How to Stay Consistent

Whether you're learning to play an instrument, starting a fitness routine, trying to live a decluttered lifestyle, or launching a new business (heh), a major key player in your success is your ability to be consistent.

For some of us, living by a schedule feels like it's in our DNA. We will create routine and structure out of any circumstance or season of life. Maybe you don't have that gene and would rather clean the dryer lint screen instead of entertain the idea of starting a routine. (If that's you, I'm happy to have you here. I hope this helps!)

It's important to note that consistency isn't the same thing as perfection. As noted in an article from Psychology Today, an all-or-nothing mindset often leads to feelings of shame or guilt. Shame is a progress killer. Let's ditch the shame and focus on the things we can control, hopping right back into it if we get derailed.

Here's what works for me:

First Thing's First

It's hot coffee and we love it

My children are tired of hearing me say this, so it's probably time to expand my audience. Truly though, take a moment with a pen and paper and write down what is most important for you personally to have accomplished every 24 hour period. Checking those boxes first thing after you wake up is your biggest key to building consistency. For me, it's spending time in God's Word and exercising my body. I drink my coffee while I read the Bible, then jump into my workout clothes before I even have time to think about what I'm doing. The longer you do this, the more you'll find that it doesn't feel like self-discipline, it's just routine.

Build a Framework

Are you the type of person who doesn't do boring or mundane well? You can be consistent, have a routine, and enjoy your freedom! Build yourself a blueprint of what you'd like to do more consistently and provide yourself some wiggle room around that framework.

For example, maybe you want to focus on increasing your raw veggies intake at lunch time. One way to achieve this is by making the "bones" of your lunch the same every day. Prep some diced, raw veggies for your lunch bowl every day (Toss in some oil and lemon juice to help your body absorb those nutrients!). Now you can mix up the protein option with chickpeas, cottage cheese, quinoa, or chicken. You get the idea. If this is still too boring for you, put a couple frameworks on rotation! Get a little wild and throw them over lettuce, put them in a pita, or serve them over orzo! Mix up the seasonings by swapping out flavors- go Asian, Mexican, or Italian.

It frees up a lot of space in my brain to already have a plan. You'll find you're more likely to stay consistent if you already basically know what you're going to do.

Piggy Back Tasks

Do you brush your teeth at least once a day? Please say yes. Please say yes. Please say yes.

Of course you do! Do you have to commute yourself or someone else to work/school every day? Do you drink a cup of coffee in the morning? These are really great anchors for building consistent, helpful routines! Yay! You're already half way there! The key is to link a new habit to something that's already a part of your routine.

We can go back to my morning routine for an example. I have attached reading God's Word with my cup of coffee. (Let's be real, I started with the coffee and added my daily Bible reading to it). Maybe you had knee surgery and you're supposed to do your rehab exercises every day. Ew. Boring. Easy to procrastinate. Try placing the exercises right before you get dressed in the morning or after you put your pajamas on at night.

If you're already a pro at staying consistent, that's fantastic! It's always healthy to re-evaluate what we do with our time to make sure we really are prioritizing our values.

If you need some work on forming habits and find that you start strong and fizzle out after a few weeks, don't stop trying! Don't give up on yourself! You absolutely can form helpful habits. Try writing it down (in your own handwriting) and telling a friend for accountability. Better yet, have them choose a healthy habit to adopt and invite them to do it with you. I'm cheering you on!