The Power of Consistency

Would you rather have $3 million, or a penny that doubles in value every day for thirty days?

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And why?

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For all those who love instant gratification, the answer is obvious.

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You'll hear famous sayings like "A bird at hand is better than twenty in the sky."

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However, take a second to think about it, and consider what that penny will amount to in 30 days!

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The Math: Patience Pays Off

Let's do the math, shall we?

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So, a penny is $0.01, and it doubles every day.

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$0.01*2

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In 30 days:

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$0.01*2^30 = $10,737,418.24

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If you delay gratification for 30 days, that amounts to $10,737,418.24.

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The truth is that the 30 days will roll by anyway.

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It's not like the world is coming to an end.

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The Power of Patience in Everyday Life

Similarly, in our lives, we go through situations that require that we exercise patience.

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And I've said numerous times that patience is a skill worth mastering.

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There is an obsession in our world today with getting things done at lightning speed.

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We've all seen billboards on the highway saying speed kills, and not only for automobile drivers.

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It's almost like no one cares about sustainability anymore.

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Fast Money vs. Sustainable Success

American rapper MC Hammer, according to the Mirror, blew through an estimated fortune of $70 million in under five years.

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This is a classic example of a meteoric rise leading to a precipitous fall from grace.

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Fast money, whether legal or illegal, can be detrimental to even the most disciplined people in the world.

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In contrast, small, consistent actions repeated over a long period of time often lead to real and sustainable success.

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Building Trust and Consistency

I once heard someone define integrity as consistency in our thoughts, words, and actions.

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This means that there is an alignment in our thinking, the words we speak, and the actions we take.

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And, in truth, when you are consistent, you trust yourself more.

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Your colleagues, employees, stakeholders, and customers trust you because you're consistent.

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People usually make hiring decisions based on experience.

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Why?

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You guessed right, consistency!

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It's the same reason you want an experienced doctor to treat you.

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How to be Consistent

It's easy to tell someone to remain consistent, but how?

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Consistency helps to create a robust and recognizable brand image and establish a reputation for reliability and dependability.

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It stems from the foundation of having a clear set of values and principles guiding your decisions and actions.

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Your foundation is your root, and it helps you stand your ground even when life throws its worst challenges and obstacles at you.

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Examples of Consistency Leading to Success

• LeBron James: In his 20th year in the NBA, LeBron James recently surpassed the former all-time scorer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with an impressive new record of 38,411 points. I can imagine Lebron putting in the work every day, even when he didn't feel like it. I'm sure consistency had a role to play in that.

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• J.K. Rowling: Another example is J.K. Rowling's story, which is a testament to the power of consistency and perseverance. Several publishers rejected her, and she could have easily given up on her dream of publishing a book. However, she remained persistent, submitting her manuscript to different publishers until, finally, one saw the potential in her work. Had she not remained determined and consistent in pursuing her dream, none of us would have had the privilege of reading or watching the Harry Potter series, which became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring countless readers and film adaptations.

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• Warren Buffet: I will be remiss if I fail to talk about one of my mentors, Warren Buffet. He is a mentor to many of my mentors. I call him the mentor's mentor. His success as an investor is primarily due to his consistent and disciplined investment approach. He has a set of principles and values that he follows religiously, even in the face of market volatility and uncertainty. A few years ago, Warren Buffet sat on about $100 billion in cash. While many pundits said he was losing his Midas touch, Warren remained patient. Warren Buffet quickly proved his correctness once more. Despite the market's collapse, he found himself back in the market, purchasing stocks at extremely low prices. Time and again, his consistency and steadfastness have earned him the reputation of being one of the most reliable and successful investors of all time.

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The Role Consistency Played in My Life

In my personal life, I've seen the power of consistency pay huge dividends.

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When I wanted to get in shape in 2018, I knew I needed to be consistent with my workout program and diet.

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At the time, I worked two jobs and would close at 10:30 PM, but I still spent at least an hour in the gym before going to bed.

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In my book, the fact that I was standing all day and tired wasn't an acceptable excuse.

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Which is why I find it difficult to sympathize with those who use work as an excuse not to take their physical health seriously.

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I've said it repeatedly: Dead men do not walk, talk, or even work.

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Working from 8 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. and standing all day would have been the perfect excuse not to train, and many people would agree that there was no time to work out, but that was just unacceptable.

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I needed to set time aside for physical activity and eat a healthy, balanced diet, even when I was busy or tired.

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Over time, this consistency has paid off, and we all see the results of my hard work in improved health and fitness.

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The Importance of Consistency in Your Life

Consistency really is a powerful force that can help you succeed in all areas of your life.

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Do a bit of introspection and try to find out if there is anything you ever got good at that didn't require consistency.

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I'm 100 percent sure you won't find anything because the evidence simply does not exist.

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Embrace Consistency for Success

Whether you're a CEO, an entrepreneur, or just starting your career journey, I encourage you to embrace the power of consistency and make it a cornerstone of your success strategy.

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Remember, overnight successes usually fall from grace fast, but sustainable success results from small, consistent actions repeated over a long period of time.

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So, stay consistent and focused, and, most importantly, stay true to your values and principles.?

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This is Christopher Njokanma, signing off.

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Every week, I stay committed to providing value for you. Remember, my daring reader, to Like, Comment, and Share this article, for it might be the boost someone needs to remain consistent. Stay tuned for more awe-inspiring insights and discoveries in the captivating world of unconventional success.

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Christopher is the President @ Cloud 98 - We power your brand's growth by harmonizing content and conversion.