Why Consistency is More Important than Motivation

Many people talk about motivation, how it drives them to complete a task. But what happens when the motivation fades? Most of the time, people wait to feel motivated before getting work done, and when that motivation disappears, they feel stuck again. In this article I will explain why consistency is far more significant than motivation

Motivation is temporary, unlike consistency. Let’s say you feel highly motivated to start exercising today, and complete a thirty-minute workout. However, if you fail to continue it in the following days, will it help you achieve your goals? Definitely not, because you are relying on motivation to take action, and you only work when you feel motivated, which is inconsistent. Consistency on the other hand means showing up regularly. Even a 10 to 15 minutes workout, can make huge difference when done consistently. Small changes done regularly can lead to drastic improvements. It’s true that motivation gets you started, but it is repetition that creates success. Every successful person you have seen or heard of, lives by this rule. You also get improved when you consistently practice something. For example, if you pick up a mic and try to speak for the first time, you might make mistakes, stutter, or feel nervous. But when you continue doing it for months, you gain more experience, build confidence, and improve with each passing day. Remember results only come through repetition. When you consistently do something, it becomes a habit, and habits are automatic. Consistency leads to progress, and when you show up regularly, you see results. Those results fuel your motivation to keep you moving forward. 

How to stay consistent? This is the most important question, and the answer is simple, start small. For instance, if your goal is to eat clean and you start by being too hard on yourself, it’s unlikely that you’ll stick with it. However, if you make gradual changes in your eating habits, such as eating healthy meals on time, reducing fast food intake, and substituting junk food with healthier snacks, you are more likely to stay consistent in the long run. Set a bare minimum. Even on bad days, when you are not able to give it your all, make an effort to show up. Even if you can only give 10% of your energy that day, it’s fine, what matters is staying consistent. When you develop discipline through consistency, you become stronger and more resilient. Track your progress, to hold yourself accountable and stay motivated to keep going. Reward yourself, when you do a good job. Acknowledging your efforts and celebrating small milestones helps you to move forward. When you enjoy and focus on your progress, you’ll effortlessly attract your goals. If you want lasting success, be consistent, and don’t wait for motivation. Take actions and stay committed to yourself.