Are you tired of hearing everyone talk about how important consistency is to success, yet no one really talks about HOW to get consistent?
In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, staying consistent can feel like an uphill battle. I’m here to guide you through the journey of creating consistency without burnout.
In this guide, we’ll explore eleven actionable strategies (plus a BONUS tip) to help you build and maintain consistency while pursuing your goals in your childfree business.
1) Set Clear Goals
Setting clear, well-defined goals is the first step towards consistency. When your objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART), you have a roadmap for success.
Whether you’re aiming to lose weight, start a business, or learn a new skill, clarity is key to staying focused and motivated.
Meet Sarah, a passionate baker with dreams of owning her own bakery. For years, she has been experimenting in her kitchen, perfecting recipes and delighting friends and family with her confections. Sarah felt a longing for something more—a bakery to call her own.
One rainy afternoon, Sarah sat down with a notebook and pen, determined to bring her dream to life. She closed her eyes and imagined her future bakery—warm, inviting, with the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the air. With a clear vision in mind, Sarah began to set her goals.
She asked herself: What kind of bakery did she want to create? Who would be her customers? Where would it be located? How would she stand out in a crowded market?
As Sarah answered these questions, her goals began to take shape. She envisioned a cozy neighborhood bakery, specializing in artisanal pastries made with locally sourced ingredients. She set a deadline for herself—two years to turn her dream into reality.
With her goals written down, Sarah felt a sense of purpose and direction she had never known before. Each day, she worked tirelessly towards her vision, knowing that every step brought her closer to her dream of owning her own bakery.
Key Takeaway: Setting clear goals is the first step towards consistency. Like Sarah, take the time to envision your dreams and define what success looks like for you. Write down your goals, be specific about what you want to achieve, and set a timeline for reaching them. With clear goals as your guide, you’ll find the motivation and clarity you need to stay consistent on your journey to success.
Check out the Canva Vision Board Workshop using SMART goals.
2) Break Down Goals into Manageable Tasks
Large goals can be overwhelming, so break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. By deconstructing your objectives into bite-sized steps, you prevent burnout and build momentum towards your ultimate destination.
Each small accomplishment fuels your motivation to tackle the next challenge.
Emily, a content creator with a dream of growing her YouTube channel. Initially, the idea of reaching thousands of subscribers seemed overwhelming.
However, Emily didn’t let this intimidate her. She broke down her goal into manageable tasks – filming and editing one video per week, optimizing her channel’s SEO, engaging with her audience through comments and social media, and collaborating with other creators in her niche.
By focusing on these smaller, achievable milestones, Emily steadily grew her channel, gaining subscribers and views with each video she uploaded. Eventually, she reached her goal of a thriving YouTube community, proud of her consistency and dedication to her audience, without burning out.
3) Create a Routine
Establishing a routine is crucial for embedding consistency into your daily life. Routines are more like a framework that needs planning to prioritize your day. This means identifying the best times for tasks and activities, and stick to them as much as possible. Consistency in your schedule lays the foundation for consistency in your actions.
Whether it’s setting aside mornings for creative work or evenings for exercise, a routine provides structure and stability to your day.
For example, Maya, a successful writer who credits her daily routine for her writing productivity. Every morning, she wakes up at 7 am, gets ready for the day, brews her coffee, lights a candle, and settles into her cozy writing nook.
With the soft glow of her desk lamp illuminating the page before her, Maya loses herself in the world of words, knowing that her daily routine is the key to unlocking her creative potential.
Your routine can also be the frequency you post on one platform. At minimum I want to post to YouTube 2x a month and work up to 1x/week. Do what works for you and your schedule.
4) Start Small
Don’t attempt to overhaul your entire life overnight. Start with small, achievable changes and gradually build upon them. Celebrate each minor victory along the way, and witness how these incremental improvements compound into significant achievements over time.
Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Start with one small stone at a time.
Tom, a small business owner looking to improve his online presence through content marketing. At first, the idea of creating a comprehensive content strategy seemed overwhelming.
He begins by setting achievable goals, such as publishing one blog post per week or posting on social media platforms three times a week. Tom focuses on quality over quantity, ensuring that each piece of content provides value to his audience and aligns with his brand’s message.
As Tom consistently produces content and receives positive feedback from his audience, he gains confidence in his abilities as a content creator. Encouraged by his progress, he gradually expands his content strategy, incorporating new formats such as videos, podcasts, and graphics thanks to his Virtual Assistant.
By starting small and gradually building upon his successes, Tom transforms his online presence, attracting new customers and establishing himself as an authority in his industry. Through persistence and dedication, Tom proves that incremental improvements lead to significant achievements over time.
5) Develop Habits
Habits are powerful tools for consistency. Habits are recurring and frequent that they become part of your everyday, to the point you do them on “autopilot.” Choose habits that align with your goals and incorporate them into your routine. Whether it’s waking up early, journaling daily, or practicing gratitude, habits streamline your actions and make consistency almost effortless.
With time and repetition, these behaviors become ingrained in your lifestyle, shaping your path to success.
Sarah, a small business owner with a determination to streamline her workflow and boost productivity.
Every morning, she starts her day by reviewing her to-do list and prioritizing tasks for her business. She sets aside time for focused work, breaks, and networking activities, ensuring a balanced approach to her daily routine.
Sarah integrates healthy habits into her workday, such as taking short walks outside to clear her mind and staying hydrated with water breaks. She also allocates time for regular brainstorming sessions and creative thinking exercises to fuel innovation in her business.
