Don’t Be an Opportunist. Be Consistent Instead.

The word “consistency” came to mind strongly when I was preparing material for ‘Lead to Scale.’ In my opinion, building something requires consistency, perseverance, focus, and not being swayed by every new thing that comes our way.

When I first started my coffee business, In The Bag, one of the strongest messages my parents conveyed to me was, “Flo, be consistent. If you believe in your product, stay consistent. Don’t rush to start something new. Build your business one step at a time. Those who build a business without consistency end up with nothing.” At first, hearing this, I felt like saying, “What do they know about my big dreams!” But as time went on, and I reflected on each word, complete with the tone of their voices echoing in my ears and mind, I realized how important this message was. It still resonates with me to this day.

Consistency is often underestimated. Why? Because today, we see young people achieving success at an early age, owning multiple businesses, and seemingly having it all. We feel that this is the new standard of success, especially when it can be achieved quickly and instantly. And eventually, we feel that if we can’t meet this standard, we’re falling behind.

Through this article, I want to share my perspective on all of this. It might sound like an elder giving advice to a child, but really… Don’t be easily distracted by wealth or instant results. I am among those who believe that anything that grows too quickly is easily shaken, and in the end, it disappears or collapses just as fast! (Believe it or not).

I also want to convey something to startup founders and entrepreneurs: Don’t be too impressed with your network or connections. Why? So that we don’t become too dependent on them, consciously or unconsciously believing they are everything we need to achieve our goals. Or, in other words, don’t use people solely for your benefit. Everything should be mutual and respectful. Trust me, you’re not the first person to try to use someone as a connection for personal gain.

Okay, back to consistency. We don’t need to be opportunists who say yes to everything laid on the table. We need to know our capacities and limitations. Yes, opportunities don’t always come twice, but not everything should be accepted either! Because when you say yes to one thing, you’re saying no to others. It could be your family, your core business, or something else. So, just stay in your lane, on your path, and be really good at what you’re doing. Just keep moving, one step at a time. Consistently.