Consistency is one of the key elements for success. In doing a web search on the word consistency, I came up with the synonym regularity. Webster defines consistency as, the ability to remain the same in behavior, attitudes, and qualities. In this blog post, we will look at how consistency affects our physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Nothing is really effective or successful without consistency.
Research has shown that consistency leads to success. For example, it has shown that going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time everyday has therapeutic health benefits. According to the Sleep Doctor, Michael Breus, PhD, consistency is the cornerstone of a healthy sleep routine. A consistent routine can make falling asleep and getting up in the morning easier, less stressful, and more relaxing. This also includes the weekends and your days off. Consistency with sleep makes our daily lives easier and helps us be more efficient with our time and efforts.
For me, consistency is something I have to constantly be aware of in my daily life. It is challenging for me at times. Staying consistent with physical activity has been my biggest challenge. Sometimes I take yoga and work out for 2 or 3 weeks consistently then turn around and miss a whole week. I immediately notice a change in my energy level, and the way I feel physically and emotionally, when I am consistent with my workout routine as opposed to being inconsistent.
I spoke with a spokesperson at LA Fitness Gym about this and he validated the importance of consistency in maintaining optimal physical health. He informed me that the peak time for new membership enrollment is January. He stated the gym is full for the whole month. Then as the year progresses, people start dropping out and the gym becomes less busy. We make all kinds of resolutions about diet and exercise but fail to be consistent.
To obtain consistent results we must be consistent in our action. We are what we repeatedly do, think, and say.
- If eating no sugar or processed food is one way to be healthier physically, then staying consistent with that practice is a step towards better health.
- If daily meditation, prayer, or whatever spiritual practice you choose, is the way to stay connected spiritually then staying consistent with that practice is a key element to achieving optimal health spiritually.
Mindful awareness is another area where consistency has proven to be beneficial for me. Being consistently aware of my thoughts and taking control of them, as opposed to allowing them to control me, has led to more positive thinking and therefore a greater outlook on life in general. Constantly or consistently being aware. When I let my guard down, and allow my mind to wander, I end up with negative thoughts and negative energy which in turn affects my optimal health and wellness.
Any goal we have to be the best we can be, and take care of the body given to us by the creator, takes consistency. Consistency is key whether your goal is to stop smoking, pray more, meditate more, exercise or eat healthier.
Thinking back to my goal to become a nurse makes me think about the fact that 22% of the class dropped out before completion, leading to only 78% of the class being successful and graduating. It took consistency. It takes motivation and determination to be consistent but we all have the innate ability to be successful. It is our choice.
I am committed to be more consistent in my actions in order to achieve optimal health. I hope you will join me.
I challenge you to take just one step toward optimal health and start today working on that goal. Small disciplines repeated with consistency everyday, lead to great achievements gained slowly over time. It is a process, but with consistency, you will be successful. Remember, consistency always leads to excellence. So, always be consistent with whatever you do in life. Do not give up.
Whatever it is you want to achieve, be consistent in your efforts and actions. It is guaranteed to lead to success.
Until next time,
Peace, blessings, and consistency
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Vince is a Critical Care Registered Nurse, Published Writer, and Columnist living and loving in Atlanta, Georgia. Enter your email address to receive his weekly educational, inspirational, and thought-provoking work straight to your inbox. You can also follow him on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Your support and feedback are deeply appreciated.
Great topic Vince.
Having been brought up in a financially comfortable family, dad was away a lot so my mother and uncles brought me up, I placed my trust in my uncles as they would know best about my future. I started working with them from my 16th birthday, admittedly initially only in the summers and then spent the next 24 years under their wings. In 2000 they dissolve the company and I was unceremoniously ‘dumped’.
I had found the perfect life partner and that went sour when the money dried up. I set up a business and she single handedly destroyed it. I’ve worked hard and consistently making whatever I’ve done my pride and joy and tried to achieve the best out of it whilst learning along the way and not being ashamed of asking what people perceive as stupid questions.
However I’ve now come to the stage in life where my kids will be going to uni in September and I am going to divorce the love of my life who has now become the second most disliked person in my life.
I am not a proud man, I will do anything legal to put bread on the table and am not afraid of work. However after my divorce and with her getting 50% of all my assets, I will have just one more shot left to me financially enable me get through to the end of my life.
I have always had a phobia of ending up financially poor and in my mind, that is coming to reality and is scaring me to no end. I know you are going to say “you’ll never know unless you try it” or “leave it in God’s hands”: I’ve tried that but the phobia is still there and I am really concerned. Yes I can leave the funds in the bank, live off the interest and get some job, but I’d be bored and all this education I’ve had would be wasted. Yes I could get a high position in a company, but my self confidence is shot and I don’t know how I can pull it off. As I see it, I can invest in a business and if it works then I’m ok. However, if it fails then I’m snookered. You see, being a ‘nice guy’ just doesn’t work in this world anymore.
I’ve always be consistent and improving in whatever I’ve done, but now I’m at a position where I’m worried.
Can you please advise ?
Thanks
Yuri
Yuri,
Fear, worry, and anxiety are all part of the human experience for all of us. And that’s okay. It is when we allow those emotions to control us and keep us from moving forward that it becomes an issue. There are many layers to who we are as beings. My goal is to transcend (rise above) the personal. The personal thoughts. The personal feelings. The personal emotions. Transcend the personal and become more awakened to the higher aspects of my being. In other words, the truth of my being. The truth that we are not in control of anything. The truth that EVERYTHING in our life happens exactly as it is supposed to at exactly the right time. For me, being able to accept this truth has brought me a deeper peace with less worry. The truth is a multi-millionaire could lose it all in a split second. There are no gaurantees. Nothing is certain not even your next breath. Embrace that uncertainty and only give energy to the things you know for sure. Trying to figure out the unknown or the future will drive you crazy. Why worry about the future or your retirement when it may not even come? Awaken every morning and immediately begin to give gratitude. Gratitude for the hard times as well as the good. Gratitude for what you have right here and now. It is easy to get caught up in the mental chatter that tells us we are not worthy or that we lack something. It is just that. Mental Chatter. I certainly understand your feelings and views. I too was in an 18 year relationship with the love of my life. It took me several years to move past that and believe that there was something/someone better for me. You must believe that and feel that. You must see yourself as awesome and worthy. You must feel that. Look yourself in the mirror daily and give thanks for the awesome human you are and for your creator. It works. Try it. Be consistent with it daily until you fully believe and feel it.
I am grateful for you and your constant support and feedback of my story. My thoughts, prayers, and positive energy I send to you right now.
Peace and abundance,
Vince
Good read and great reminders about something so important in our lives affecting all that we do. Thank you
Stephen,
Thank you so much for your kind response. I appreciate you and look forward to continued dialogue.
Peace and blessing
Nice! Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you Shaun