Today I wanted to focus on a subject I have run many sessions on in the past and one that I believe I will continue to learn about every day.

Consistency – What is consistency? What does it look like to you? I want you to get a pen out and follow me with this for just a moment. Does consistency feel like the grind or does it feel like success? It is something you should do, or something you must do?

Each and every year when the clock strikes midnight on the 31st December we all raise a glass to a new year and set out our aims and ambitions for the year to come. How many of these seem like something you might have said:

1. I’m going to lose weight and make myself healthier this year!
2. I’ve always wanted to learn a second language, this is the year it’s going to happen!
3. This is the year I’ll learn to love myself for who I am!
4. Nothing is going to stop me from getting that promotion this year!

Now how many times in recent years have you had the best of intentions to make these happen, but for some reason it just hasn’t? I have one word for you…. Consistency!

To me consistency means not just developing a habit but sticking to it no matter what. Imagine if a version of yourself who you made all these promises to was watching you 24 hours per day, 365 days a year.
Do you think they would let you skip a gym session as you’ve had a long day at work? Hell no! They’d tell you to remember why you made yourself these promises in the first place, remember that wedding dress you’d like to fit into, or that confidence you need to gain to take your children swimming.
No goal is achieved by doing something a single time, it is achieved by making small changes CONSISTENTLY.

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.”

Tony Robbins

The above quote is from one of the most influential self development coaches in the world and how does this link to my point?
If you go to the gym for a week, how do you feel? A bit tired, sore, achy?
If you go for a month how do you feel? Do you start to see minor differences? Do you start to feel more confident.
Now I think you’re starting to get my point, over the period of a year do you see differences in your body composition, differences in your mental health as well as your physical appearance? Every small habit make a big difference over time.

The next time you press that snooze button just remember all that hard work you’re throwing away! If the petrol light in your car was flashing what would you do? Fill it up, I hope! Why is that? Quite simple, because if you don’t you’re going to break down and therefore not reach your end destination. Now imagine this is your life, and for the first time ever you realise it is indeed you who makes the difference and not your boss or your aunt of your neighbours dog for that matter!

These goals you set yourself are a “MUST”, not a “should”.

Do any of these look familiar to you?
1. I should stick to my diet but I suppose one treat won’t hurt
2. I should start my work tonight, but hell one more night is okay
3. I should go to the gym but I’ve had a long day…..

NEVER use the word “should”! Anything that is important to you is a “MUST”!
Has anyone ever said “I should breath?” Hell no! You MUST breath to stay alive. Do you say to yourself in the morning “I should wake up for work?” No! If you do I have just answered why you’re currently unemployed! You must wake up for work or you’re getting a P45 and a car park chat!

Just remember life is a gift, treat every moment as that and you will find it a lot easier to be consistent in the things that matter to you.
I hope if nothing else this has given you something to think about……. I “MUST” not I “SHOULD”.