On more than one occasion, my wife has accused me of being the most boring man in America.
I eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch every day. I drink the same brand of beer every night. I wear the same five outfits to work (one for each day of the week). I’ve worn the same brand of running shoes for 30 years. I feed my dog the same thing every morning and night, including the people food she mooches from me.
I’m not comparing myself to Steve Jobs, but there’s a reason he always wore the same black turtleneck, jeans and sneakers every day. Work attire was one less decision he had to make and he felt he ought to project a consistent brand image for his own personal identity. It was also part of Jobs’ daily routine for getting hyper-focused so he could get out there and change the world.
As a distance runner and triathlete most of my life, consistency has been a key to my identity. One foot in front of the other. Get your workout in whether it’s raining, snowing or broiling hot. Don’t let flight delays or work demands get in the way. Never skip workouts unless seriously ill or injured.
Legendary track coach Art Gulden used to bark at as in college: “Anyone can run fast when they’re feeling good. We’re going to teach you {expletives} how to fun fast when you feel like crap.”
That philosophy got me through four separate startup companies and several tours of duty in high-pressure newsrooms.
As many of you know, we have regular Gut Check™ accountability calls with our clients at the same day and time every week. The calls only last about 20 minutes, but they go a long way toward making sure nothing slips through the cracks and they ensure that clients (and we) are following through on their respective deliverables.
Clients who make at least 75% of their weekly Gut Check™ calls, have a 10X higher likelihood of a successful engagement with us than clients who make 50% or less – or who constantly reschedule. Clients who post or publish on a consistent basis (weekly, biweekly, monthly) tend to get more views, shares and client leads from their content than clients who post or publish sporadically.
NFL quarterback Russell Wilson says: “don’t get bored with consistency. Basketball legend Julius Erving (aka Dr. J) liked to say: “Being a professional is doing the things you love to do; on the days you don’t feel like doing them.”
Hmmmm.
Motivational speaker Rob Cressy, said the most successful people he knows, have three traits in common (video):
- They’re committed to excellence; they show up every day and get the work done.
- They do same thing (very well) over and over and over again.
- They cherish their morning routine (reading, meditating, visualizing and journaling, working out and practicing gratitude). Same thing every morning. Day after day. Year after year.
According to Cressy, consistency I snot sexy. “The results don’t show up immediately, but you’re planting seeds for the harvest.” In his book The Power of Consistency Weldon Long argues that you need to remind yourself constantly about what you want and what you’re trying to accomplish. It’s about getting deeply emotionally committed to the plan and taking consistent action toward implementing the plan for improved performance.
The Dog Days of summer are here. Everyone seems to be on vacation, about to go on vacation, or recovering from vacation. It’s easy to lose your focus when the temperature’s up and OOO (Out of Office) replies are dominating your inbox. DON’T.
Now’s the time to hit the ground running when your rivals have checked out and are asleep at the beach. Winners know they can’t wait for ALD (After Labor Day) to get back on track, because by then, the train has already left the station.
“Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.” — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Don’t agree? Tell me why.
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