Did you know that being consistent has far-reaching consequences in every aspect of your life?

For example:

  1. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology states that consistent behavior can increase perceived trustworthiness, likability, and attractiveness. The study found that participants who demonstrated consistent behavior were more likely to be seen as reliable and trustworthy than those who showed inconsistent behavior.
  2. Another study conducted by the Harvard Business Review found that consistent salespeople outperformed their peers by 20%. The study also found that consistent salespeople had better customer relationships and were likelier to hit their sales targets.
  3. According to research by the University of California, Berkeley, consistent exercise habits significantly improve physical health. The study found that people who consistently exercised for six months saw significant improvements in their cardiovascular health, strength, and endurance.
  4. And finally, a study conducted by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology found that couples who communicated consistently were more likely to have successful, long-term relationships.

These studies suggest that consistency has a significant positive impact on your outcomes and results, whether in your personal relationships, sales/work performance, physical health, or any other area.

And yet, most of us struggle with this skill. So what makes some people so consistent?

Even though we know that consistency leads to results, it takes work. Yet, when you look around, some people seem to find consistency as easy as breathing. So what’s their secret?

5 Key Attributes the Most Consistent People Have in Common

Self-regulation

Consistent people tend to have strong self-regulation skills. This means they are good at setting goals, monitoring their progress, and making adjustments when necessary.

High Motivation

Consistent individuals tend to be highly motivated to achieve their goals. They have a strong desire to succeed and are willing to put in the time and effort required.

Growth Mindset

Consistent people tend to have a growth mindset. This means they believe their abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication. They view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than as obstacles.

Build Good Habits

Consistent people tend to have good habits that support their goals. They have developed routines and practices that help them stay on track and avoid distractions.

Seek Support

Consistent individuals often have a strong support network, including friends, family, and mentors, who encourage and motivate them.

But while it might feel like consistency is a trait that a lucky few are born with, consistency is a skill that can be learned, developed, and improved over time, like any other skill.

How to Become More Consistent

Biggest Obstacles That Will Stop You from Being Consistent

Several factors can prevent you from being consistent in your actions or behaviors. These are:

  • Lack of motivation: One of the biggest obstacles to consistency is a lack of motivation. When people don’t have a strong enough reason to stay consistent, they struggle to stay on track.
  • Distractions: We live in a world full of distractions, and they can be a significant barrier to consistency. Social media, email, TV, and other distractions can make it hard to focus on what’s important.
  • Procrastination: If you find yourself putting off important tasks, then scrambling to catch up later, you’re not alone. You’re one of the many people who suffer from procrastination. Procrastination is a common problem, making it hard to be consistent.
  • Perfectionism: If you’re a perfectionist, you know the challenges of holding yourself to impossibly high standards. As a perfectionist, you may struggle with consistency. You may give up or become discouraged when you can’t meet your expectations.
  • Lack of planning: Without a clear plan or strategy, it can be challenging to stay consistent. If you don’t have a clear sense of direction, you’ll soon find yourself drifting and losing focus. Lack of planning is, therefore, yet another major obstacle to consistency.
  • Fear of failure: Fear of failure can be a significant barrier to consistency. When people are afraid of failing, they may avoid taking risks and may not follow through on their goals.
  • Lack of accountability: If you don’t have anyone holding you accountable, you’re more likely to slip up or fall off track, making it hard to stay consistent.

By identifying and addressing these barriers, you can become more consistent and achieve more of your goals.

How to Become More Consistent

With all the obstacles that can hold you back, it’s no wonder so many of us are struggling to be consistent! Becoming more consistent in your life can be challenging, but it’s achievable with effort and dedication. What’s more, the rewards for being more consistent make the effort worthwhile.

If you’re ready to become more consistent, here are the most important steps you can stake to get started:

1. Define your goals and priorities

The first important step towards being more consistent is knowing your goals. Knowing what you want to achieve and what’s most important to you will help you stay focused and consistent.

2. Create a routine

Remember, highly consistent people build good habits. Establishing a daily routine will help you develop good habits and make consistent progress toward your goals.

3. Plan ahead

Planning your day or week in advance can help you avoid last-minute decisions and distractions that may derail your progress.

4. Start small

Consistency is all about making small, incremental changes that add up over time. Set small, achievable goals and celebrate each success along the way.

5. Hold yourself accountable

Keep track of your progress, and hold yourself accountable for your actions. If you slip up, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, acknowledge what went wrong, learn from it, and get back on track.

6. Stay motivated

Consistency requires motivation, so find ways to stay inspired and engaged. This could mean seeking support from friends and family, listening to music, or using motivational quotes or images.

Here are some of our favorite quotes:

7. Be patient

Consistency takes time and effort, so be patient with yourself. Remember that small steps forward are still progress and that consistency is a journey, not a destination.

By following these steps, you can become more consistent in your life.

It’s worth noting that consistency is not an innate trait that some people are born with while others are not. It’s a skill that can be developed through practice and effort.

Anyone can become more consistent in their pursuits by working on self-regulation, motivation, mindset, habits, and seeking support.