Nearly a month into the new year, most of us have set our goals with enthusiasm and eagerly started working toward them. But let’s be honest—many of us have stumbled along the way, struggled to stick to our plans, and perhaps even abandoned a few goals already. It’s not because the goals were unrealistic, nor because we lacked seriousness or effort. The primary reason goals often fall through is a lack of consistency.
Marie Forleo famously said, “Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally; it comes from what you do consistently.” And it’s true—most of us understand that consistent actions are the foundation for achieving the results we want in life. Yet, despite this knowledge, many of us still struggle with consistency. Why is it so hard to stay consistent?
I recently posted a poll on my Instagram story asking followers about their biggest challenges. One of the options was goal setting, and every single person who selected it mentioned that consistency is a major obstacle for them.
Here’s the thing: when we set goals, we often rely too heavily on motivation. In those moments of high energy and excitement, we create detailed, ambitious plans to achieve our goals. The problem? These plans are often extreme. For a few days—or even weeks—we might manage to stick with them. But inevitably, motivation fades, life gets in the way, and we’re left feeling discouraged because we couldn’t maintain the overly intense plan we set when we were motivated.
In this post, we’ll take a fresh look at what consistency means and explore practical ways to overcome the challenges that hold us back. While consistency might not sound glamorous, mastering it can be one of the most transformative skills for shaping your future. Let’s get started!
The Importance of Consistency
If you want to overcome a lack of consistency, it’s essential to first understand why consistency matters.
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- Accountability: Consistency keeps you accountable. Regular, intentional actions move you closer to your goals. If you’re struggling to make progress, it’s often because consistency is missing.
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- Recognition: Consistency helps you stand out. People notice steady efforts over time. For instance, I’ll remember someone showing up at the gym three times a week far more than someone who comes just once a month.
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- Trust Building: Consistency builds trust—with yourself and others. When you remain consistent, you develop confidence in your ability to take on future challenges and integrate new habits. Others begin to see you as reliable and the go-to person for your expertise or commitment.
Why You’re Struggling to Be Consistent
Focusing on the Outcome:
Let’s be honest—how often have you set a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or eat healthier, driven by the vision of your ideal body or improved health? Most of us have been there. While it’s natural to dream about the result, this focus can overshadow the growth and progress you make along the journey.
Instead of celebrating small wins—like choosing a nutritious meal or completing a workout—you might dismiss them, thinking you’re still far from your ultimate goal. But the truth is, every small step brings you closer to where you want to be. Even if you don’t see immediate results, you’re already much farther ahead than when you first began.
Reframing consistency as a process, not just a means to an end, can transform how you approach your goals. By focusing on daily progress rather than the outcome, you’ll not only stay motivated but also find joy in the journey.
You’re Confusing Consistency with Intensity
One common mistake is thinking that consistency requires perfection or extreme effort. But that’s far from the truth. I remember when I used to set weight-loss goals, I’d jump straight from being a couch potato to planning an intense routine: working out for an hour every day, hitting 10,000 steps, drinking a gallon of water, and so on. Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves?
Consistency isn’t about doing everything all at once or going all in from the start. It’s about small, sustainable actions that add up over time. Instead of overwhelming yourself with 10 new habits at once, focus on gradual progress.
For example:
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- Start by walking for 30 minutes daily for a month.
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- Once that becomes a habit, add a half-gallon of water to your routine.
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- When you’re ready, incorporate strength training 4 days a week.
Do you see where this is going? Consistency isn’t about intensity or perfection—it’s about building habits over time and letting small, steady actions compound into meaningful progress.
How to Overcome a Lack of Consistency
1. Identify the Areas You Want to Grow In
Start by listing the areas you want to improve in your life. I recently shared with my mom how many people rush toward a destination without knowing their starting point. Imagine being at a theme park, trying to find a specific ride, but you don’t even know where you are. The first step? Find the map with the big arrow, “YOU ARE HERE.”
Similarly, take a quick self-assessment of where you stand in different areas of your life—relationships, career, finances, health, spirituality, etc. Rate each area on a scale of 1–10. Then, prioritize which ones you want to focus on first. This process shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes, but it will give you clarity and direction.
2. Focus on One Thing at a Time
Prioritizing your goals is essential to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Think about why a doctor won’t tell you to quit smoking, drinking, and sugar all at once—it’s too much at the same time, and you’re more likely to fail at all of them. The same principle applies to your personal goals. Start with one, master it, and then move on to the next.
3. Remember Your Why
Everything you do has a reason, whether it’s meaningful or trivial. When it comes to staying consistent, your “why” needs to be powerful and personal enough to keep you going, especially during challenging times. A surface-level reason won’t sustain you. Take time to dig deep, reflect, and journal about why you want to be consistent in a specific area. The more meaningful your “why,” the more likely you are to stick with it.
4. Don’t Prioritize Your Schedule, Schedule Your Priorities
We often postpone tasks, telling ourselves we’ll do them later, only to find that “later” never comes. Instead, try being proactive rather than reactive. Life will always throw spontaneous events your way, but scheduling your priorities into your day can help you stay on track. Time blocking is an effective strategy for this—it ensures you dedicate focused time to your goals and prevents unplanned interruptions from derailing your progress.
5. Discipline Over Motivation
Motivation is unreliable—it comes and goes. While it can give you a great start, it’s discipline that will carry you through in the long run. Discipline doesn’t rely on fleeting bursts of energy or inspiration; it’s the foundation that helps you push past obstacles, resist distractions, and stay consistent.
Discipline helps you overcome self-doubt, recalibrate your goals, and remain strategic in your actions. It’s the steady force that keeps you moving forward, even when motivation fades.
Final Thoughts
Remember, consistency isn’t something you’ll master overnight. Not every goal or habit will matter enough to you to warrant unwavering dedication—and that’s okay. If you’re struggling to stay consistent, ask yourself if the goal truly aligns with your passions and values. It’s hard to remain committed to something you’re not genuinely invested in.
However, when you find what matters to you, these tips can help you build consistency in your habits and goals. Don’t worry about being perfect right away—no one is. Consistency isn’t about never making mistakes; it’s about showing up, learning from setbacks, and continuing forward.
Consistency turns small actions into big results, and over time, those actions become part of your lifestyle.
If this post resonated with you, share your thoughts in the comments! I’d love to hear your favourite takeaway. 