Consistency—it’s one of those words that sounds so simple but feels nearly impossible to nail down sometimes, right?
A few months back, I hit a wall with my own routines. I was juggling classes, freelance gigs, and trying to make time for my side hustle. No matter how much I wanted to stick to a plan, something would always come up—a last-minute deadline, a family event, or just plain old exhaustion. It felt like life was in constant conflict with my goals.
Does that sound familiar?
At first, I thought the answer was more discipline. I set stricter schedules, tried waking up at dawn, pushed myself to work even when I was mentally drained. But honestly? It only made things harder. Eventually, I learned that consistency isn’t just about pushing through; it’s about creating a routine that actually fits your life.
Finding What Works for You
The first breakthrough came when I accepted that I’m more productive at night. Instead of fighting it, I rearranged my schedule. I’d tackle my hardest tasks in the evening when I felt most focused. In the mornings, I allowed myself some breathing room—catching up on emails, organizing my day, and easing into things.
Being flexible with my “ideal” routine allowed me to be more consistent with my efforts. And the funny thing? Once I stopped trying to follow everyone else’s schedule, I actually became more disciplined.
The Power of Tiny Habits
Another lesson I learned was the power of starting small. Instead of setting a massive goal, I focused on creating micro-habits. If I wanted to write for my blog, I’d aim to write for just 10 minutes a day. On days when I was drained, I’d still sit down and write, even if it was just a few sentences. These small actions may seem trivial, but they add up over time.
The best part? Once the habit becomes a part of your routine, it starts feeling easier to build upon. That 10 minutes turned into 20, and some days, even an hour. So, if you’re trying to stay consistent, ask yourself: What’s the smallest step you can take today?
Handling the Unexpected
Life, as we all know, doesn’t care about our plans. Whether it’s a sudden change in workload or just feeling burnt out, there are times when things don’t go according to plan. Instead of seeing these moments as setbacks, I started viewing them as chances to reset.
If I missed a few days, I didn’t beat myself up. I’d look at what threw me off and find a way to adapt. Maybe that meant working on a lighter task instead or giving myself permission to rest and recharge.
Celebrating Progress
Staying consistent doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. Over time, I learned to appreciate the progress I was making rather than stressing over what I hadn’t done. Every step forward, even the small ones, brought me closer to my goals. Celebrating these wins kept me motivated, even on the toughest days.
So, if you’re trying to be more consistent, remember this: Find what works for you, take small steps, and don’t stress about perfection. Just keep showing up, and over time, those little actions will add up to big results.
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