Staying Consistent: How to Stick to Your Goals

TLDR:

If you want to stay consistent, do this:

1. Have an Accountability Partner.

2. Schedule and Prioritise.

3. Join a Community.

4. Track Your Progress.

Productivity tip of the day:

Don’t take your phone to the toilet.

Hello and Welcome to a #003.

Have you ever set New Year's resolutions but found yourself giving up on them? I can relate. My word for this year was "consistency," yet I struggled to follow through with my initial goals. In this article, we'll explore the reasons behind this lack of follow-through and discover practical tips to help you stay on track.

Common Causes of Not Following Through: Lack of Action, Motivation, and Clarity

Why do we often fail to follow through on our goals? Let's look at a few common causes:

1. Not Taking Action: Sometimes, we may not genuinely want to take action towards our goals. We might have set them based on others' expectations rather than our own desires.

2. Lack of Motivation: Staying motivated is crucial for consistency. Without a clear purpose or strong motivation, it's easy to lose steam and give up along the way.

3. Unclear Starting Point: The initial steps toward our goals can be overwhelming, especially when we're unsure how to begin. This uncertainty can hinder our progress and lead to abandonment.

Let's take the example of the goal to read more. In my own experience, I bought four books with excitement, and started reading one, but eventually stopped when my routine changed. I repeated this pattern multiple times, never making reading a consistent part of my day. Instead, I tried to find "free time" to do it, which was rare.

Help you keep consistent by having an accountability partner, schedule your tasks, join a community and track your progress.

To help you maintain consistency and follow through on your goals, consider these strategies:

1. Accountability Partner: Find someone who can hold you accountable for your actions. It could be a friend, family member, or colleague who shares your goals. Regular check-ins and support from an accountability partner can boost motivation and keep you on track.

2. Schedule and Prioritise: Allocate specific time slots in your daily or weekly schedule. Treat it as an important appointment, just like any other commitment. By giving it a designated space in your day, you're more likely to prioritise and follow through.

3. Join a Community: Seek out groups or communities of like-minded individuals who are pursuing similar goals. This can provide a sense of belonging, support, and a shared motivation to keep going. It also offers an opportunity to learn from other's experiences and share insights.

4. Track Your Progress: Keep a record of your progress. This could be as simple as using a journal, checklist, or digital tracking tool. Regularly reviewing your accomplishments will help you stay motivated and remind you of how far you've come.

Staying consistent is not always easy, but knowing your why will help you follow through.

Consistency may not always be easy, but it is vital for personal growth and achieving your goals. By understanding the reasons behind our lack of follow-through, we can implement effective strategies to overcome them. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Seek support, prioritise your goals, and stay committed. As Carl Gustav Jung wisely said, "You are what you do, not what you say you'll do."