The Journey of Consistency, Discipline, and Resilience
We often talk about consistency, discipline, and resilience, but do we really get what they mean? It's easy to throw these words around, but living them is another story. How do we train our minds to be consistent, turn that into discipline, and make it a habit? And when life throws distractions or cheat days at us, how do we stay resilient without losing our cool?
A few years back, my ex-boss called me resilient. I was surprised and didn't know if it was a compliment or just a polite way of saying I was stubborn. So, like anyone curious, I googled it. Turns out, it fit me perfectly and started my journey of self-discovery.
Back then, I was trying to learn and understand the business world. When my boss said I was resilient, it made me think about my habits. Some of them, which I thought were bad, turned out to be blessings in disguise. For example, I always chased things—when I say chased, I mean I followed up persistently until I got an answer, yes or no.
I was confident and didn't worry about judgments or mockery, which is huge. Nowadays, being yourself can feel like auditioning for a reality show called "Mumbai's Next Big Thing."
Consistency is doing the same thing over and over until it becomes second nature. Before that happens, you'll face many challenges. These obstacles test your determination and show you how much you want to reach your goals. It's like trying to teach a cat to fetch—tough but not impossible.
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Consistency leads to discipline. When you keep doing something regularly, it becomes automatic. Eventually, this disciplined practice turns into a habit. When you combine consistency, discipline, and habit, you become resilient. It’s like mastering a dance routine, but with more practice and fewer missteps.
This process isn't just for one part of life; it works for various good habits that can bring positive changes. Imagine using this approach in different areas of your life, turning each action into a powerful habit. It's not about debating which habits are good or bad—that's subjective. What's important is finding habits that help you grow and improve, even if they don't suit everyone. Self-improvement is like navigating the bustling streets of Mumbai, or imagine Crawford Market during festival season, complete with motivational signs and the occasional vada pav break.
Reflecting on my journey, I've realized resilience is about embracing growth, even when it feels like dealing with Mumbai's traffic. Setbacks and challenges are part of the adventure. They test our commitment and, like a plot twist, make us stronger. By consistently working towards our goals, staying disciplined, and developing good habits, we can transform our lives and achieve long-term success—like creating a blockbuster, but with more effort and fewer retakes.
In the end, the journey to self-improvement is like an endless obstacle course, full of ups and downs. But it's this rollercoaster ride that shapes us into resilient individuals. By understanding the value of consistency, discipline, and resilience, we can navigate life's complexities with confidence, humor, and determination that rivals a dabbawala on a tight schedule.
Professor | Author | Interdisciplinary | Mental Health
2 个月While resilience is an admirable trait, there’s a thin line between resilience and inflexibility. Sometimes, an overemphasis on "sticking to it" can lead to burnout or blind persistence. This is where adaptability complements resilience. For example, a Harvard Business Review article (2021) argued that resilience must be paired with flexibility to be sustainable. A resilient person might push through a failing project for too long, while an adaptable person recognizes when to pivot. Your ex-boss might have seen your persistence as resilience, but a counter-perspective could view it as a potential overcommitment to outcomes. This doesn't diminish your trait but suggests a balance between determination and strategic withdrawal. And, As you rightly point out, habits are subjective. What works for one might not work for another. For example, some thrive on structured schedules, while others need spontaneity to stay motivated. A Gallup poll (2021) revealed that only 22% of people strongly agree that they manage their time well. This suggests that while consistency and discipline are ideal, individual methods of implementation vary widely.