There are so many ways we can rely on consistency to improve our quality of life: working out, eating right, reading a few pages every day, etc. Why do we delay? Why do we make excuses? Why is it so easy to overlook that the struggle of the journey IS the success? When mothers display consistency in our own lives, we model this “easy-button for goal fulfillment” for our children to imitate.
Consistency is Key to Success
Inspired by an amazing idea, getting started is easy. When the initial hype dies down, how do we remain committed? It’s very simple for some people but very difficult for so many more: just do the thing. Every. Single. Day. When we don’t see immediate returns, it’s easy to tell ourselves, “There’s always tomorrow.” Ironically, the days we take off are the days that make the difference. When something truly matters, we owe to ourselves to hunker down and do what needs to be done. Consistency is the single most reliable indicator of whether or not we will accomplish our goals.
Extreme Ownership
We prioritize air. If we want something as badly as we want to breathe, we will have it. As we pursue our goals, we can blame others… or we can assume responsibility for owning every part of the process. When talented people fall short, it’s usually for one reason: lack of consistency. In his book, Extreme Ownership, American author, Jocko Willink wrote, “You have to be vigilant. You have to be on guard. You have to hold the line on the seemingly insignificant little things—things that shouldn’t matter—but that do.”
Internalizing Consistency
More than most habits, consistency comes from within, making it very difficult to “teach.” No matter what we want in life, every single human being can set our course and go full-steam ahead, refusing to succumb to any obstacle that threatens to interfere with our daily forward progress.
Teaching Consistency
Removing complications and stay focused. Simplicity equals sustainability. Value progress over perfection. One way or another, mom’s standards are on display. By telling friends and family about our goals, we can set boundaries to protect our pursuits, effectively teaching our loved ones to respect our journey. This might sound a little crazy, but imagine if every single day, looking into our own eyes in the mirror, we and our children repeated these two mind-hack “I will” statements to ourselves…
“Today and every day, I will be someone people can count on.”
“Today and every day, I will make the necessary sacrifices to achieve my goals.”
Summary
There is one exceedingly simple way to maintain consistency. Rather than trying to be fueled by the outcome, be driven by the process. Allow that which demands our consistency to become one with our conscious existence. Sometimes, we just aren’t in the mood; this is the weakness of human nature telling us we deserve an “off-day” or “there’s always tomorrow.” Remember this in the deepest part of the heart: when we set an achievable goal and voluntarily give ourselves over to the process, success is inevitable. Consistency is a choice. American entrepreneur, Eddie Pinero, says, “No endeavor is a coin flip when you use a double-headed quarter.” With inconsistency, we tend to lose. With consistency, we tend to win.
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” —1 Corinthians 15:58 CSB
The 7 Habits of Happy Kids by Sean Covey, illustrated by Stacy Curtis (5 – 8 years
Sean Covey uses beautifully illustrated stories to bring his family’s successful philosophy to the youngest child.
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink & Leaf Babin
In gripping firsthand accounts of heroism, tragic loss, and hard-won victories in SEAL Team Three’s Task Unit Bruiser, they learned that leadership—at every level—is the most important factor in whether a team succeeds or fails. Extreme Ownership challenges leaders everywhere to fulfill their ultimate purpose: lead and win.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey
One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has transformed the lives of presidents and CEOs, educators and parents—in short, millions of people of all ages and occupations across the world.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey (12 – 17 years)
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens is the ultimate teenage success guide—now updated for the digital age.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, being more productive, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. By harnessing this science, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives.
Finish What You Start: The Art of Following Through, Taking Action, Executing, & Self-Discipline
by Peter Hollins
A deep dive into the psychology and science of accomplishment, productivity, and getting things done, Finish What You Start takes a thorough look why we are sometimes stuck, giving detailed, step by step solutions you can start using today.
PLEASE NOTE: As an Amazon Associate, Mothers Truly Matter earns from qualifying purchases. The information in this post should not be construed as providing specific psychiatric, psychological, or medical advice, but rather to offer readers information to better understand the lives and health of themselves and their children. It is not intended to provide an alternative to professional treatment or to replace the services of a physician, psychiatrist, or psychotherapist.
