LINK TO PODCAST EPISODE HERE -> https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/K1O8asIRGwb
In today’s episode of the Inspiration2grow podcast I am talking about the problem of the vast majority – how to be consistent. I conducted a little survey on social media, and 8 out of 10 said they were currently struggling with consistency or had struggled in the past. So, I asked those who had overcome their struggle with consistency to share with us ways that helped them. I will also share some of my own experiences and spice to the discussion as well.
The question was… in ONE sentence, what is your best advice for someone who is struggling with consistency?
I’ll start by giving you the one-liner responses I received, then I will expand on the concept a bit myself.
1. Get up early and eat the frog fast.
For those of you who have never heard of or read the book by Brian Tracy “Eat That Frog: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done is Less Time” – this piece of advice is referring to eating the frog first OR in other words, tackle the biggest, most daunting task first thing and get it over with. The rest will feel easy.
Tracy’s book is based on the principle that ->
It’s time to stop procrastinating and get more of the important things done! After all, successful people don’t try to do everything. They focus on their most important tasks and get those done. They eat their frogs.
There’s an old saying that if the first thing you do each morning is eat a live frog, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re done with the worst thing you’ll have to do all day. For Tracy, eating a frog is a metaphor for tackling your most challenging task—but also the one that can have the greatest positive impact on your life.
2. Get into the mindset of relying on your own inner discipline, and consistency will start to happen really quickly.
The D-word -> DISCIPLINE. Whether you like to hear it or not, it does play a major role in establishing a new habit consistently. You see, discipline should be treated or considered a muscle. You have to train it, and force it to grow.
Everyone begins feeling motivated to start something new, whether it is a new hobby, a new sport, playing an instrument, or a workout routine. We feel an initial spark that piques our interest and gets us to take the first steps. BUT, motivation will not keep us going at a consistent pace. You will need to develop a solid discipline muscle as well as integrity to show up even when the going gets tough.
One way to strengthen your discipline muscle is to plan on doing the task, hobby, workout, practice session – whatever it is – at the same time every day, NO MATTER WHAT!
So, you’ll have to be realistic what time of day that will be. Could it happen first thing in the morning before the day becomes busy and hectic? Could it happen later on in the evening when the children are in bed and the day has quieted down? You know your schedule best, so choose a time that works best and will not be interrupted.
Make this new habit a daily recurring task – make it non-negotiable. Tell everyone in your family that you have reserved this time for yourself. You are unavailable because you have an important appointment with your GOALS.
3. Keep struggling, but never quit.
You have to realize that not every single day will be perfect, at least your vision of ‘perfect’. I would suggest you reframe your thinking in this regard.
Showing up for yourself and executing the new habit in some way, shape or form is PERFECT. That’s the perfection you should aim for.
What I mean by this is: One push-up a day for the rest of your life is better than no push-ups for the rest of your life. I know, I know, I know that once again I am using a fitness example. However, this holds true for any hobby or habit too.
Just the other day, unfortunately I can’t recall where I heard this or who used this example, but basically, they said, “If your goal is to start flossing your teeth, start by only flossing ONE tooth each day.” That’s all. Do this simple action until it becomes a habit.
If you want to start eating healthier, start by eating one fruit or vegetables as a snack each day. No more, no less -> just do that every day.
If you want to become a writer, just write one sentence a day. That’s all. Just one. You’re done. Rinse and repeat every day.
Giving 10% is better than giving 0%.
Consistency doesn’t mean giving your all each day. That’s striving for perfection and we all know, this isn’t realistic.
It can be…. Monday 100%
Tuesday… 56%
Wednesday … 20%
Thursday … 45%
Friday … 70%
Saturday … 12%
Sunday … 100%
Just make sure you do the smallest thing you can do every day.
4. Figure out how to break it/your habit down.
Once people realize how to break down their goals into much smaller manageable chunks, the task seems far less overwhelming and the steps you need to take are far easier.
This point ties into the one I mentioned above about one sentence a day, completing just one exercise for one minute a day to begin a workout routine, learn one new word a day if your goal is to study a foreign language.
Start small, even smaller than you imagine. Then build yourself up. Create that inner momentum and slowly, but surely you can increase your commitment over time.
The key to consistency is showing up without giving up. Make it hard for yourself to give up & easy to show up.
5. Remove the friction around this new habit or goal of yours.
You might feel some kind of tension or friction that gets in the way of being consistent with your goal. This friction will have to be nipped it the bud or eliminated.
First off, prepare your things the night before. Failing to plan is planning to fail. So, get everything you need ready in order to create a pleasant experience or activity the following day.
Maybe that is prepping your food, laying out your workout clothes, getting the coffee maker ready to perk, jotting down the top tasks for the next day (the M.I.Ts -> most important tasks to tackle), journal a bit on how you want to show up for yourself the next day.
Lower your expectations until you reach a spot of NO FRICTION, an ‘easy-breezy-lemon-squeezy’ level of action that you can take. For example, if you want to read – then just commit to reading ONE page.
If exercising 10 minutes is too hard, commit to only 5.
If 5 minutes is too hard to start with, commit to 2 minutes.
Make is as easy and enjoyable as you possibly can.
Don’t push yourself to go bigger than you are able to commit to. Reduce your expectations to a minimum. I know that sounds really strange, but consistency is born through doing the smallest task regularly over time. This is how habits are formed, ones that will stick with you for the long-term.
You don’t need to climb the entire mountain in one day. Completing just 10 steps a day is better than 50 steps in one sitting and then burning out.
The days you work (on your goals and habits) matter more than how much work you do in one day.
I would also like to invite you to become part of the Inspiration2grow community on Facebook. The group name is: Inspiration2grow for Female Goal-getters. It is meant to be a community of like-minded women who want to grow strong from the inside out. There will be daily journalling prompts, nutrition and fitness tips, exercises to try, encouraging conversations among the community and lots more. So, be sure to join this group for support, new ideas and the necessary rocket fuel to propel your health and wellness to new heights.
You owe it to yourself to take care of yourself, show up for yourself and become the best version of YOU.
In case you haven’t heard it yet today, let me be the first to tell you…
You are incredible, capable and your potential is limitless. Never forget that I believe in you 100%. Now, go out there and show the world what you are truly made of.
I hope to have inspired you to grow.
Til next time,
Lisa xoxo
