Bring on your productivity with consistency

Every New Year, we see ourselves sticking to a new resolution: lose weight, pick up a healthy habit, be mindful of our eating habits, the list goes on…. We make a promise to ourselves and are compelled to stick with it. We are even successful for at least a week. But then we start slacking. We miss one day, then two days, and it multiplies. We end up abandoning our resolutions. Sounds too familiar? Have we ever wondered why?

Psychologists attribute it to the goal-oriented approach behind it. Instead, we should emphasise the process of change rather than the goal. So the key here is to develop habits leading to the desired goal(s). By understanding the negative consequences of certain behaviours, evaluating the pros and cons of change, and preparing for success, we can embark on a process of change that may take weeks or months. 

That’s why we need consistency by cultivating disciplined habits to achieve long-term success in reaching desired goals. 

It’s the secret sauce to productivity, especially when the latter slips. 

To stay consistently productive, it is crucial to understand the ‘why’ as it provides a clear understanding of what drives us and helps us stay motivated in the long run. It’s our purpose. 

On some days, we feel overwhelmed while trying to maintain a fulfilling personal life and juggling multiple responsibilities. Consistency can reduce stress by giving us a sense of control and predictability. 

This article explores how you can bring consistency to transform your daily lifestyle and be more productive.

Establishing a Routine

Healthy routines enhance well-being, aid goal achievement, and unlock our potential. Many successful people, such as Jeff Bezos, Stephen King, and Beyonce, credit their routines for their success. 

But let’s face it, the hardest part is remaining consistent. So your routine must be aligned with your values and motivation. Be realistic with it and ensure that it’s adaptable to different situations. 

We can start small, like ensuring 15 minutes of physical activity or reducing your screen time from an hour to 45 minutes. 

Routines can help us create positive habits that promote self-care, support healthy sleep cycles, and enhance our mental and emotional well-being. By providing structure and organisation, routines can improve our health in multiple ways and help us manage stress more effectively. A consistent schedule can help us secure more time and energy to be spontaneous. As a result, we are more efficient. 

Building Habits

Forming habits helps us build consistency which in turn keeps us productive. The more consistent you are with a new activity or routine, higher the chances of it becoming habitual. When we are starting out, we need to ensure that it's our top priority, whether it's dedicating 30 minutes daily to reading, meditating in the morning, or exercising regularly. Gradually increase it over time with a milestone in mind. We embrace mindfulness as it helps us stay focused on our goals.

As we form habits, we soon realise that we can attain goals without the added stress and anxiety. We have a better sense of control when things aren't going your way.

Embrace patience since time varies widely depending on the behaviour, the person, and the circumstances. It can take anywhere between 18 and 254 days to form a new habit. Account for external factors that can make you go off track. 

Maintaining Focus and Avoiding Procrastination

Consistency is about falling in love with boredom, repetition and practice, and the process of what we do and letting the results take care of themselves. At times we get depressed and lose focus and motivation. This comes in the way of productivity, even for successful people. But what sets them apart is their willpower to show up and do the work, irrespective of whether it’s challenging or mindless.  

Maintaining focus involves scheduling dedicated work periods interspersed with short breaks. This allows your brain to be most efficient and creative without triggering burnout.

Consistency also helps combat procrastination by instilling a sense of responsibility and commitment to the tasks at hand.

The Ivy Lee Method is known as one of the best systems to beat procrastination and add that touch of consistency. It’s simple. 

At the end of the day, jot down the six most important tasks to accomplish the next day. Keep it at six. 

1. Prioritise them in order of importance.
2. The next day, focus solely on the first task until it is completed before moving on to the next one. 
3. Address the remaining tasks using the same approach. At the end of the day, move the incomplete ones to a fresh list for the upcoming day. 
4. Continue this process every day. 
    

Why does it work? It helps us get started. It forces you to single-task, guaranteeing better work quality. It assists in decision-making, particularly when days are inundated with tasks. Trim away anything that’s not important or urgent. Limits can boost our effectiveness. If we don't commit to specific tasks, distractions will pull us in all directions.

Enhancing Time Management

Aiming for long-term time management goals? Consistency has got you covered with forming habits and establishing a routine. It's already discussed how the latter helps us gain better control over our time. We become more mindful (of our time), prioritise tasks effectively, and effectively cut out trivial things. 

Additionally, it prevents last-minute crises and rushed deadlines by evenly distributing our workload.  

But remember, consistency needs discipline and resilience, ultimately bolstering our mental well-being to overcome setbacks with steadfast routines.

It creates a sustainable framework for success. There is no inflexibility. So let's be patient and celebrate small victories along the way.

As James Clear, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, says, ‘Intensity makes a good story. Consistency makes progress.'

We couldn’t agree more.