Consistency

Consistency is your secret weapon

Boomer had an idea everyone thought crazy. He wanted to be a stand-up comedian. He went to an open mic and told every joke he knew — jokes people had already heard. So he took a page from Jerry Seinfeld and decided to write a joke every day. Sometimes terrible, most good, a few great. He rewrote his routine, practiced every day, and the next time on stage he wowed the crowd with material no one had heard before.

Here’s the truth: success is the result of a thousand tiny deposits of time and effort made every day. The difference between the guy who stays exactly where he is and the guy who levels up is consistency.

Three moves

1. The trap of “when I feel like it”

If you only work when you feel like it, you’re letting your emotions run your life. A pro athlete trains because it’s Tuesday at 6:00 AM. Consistency is doing the work when the “feel like it” has left the building.

2. Building your reputation — with yourself

Every time you say you’re going to do something and do it, you’re casting a vote for the person you want to become. You don’t need to be the smartest or fastest; you just have to be the one who refuses to stop.

3. How to actually do it

Shrink the goal. Don’t say “I’m going to work out for two hours.” Say “I’m going to put on my gym shoes and do one push-up.”

Never miss twice. If you miss a day, don’t let it turn into a week. Seinfeld marked each writing day on a calendar and never broke the chain for two days in a row.

Focus on the streak. Ten minutes every day beats three hours once a week. Keep the chain unbroken.

Bottom line: In a world full of people who quit when they don’t feel like it, the guy who keeps at it is a superhero. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being consistent. Just show up.

Scripture thread

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children… when you sit… when you walk… when you lie down, and when you rise.” — Deuteronomy 6:6–9

From the further description of when to teach, “diligently” means constantly, consistently. The world is constantly teaching young men lessons contrary to God’s Word. That is why you must make your study of God’s Word a consistent part of your life — daily study, not only weekly attendance — consistently reading, studying, and applying that Word.

Excerpted from 15 - East: Consistency.pages.