Last week I took a moment to reflect on my journey in writing. I started sharing articles on LinkedIn in January 2020. I was inspired by the tragic accident that took the life of Kobe Bryant. (Go back and read it, it was a GOOD article!). Reading that article prompted me to think about what I wrote. Over the course of the last 2 years, I’ll admit I haven’t been consistent in my writing. I would start, then stop and then feel bad about not continuing, eventually not doing anything at all. Sound familiar?
It is so easy to have good intentions, to start something with so much hope, only to fizzle out a few days or weeks later. What stops us from being consistent? How can you change the cycle of life being busy to a life that is productive? I don’t have all the answers, but here’s what I can share:
- Change doesn’t happen overnight. If you set a big goal that is so far-fetched, you’ll give up easily. So instead, commit to a small change. For example, instead of exercising for 30 minutes everyday, set a goal of exercising 20 minutes, 5 days a week. You get to choose the time of day, and which days. If you meet ½ your goal, you’re still winning. Baby steps are still steps.
- Set yourself up so success is inevitable. If your goal is to exercise in the mornings, set your clothes out and your shoes the night before. Put the water in your bottle so that all you have to do is grab it from the refrigerator and get out the door. Minimize any and all distractions as much as possible.
- Focus on how you will feel when you’ve accomplished the task. A lot of times we get distracted or fall off the journey because we get overwhelmed by thinking of all the things we have to do to get to where we want to be. Channel the energy of how you’ll feel at the end and use this mental picture to push through on difficult days.
- Recognize every day won’t be perfect. If you wait until all the stars are in alignment in the universe you may never accomplish anything. Learning to work through less than perfect conditions and situations builds resilience. So, take a deep breath, reassess and keep going forward.
- Be a doer. At times we can get caught up in developing the plan, but we fail to execute. Avoid spending too much time learning, planning, and thinking. Simply come up with a decent plan and work it with enthusiasm. Taking action on a decision is one of the most valuable skills you can develop in life. Think about the most successful people you know. Are they thinkers or doers?
Take a step back to evaluate your processes. Ask yourself the question “What’s been getting in the way of my success?” I realized that even though I may have faltered a few times in being consistent, I was still able to get back on track. What I’ve shared may not be new information for you. It might be the gentle reminder that you need to reset so you can be consistent again. What do you do when you’re not being as consistent as you want to be? Drop a comment below.