Listen, we all want to achieve our goals, but getting off track is easy. Full disclosure – this blog post is as much for me as it is for you. Whether you’re trying to start a business or stick to an improved schedule for your family, staying consistent will help you succeed. It doesn’t always feel natural, but staying consistent will become second nature once you establish the proper habits. Here are five tips for getting there.
Why is it hard to stay consistent?
I’ve been asking myself this question over and over again. I feel like I have the right tools and knowledge to set myself up for success, but I find myself overstepping my boundaries. For me, it’s hard to stay consistent because I have so many things competing for my time. As a woman juggling life, kids, business, and herself…I KNOW you can relate. While it’s not what I wanted to hear as I dove into my struggles with consistency, it’s a hard truth that I have to deal with. There will always be kids’ activities, housework, work commitments, social life, and much more. The only thing we can do is admit when we’ve fallen off, give ourselves grace, and make a plan to get back on track.
5 Tips to Help You Stay Consistent:
Figure out your motivation.
First, determine your WHY. Why is it so crucial that you remain consistent with this thing? IS it for more flexibility with your time and resources for your family? Or maybe you are stepping out in faith for the first time, and you must prove to yourself that this is it. Whatever it is, your why will always be your driving force for remaining consistent.
Next, make sure it’s something you want and not just what others want for you. Does this goal support your why? If not, perhaps it’s not a matter of consistency but an issue of relevance. Let it go if it isn’t pushing you closer to who you want or need to become.
Lastly, ensure it’s achievable with the time and resources available to you. In other words, don’t set a goal of learning how to dance if all your funds are being put towards paying off student loans!
Start Small
When you start with any goal, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You might have a million things on your to-do list, but that doesn’t mean they should all be done at once. Focus on the most important thing and do that first. Then repeat. This helps keep you focused and motivated because you’re constantly seeing progress in small increments.
For example, if you’re having difficulty being consistent with your work boundaries, like me, make a small goal to shut down work promptly at 5:00 pm every day this week.
Be Accountable
Find a friend, mentor, or group of people who are working toward the same goals as you. (I would LOVE to have you join my community on IG!) Having someone to hold us accountable for our actions is one of the most effective ways to stay consistent. We all have areas where we need help and support, so find an individual or group that can be there for you when you need them. Coaches, mentors, and partners are excellent examples who can help keep us on track by holding us accountable for our actions and decisions.
My husband is great at helping me stay consistent when it comes to my goals and even my work boundaries. He often pops his head in and reminds me that “it’s about that time.” While it’s up to me to shut down and step away, having him support me and make sure that I do what I say I’m going to do is invaluable.
Celebrate Your Success
One of the best ways to stay consistent is to celebrate your successes. This can be done by rewarding yourself with something small or celebrating with someone else. If you have a small victory, don’t downplay it; pat yourself on the back!
Celebrating allows us all to feel good about ourselves and makes us want more out of life (and these new goals) because we feel accomplished.
Set Realistic Expectations
Setting realistic expectations is a key to staying consistent. It’s not just about setting goals and sticking to them, but about setting them in a way that will create the best outcome for you.
Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind when you’re creating your plan:
- Understand your capabilities, and don’t set yourself up for failure by trying something too ambitious or out of reach at this point in time.
- Make sure the plan doesn’t overwhelm you—if it does, try breaking it into smaller chunks so that it becomes more manageable. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help!
Success lies on the other side of consistency.
I know being consistent isn’t easy, but it is possible. With the right strategy in place, you can stay on track and achieve your goals – no matter how big or small! The key is understanding what motivates you and creating a plan that works for your needs, goals, and capabilities.
Tell me, what helps you stay consistent? Comment below!
XOXO, JD
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