The Benefit of Consistency

In a bustling newsroom, a woman reads a newspaper while reporters work at their desks, capturing the dynamic energy of a newsroom.

When I was just starting my career as a newspaper reporter MANY years ago, I learned a valuable lesson that continues to serve me well.  I learned the lesson of CONSISTENCY. On every annual job appraisal, I was told that one of my most valuable qualities, was that I was consistent.  My boss could always count on me to write quality stories and make the printing deadline, well in advance.  

When this compliment was first made, I didn't realize that everyone did not perform their work tasks in the same way. Year after year, no matter who my supervisor was, I was praised and rewarded for my consistency.

There were other reporters who had graduated from Ivy League schools, had more experience and wrote great stories, but in some cases, their success was hit or miss. Sometimes they did their best and it showed other times, they didn't.  Often I found that when they didn't perform as expected, I was called in to "go get the story." And, I did. Every single time. 

I maintained a high level of consistency as I moved from employer to employer. I believe it's what has helped me to succeed.

In the 1960’s research came out that proposed that it takes twenty-one days to form a new habit.  However, in 2009, the European Journal of Social Psychology published a study that proposed that it takes about sixty-six days to form a new habit and make it stick. 

The benefit of doing something daily or with some regularity is that it builds your consistency muscle. That muscle, because it is used regularly, gets stronger and stronger. Before you know it you have formed a habit.

Negative habits can be built as well, so be careful about showing up consistently being late, combative or unreliable. Plus, positive habits often lead to more positive habits.

For example, if you make your bed every morning, no matter the temptation to leave it crumpled and messy, after a while, you'll find that you don't mind making your bed and it sets a tone of accomplishment for the day. You begin thinking about other tasks that you need to accomplish.

Here's a consistency challenge for the next two months:

1. Make you bed every morning.

2. Tidy your desk or workspace before leaving or quitting work for the day.

3. Choose one positive habit to begin building that consistency muscle (such as taking lunch to work as opposed to eating out or taking a walk every day).

If you fall off a day, don't beat yourself up about it, just start again. Pretty soon, you will find that consistent habits have spread throughout your home, your job, and your relationships. Positive consistent habits build confidence in your abilities that others notice.

The habit will expand and you’ll grow more confident and knowledgeable as you progress. As you engage in this practice regularly, you will notice a gradual enhancement in your skills and understanding.

Each time you commit to your routine, you are not only reinforcing the habit itself, but also building a solid foundation of expertise. Over time, this consistent effort will lead to significant improvements in your performance and abilities at work.

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As you continue to immerse yourself in this process, you will likely encounter new challenges and opportunities for growth. This is of particular benefit in building your career and showing yourself to be a standout team member.

These experiences will further deepen your knowledge and help you to develop a deeper perspective on the subject matter. You will start to see connections and patterns that were previously invisible to you, allowing for a richer understanding of the task at hand.

Also, you will find yourself more willing to step outside of your comfort zone, try new approaches, and tackle complex problems with a sense of assurance. This new confidence will not only enhance your performance, but also inspire those around you, potentially encouraging them to pursue their own growth and development.

Remember, as you diligently cultivate this habit, you will experience a transformative journey that not only expands your capabilities as a leader, but also instills a profound sense of confidence and mastery in your endeavors.