Consistency is a positive character that needs to be developed and implemented in everyday life. Determining specific goals and the steps that need to be taken to achieve them are important aspects in achieving consistency. Start by understanding how to become a more consistent person and then work towards achieving the goals you set. If you are successful, try to motivate yourself and become a responsible person. This requires a change of mindset so that you remain optimistic and productive throughout the process.
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Part 1 of 3: Doing Things Consistently
Step 1. Set specific and realistic goals
It's hard to be consistent if you don't know what to do. Before making changes, set achievable goals with specific, realistic and measurable targets.
- First determine what consistency means to you. Do you want to be consistent in order to exercise regularly? Achieving higher work performance? More open and reliable in a relationship?
- After determining the final goal, think about the steps that need to be taken to achieve it. For example, if you want to improve your physical fitness, you should make a plan to exercise 5 days a week or enroll in a gym.
- Set specific targets. Instead of saying, "I will always appreciate your partner," you might say, "I'll thank your partner after they wash the dishes, prepare dinner, or clean the house."
Step 2. Make a schedule of daily activities
Use a calendar, agenda, or schedule to avoid overlapping tasks and meeting plans. The activity schedule helps you plan your day so that all tasks can be completed on time. In addition, you can make an appointment according to the available time.
- Use an agenda in the form of a book or desk calendar. You can download a to-do app on your phone, such as Google Calendar or Outlook.
- Set a realistic time limit for doing the task. Give it extra time if you are not sure how much time it will take for the task to be completed.
- If you want to reach a more challenging end goal, such as writing a book or losing weight, choose a daily activity that is easier to do so that the goal can be achieved. For example, target how many words you want to write each day or specify a menu of foods you want to eat every day.
- Don't forget to schedule a specific day or time to rest! Do not schedule other activities for that day or time.
Step 3. Set reminders in your home, work, and equipment
New goals, habits, commitments, or promises are easy to forget, especially if we set them for ourselves. To prevent this, stick the paper with the message in a visible place so you can remember it throughout the day.
- Write down your goals on Post-it paper and stick them on your mirror, computer, refrigerator, car dashboard, and agenda.
- Write your goal down on a piece of paper and put it in your purse, desk drawer, or handbag.
- To be able to do daily exercise consistently, set a reminder on your phone, alarm, or use an app that will sound when you have to do it according to a predetermined schedule.
Step 4. Make promises only if you are able to keep them
Consistency is needed when making commitments and realizing them. You will be overwhelmed if you make too many promises. Refuse if you can't fulfill someone else's request.
- For example, if you tell your partner that you are willing to help with household chores, make sure you have some free time after work so you can fulfill your appointment.
- In certain circumstances, you may negotiate the schedule so that the appointment can still be fulfilled. For example, when someone who is moving house asks you to help him, tell him, "I can only help after 3 pm. How?"
- Consistency also applies when you make promises to yourself. If the goal of writing a 10-page novel a day doesn't seem realistic, make a promise to yourself to write at least a few lines each day.
Step 5. Reward yourself when you complete something
If the target is reached, reward yourself. The simple reward of achieving a small goal keeps you motivated throughout the process.
- For example, if you make a plan to get work done by 5 p.m. during the week, don't work any more at night. Go see a movie at the cinema or enjoy a special dinner at a restaurant.
- If you're training for a marathon and you've already hit your daily goal, sign up for a 5K race so you can experience what it's like to be successful.
- If you want to improve your relationship by being more consistent, friendship can be the reward. Invite friends to dinner at a restaurant or at home.
Part 2 of 3: Maintaining Consistency
Step 1. Continue with the plan if you can't be consistent
Sometimes the most consistent and orderly people also make mistakes. Be prepared for failure and don't blame yourself if you do something wrong.
- If you're forced to cancel appointments, change commitments, or miss a deadline, this doesn't mean you're inconsistent. Sometimes, external factors become obstacles even though we have made the best possible plan.
- Be prepared for setbacks and failures. If a publisher rejects your manuscript, check with another publisher or check your manuscript again to see if there are things that need improvement.
- Consistency does not equal perfection. If you didn't work out at the gym today or didn't have time to read a storybook to your kids, encourage yourself to do it tomorrow.
