Consistency

I was at the allotment yesterday and kept thinking about consistency — in this case the lack of it and how that had impacted the garden. I’d been on holiday, and apart from giving the whole plot a really good soaking before I went away, I had done nothing on the plot for two weeks. It showed. The grass surrounding the beds had grow long; the weeds had made themselves at home in all the beds. And of course, the snails, slugs and the birds had found a few ready meals in my absence.? It made me aware of how important it is to be consistent, not just in nurturing a garden plot, but also in our professional and personal lives.?

What does it really mean?

As always, I like to get back to basics and explore the origins of the word and how it’s come to mean what it does today.? Consistency comes from the Latin ‘consistere’,? a combination of con meaning with and sistere, meaning taking a stand. Literally, consistency is a ‘standing together’,? from the early 18th century, it came to mean ‘steady adherence to principles, patterns of action’? And it’s this meaning I’m referring to when I speak of consistency.

It’s what we do, the principles and values we adhere to —? the patterns of behaviour consistent with those principles and values that either ensure we realise our goals, or we don’t.? I know, for example, that I need to invest a couple of hours every few days to keep on top of the weeding at the allotment during the summer months; to strim the grass, feed my fruit and veg and harvest the crops when they are at their peak.? When I do this on a regular basis, I’m acting consistent with my commitment to grow and reap the rewards of a healthy and ample harvest.

When I don’t, I’m no longer acting consistent with that commitment;. However, I am still acting consistently, just in adherence with another principle or pattern of action. The 'I’m too tired tonight and need to rest’ principle. The ’it’s raining now, I’ll do it tomorrow’ excuse.? These can and do scupper progress in realising the outcome.

Consistency, whilst really important, is not enough.

Sometimes we can act consistently, thinking we are on principle, and yet we fail to reach those goals we set for ourselves. Not for lack of commitment; not for lack of consistency. Rather because we’re adhering to a method or system that isn’t fit for purpose. It’s just not good enough to get us where we want to go.? A case in point is my business. For many years, I ran it as only I knew how. Making progress, yet feeling always as if I was coming from behind. Never really making either the impact or the income I wanted. I was consistent in what I was doing, but stalled.?

I needed a better system. One that could break me free of stalled and take me forward to a whole new level of impact and influence. When I found that, and began consistently to apply those principles and methods to my business, things really took off.? True to my values, consistent to a methodology that works, everything is in flow.

My conclusion: when coupled with and inspired by your values, and directed through systems that work, consistency is essential in realising your goals.?

If you’re stalled in your career, why not have a short call with me? (Link under my profile above). Let’s get you aligned with the values and principles that most matter to you, and consistently taking the right action to accelerate your career. It’s your choice; always a choice.

Almira

P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are a couple of? ways in which we can help you lead a richer, more fulfilling professional and personal life.

1. For instant relief from a few of those everyday challenges, try these One Minute Wonders (they’re designed to satisfy several needs at once).
2. Feeling undervalued? Not fully acknowledged for the contribution you make? Join us on 18 September for the next Career Accelerator workshop, and discover how to own and communicate your value and Get Paid your Worth. ?