One of the things I failed miserably at in the past, is being consistent.

From attempting ‘Facebook blogging’ to launching a YouTube channel, and a host of other projects I have taken on and never saw through. Keeping at anything for that long has always seemed like a herculean task. For some reason, I couldn’t keep the momentum up. Frankly speaking, one of the secondary purposes of this blog is that it is a personal experiment at showing up. It is safe to say I have fared pretty well thus far:)

The consistent pattern of inconsistency across various things I initiated became increasingly obvious and it got me concerned. It definitely wasn’t because I lacked passion for these things, nor was I lazy about them. In fact, these are the very things that get me excited. So why was it so difficult to stay at it for longer?

Well, as you might have guessed, I sought to get to the root of it.

So I put on my detective hat… and subsequent investigative analysis based on the data procured from personal experiences coupled with external information sourced from scoping related YouTube videos and other relevant media content was sufficient enough to shed light on the matter and gave insight on possible causes and solutions to my looming crisis. I then proceeded to process my findings under adequate parameters and advanced to practically apply the results across the board.

Okay, enough of all the formal rants… Detective hat off:)

Motivation vs. Discipline

Of course, many things are exciting at the start, but as soon as the dopamine release associated with novelty begins to wear off, it would require more than the initial motivation that got you started to keep you going. The initial excitement that got the ball rolling isn’t sustainable and is suddenly exhausted. Another supply of fuel is required to keep things moving. That fuel is discipline.

It is like starting a car. Motivation is the ignition spark that sets things in motion but isn’t enough in itself to get the car going. Without sufficient fuel — in this case, discipline—, it wouldn’t be long before it comes to a halt, whether or not you arrive at your destination.

Discipline is the force that keeps us going when our motivation is low. It’s that extra work we put in when we don’t feel like it. It’s that “one more” we give when it seems like there’s nothing left. Discipline isn’t all that fun in itself, but the results it brings makes it worth cultivating. It can also be difficult to cultivate as it means showing up even when you don’t feel like it. The good news, however, is that it is possible to build discipline – one block at a time.

Many things can help one stay consistent at anything. But for this discussion, I’ll talk about the top two that have helped me the most thus far.

Accountability

Back in October when I eventually made up my mind to launch the blog site, I expressed my intentions to a senior friend with whom I bounce off most of my ideas. Having observed all my previous failed attempts, he was almost certain I wasn’t going to make it past three posts — three! Now, his predictions were very much justified. But beyond that heartbreaking revelation of how terribly inconsistent I was, I was more interested in having him hold me accountable so I don’t slack up as usual.

And after I made it public, I became accountable to everyone anticipating a new post every Sunday. Now, I don’t have a choice but to show up, whether I feel like it or not. The fact that the schedule is fixed also helps in enabling that I don’t slip up. Having a structure helps with keeping you in check as well, but it is easy to defy your structure if you aren’t accountable to anybody.

Knowing that you have to answer to someone – or a group of people– has a way of keeping you on your toes. The awareness that more eyes are on you and are expecting results gives you an increased sense of responsibility and this, in turn, sponsors action. Staying accountable is an easy way of outsourcing the strength needed to remain disciplined to a cause.

Done is Better than Perfect

The perfectionists will come for my head on this one. But before y’all do, be rest assured that I am one of you – even though I’ve been working my exit from the clan for some time now.

I stumbled on the phrase “Done is better than perfect” sometime last year, and it took me some time to come to terms with it. I mean, if the work ain’t perfect, what’s the point of putting it out?

Well, I would later learn that it is almost impossible to produce things at the highest standard all the time. More often than not, your work will fall short of your ‘standard of excellence’. I previously considered this as failing, but I now regard it as an indicator that there is more learning to do. Most times, we overestimate our capabilities or underestimate the work needed to produce the results we desire, only to go in and realize that there is more to it than meet the eye.

It is necessary to understand that everything, including life itself, is a process. This understanding helps ease off the pressure to bring come up with a masterpiece every single time. It also gives room for growth. Knowing that you can always get better at something motivates you to keep giving it your best until you eventually attain the level of output you desire. This takes time and a lot of ‘showing up’ to achieve. Start small, go at a convenient growth pace, keep at it, and soon enough, the big results you set out to achieve become your norm.

In Summary…

Showing up consistently on your goals and dreams is the only way to achieve them.

Show up when it’s favorable, show up when it’s not,
Show up when you feel like it, show up when you don’t,
Show up when the going is smooth, show up when it’s rough,
Show up every day, show it that you’re tough.

What’s the one thing you need to show up more at?