Consistency is Key – #5
"Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time." – John C. Maxwell
Success does not magically appear overnight, regardless of your perception. Years of hard work, dedication, and often failures eventually lead to success. We tend to focus on and see the end product rather than the work.
Show Up
Step one: show up. Simple, right?
We may be physically present, but how often are we actually showing up and giving our best effort? Showing up is not just physically being in the room but making an effort to bring your best self and contribute to what you and the group are working to accomplish. We have all been in meetings where there is one person whose sole contribution is a “thanks team” at the end of the call. While they may have been on the call, they certainly didn’t show up.
Winner’s and Loser’s Game
I recently read about the winner’s and loser’s game view on life. While I don’t love the name, the principles are important.
In a winner’s game, you win by doing something incredible, like a professional golfer making an amazing shot to take the lead.
In a loser’s game, you win by avoiding mistakes. Using golf as an example, it’s the average golfer not melting down on the back nine and triple bogeying every hole. I bet that if you could go out and shoot par right now, you would be very happy with yourself. This wouldn’t win you any major tournaments, but you didn’t make unforced errors, and you would still be an incredibly skilled golfer by any comparison.
Life is, for lack of a better term, a loser’s game. We should strive to be consistent and avoid unforced errors, not because we are not capable of more, but because unforced errors are what will throw us off track.
Groundhog Day
"No man steps in the same river twice." – Heraclitus
The above is true if you consider that the river is always moving and changing, just as you are ever-changing, both from a biological standpoint of your cells regenerating and your mindset evolving. So, while we are talking about consistency, it doesn’t mean you live a reenactment of the movie “Groundhog Day.”
Showing up and putting in the work every day may seem like you are on repeat, but really dissect the work you are doing. No two situations are the same. Use the historical knowledge you have gained, but know that you need to have a unique perspective on the situation you face that day.
Being Consistent
Set your non-negotiable list: What is it that you are unwilling to miss, allow, or do? For me, I wake up at 4:30 every morning, exercise every day, attend my kids' events, and have dinner with my family. Make your list and execute.
Develop a routine: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” – James Clear. Create a routine that allows you to be successful. Everyone’s will be unique.
Start small: Don’t jump in to do everything all at once. 1% better every day will compound over weeks, months, and years. No need to burn yourself out at the starting gates.
Everything will change if you stick to being consistent. Perfection isn’t the goal; consistency is. Don’t try to be perfect; try to be better than you were yesterday.
Additional Resources and Thoughts:
Book: Ikigai – The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles - Buy here
Podcast: The Peter Attia Drive - #309 AI in Medicine – Listen here
Stoicism of the Day: "Do not act as if you had ten thousand years to throw away. Death stands at your elbow. Be good for something while you live and it is in your power." — Marcus Aurelius
Don’t waste your days. Contribute where you can and how you can, whatever that may be.