a long list of things to help you be consistent. I will tell you, as someone who has so many problems with consistency, I have been more proactive and consistent by implementing these 8 things in my life. I hope it helps you too. Please share ways that help you stay consistent. Also, let me know if any of these tips help you.