Step 2. Rest to restore energy
Consistency doesn't mean you have to work all day. Productivity will actually increase and you will not feel bored if you have time to rest. When setting your schedule, take time for yourself and don't let tasks or commitments get in the way.
- For example, if you've planned to spend 1 hour at night reading a book, showering, or watching TV, don't use that time for work.
- Meditation is a great way to calm the mind and feel peace. Start meditating for at least 5 minutes a day. If you get used to it, gradually increase the time to 15 minutes.
- Don't neglect time for yourself because you want to fulfill other responsibilities. For example, if you want to get up late Saturday morning, don't promise your partner that you'll cut the lawn. Tell him that you can mow the grass later this afternoon or tomorrow (and make sure you keep your promise!).
Step 3. Use a variety of ways to motivate yourself even if you don't want to
Feeling tired or stressed can be the cause so that you neglect scheduled tasks. However, this action makes you inconsistent. If you're tired or lazy, find a new source of motivation.
- Prepare a small gift to keep you excited about your daily life. For example, if you want to write a long term paper, take a 5-minute break every time you finish writing 1-2 pages.
- Remind yourself of the long-term goals you want to achieve. Tell yourself that you have to get things done if you want to achieve long-term goals. For example, instead of saying, "I'm really lazy to write papers," you might say, "When this paper is finished, I can do other assignments."
- Make a deal with yourself when you run into trouble. For example, if you want to be more consistent with a healthy diet, but you don't have time to cook, buy lettuce instead of fast food.
Step 4. Be personally responsible
In order to be consistent, make sure you are able to determine whether or not the targets and goals that have been set have been achieved. Take this opportunity to reconsider whether your goals are realistic enough or ask yourself what can be done to make improvements.
- Mark the completed tasks so that you can understand the meaning of job satisfaction. In addition, you will also see for yourself what you can do in 1 day.
- Ask a friend, family member, mentor, or coworker to be your partner by providing support to keep you accountable. Remind them to ask about your progress in the week. Have them rebuke you if you are inconsistent.
- Don't blame yourself if you don't reach your goals. Focus on achieving your goals and being consistent.
Part 3 of 3: Changing Your Mindset
Step 1. Give yourself a chance to change
Remember that forming new habits takes a lot of time. Instead of changing your daily routine by adopting several new habits at once, try to figure out which changes will be most effective. Be realistic when dealing with changes that may occur in the future.
In general, new habits will be formed if done consistently for 3 weeks. Every 3 weeks, set a target that can be achieved within that time span. Don't make multiple changes at once. Start by changing small habits and then gradually make more challenging changes
Step 2. Set boundaries for commitment and personal relationships
Boundaries help you keep commitments because there are clear benchmarks for the extent to which you should be held accountable. Before accepting a new assignment or making an appointment, determine what you are willing and able to do, including the things you cannot do.
- For example, you may commit to making family dinners a priority by not taking phone calls. Explain to your boss, coworkers, and friends that you have set boundaries and cannot be broken. Leave the phone in another room at dinner.
- Determine how to ensure quality work for yourself. For example, you promised yourself to double check your work before handing it over to your boss. Spend more time completing tasks so you can achieve consistent quality work.
Step 3. Have a strong determination
Consistency requires persistence in order to achieve goals because consistency will lead you to success even if you are reluctant to do so. So you have to have a strong determination to be consistent.
- Try to avoid temptation. For example, to successfully implement a healthy diet consistently, eat a healthy diet when you are hungry. Don't prepare unhealthy food.
- Fatigue can lead to laziness so you don't do tasks. To stay energized, get into the habit of getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night.
- When you are less motivated, remember the long-term benefits that will be obtained. Read again the list containing the goals to be achieved as a source of inspiration.
Step 4. Free yourself from negative thoughts
A negative mindset destroys consistency and persistence. When you think negatively, you hinder your own abilities so that you can't take action consistently.
- Monitor the habit of negative thinking because it will cause problems in the future. Realize every time you have a thought that says to yourself, "I can't do this" or "I'm such an idiot."
- As soon as negative thoughts appear, immediately divert or replace them by thinking about positive or neutral things. When you start saying to yourself, "I can't do it," replace that sentence with, "I'm going to keep practicing even though I can't do it right now."
- If a particular task or goal worries you, revise the task, goal, or outcome you want to achieve. Break it down into easy steps or prepare a gift to give yourself when the task is complete.