In addition to work-related habits, Sarah prioritizes self-care and personal development. She dedicates time each day to meditation or journaling to maintain mental clarity and emotional well-being. She also sets aside time for reading or listening to podcasts to stay informed about industry trends and expand her knowledge base.
Through consistent daily habits, Sarah creates a harmonious balance between her personal and professional life, leading to increased productivity, fulfillment, and success in her small business endeavors.
6) Track Your Progress
Keep track of your actions and their outcomes. Use journals, spreadsheets, or habit-tracking apps to monitor your progress. Regularly reviewing your performance allows you to identify areas for improvement and celebrate your successes.
Tracking your journey not only keeps you accountable but also provides valuable insights into your growth and development. (CTA to progress tracker)
David, a freelance graphic designer is wanting to grow his business.
With a simple worksheet to track his projects, deadlines, and client feedback, David gains valuable insights into his workflow.
By regularly reviewing his progress, David identifies areas for improvement and celebrates his achievements, fueling his motivation to reach new heights of success.
Grab the Progress Tracker here.
7) Be Adaptable
Life is unpredictable, and setbacks are inevitable. Instead of letting them derail you, anticipate obstacles and have contingency plans in place. Stay flexible and adapt to changing circumstances without losing sight of your goals.
Life is unpredictable, and setbacks are inevitable. Like for Maria, a globetrotter with a passion for adventure. Despite meticulous planning, Maria encounters unexpected challenges on her travels – missed flights, lost luggage, language barriers. But instead of letting setbacks ruin her journey,
Instead of getting upset and stressed out, Maria stays flexible and embraces the unknown. With an open mind and a spirit of resilience, Maria turns obstacles into opportunities for growth and discovery because she’s a problem solver.
Remember, it’s not about avoiding challenges but rather navigating them with resilience and determination.
8) Find Accountability Partners
Share your goals with friends, family, or a supportive community. Having someone to hold you accountable can significantly increase your commitment and consistency. Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you on your journey.
By sharing your aspirations and progress with others, you create a support network that encourages you to stay the course, even when the going gets tough.
Back to Sarah, a small business owner determined to increase her productivity and grow her revenue. Recognizing the importance of accountability in achieving her goals, she seeks out accountability partners.
Sarah shares her business goals with her close business friends and Productivity Coach. She also joins a local business networking group to connect with like-minded individuals and receive support and encouragement.
By surrounding herself with a supportive community, Sarah stays motivated and committed to her goals. She finds accountability partners who hold her accountable for her actions, offer valuable insights and advice, and celebrate her successes along the way.
With her accountability partners cheering her on, Sarah feels empowered to overcome challenges, stay focused on her objectives, and ultimately achieve success in her small business endeavors.
9) Practice Self-Compassion
Be kind to yourself, especially when you face challenges or setbacks. Avoid self-criticism and negative self-talk, and instead, offer yourself understanding and encouragement. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would extend to a friend.
Be kind to yourself, especially when you face challenges or setbacks.
Are you a perfectionist struggling to meet your own high standards?
Despite your best efforts you face setbacks and disappointments along the way. But instead of berating yourself for mistakes, practice self-compassion and kindness. Acknowledge your efforts, learn from failures, and treat yourself with the same love and understanding you do with others.
Remember, perfection is not the goal—progress is. Embrace your imperfections and celebrate your efforts, no matter how small.
10) Celebrate Your Wins
Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Take time to reflect on your progress and give yourself credit for the effort you’ve invested in pursuing your goals. Celebrating your wins boosts confidence and reinforces positive behaviors.
From getting your first client, gaining 1000 YouTube subscribers, seeing your clients transformation from working together, or traveling to your favorite place, every accomplishment counts.
Whether it’s treating yourself to a spa day or simply getting a coffee, acknowledging your accomplishments fuels your motivation to continue moving forward.
11) Brand Consistency
Consistency isn’t just about showing up consistently in your work; it’s also about maintaining brand consistency across all touch points. Otherwise, they get confused.
From your website and social media profiles to your products and customer interactions, ensure that your brand voice, visuals, and messaging remain cohesive and aligned with your brand identity. Consistency builds brand recognition and trust, making it easier for your audience to connect with and remember you.
By maintaining brand consistency, you establish a strong and memorable presence in the minds of your audience, fostering loyalty and credibility.
Bonus Tip – How to Be Consistent on Bad Days
We all have those days when the motivation is low and life obstacles seem to get in the way. But there are strategies you can do to stay consistent even when the going gets tough. One effective strategy is batching ahead of time.
Take advantage of those bursts of energy and productivity by batching tasks ahead of schedule.
Whether it’s writing blog posts, creating social media content, or fulfilling orders, batching allows you to tackle multiple tasks at once and free up time for when you’re feeling less motivated. Another helpful tip is to schedule your tasks in advance.
Set aside dedicated time each day or week to work on your business or creative projects, and stick to that schedule as much as possible. By having a set routine, you eliminate decision fatigue and make it easier to show up consistently, even on your worst days.
And remember, you’re not a robot.
You’re human and it’s okay to take breaks and practice self-care when needed. Listen to your body and mind, and don’t be afraid to step back and recharge when necessary. Consistency is important, but so is your well-being.
Conclusion:
Consistency isn’t about being perfect every day, but rather about showing up consistently over time. By implementing these eleven strategies and staying committed to your goals, you can cultivate a lifestyle of consistency that propels you toward success. Remember, progress is a journey, not a destination. Keep moving forward, one step at a time, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.
Want support around any of this? Let’s Chat.
