Forget Discipline! Here’s Why Consistency is the Real MVP
That tantalizing word that so many of us chase after, like a moth to a flame. But, have you ever stopped and wondered what it truly takes to reach the pinnacle of success? Is it discipline? The ability to wake up at 4 a.m. and hit the gym before your competitors have even opened their eyes?
Or is there another player in the game, perhaps less flashy, but more impactful? What if I told you that, in my experience, being consistent trumps discipline in the marathon of success? Yep, that’s the golden ticket I’ve found.
There was a time when I thought discipline was the answer. I mean, it was the buzzword, right? Discipline here, discipline there. I would run ragged trying to maintain an impossible routine. But soon, it hit me like a ton of bricks. My 20 years of life was a lie! The raw discipline was just part of the picture; the real game-changer was consistency.
Why Being Consistent is More Important Than Being Disciplined for Success
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Isn’t discipline and consistency the same thing?” Well, not exactly. Let’s delve into the nuances.
1. Discipline is a Sprint, Consistency is a Marathon
Discipline is all about willpower. It’s the act of pushing yourself to do things even when you don’t want to. Don’t get me wrong, discipline is essential. But it’s like the sugar rush you get after devouring a candy bar. It gives you a jolt, but it’s fleeting.
Consistency, on the other hand, is about creating habits. It’s the daily grind, the choice to keep going even when the going gets tough. Heck, I’ve had days when I just didn’t feel like working, but because of the habits I’ve instilled in my daily routine, I trudged on. I wasn’t always pumped, but I was always present.
Discipline is all about willpower. Consistency, is about creating habits
2. Discipline can be Rigid; Consistency is Flexible
While discipline often revolves around rigid rules and regimes, consistency is more malleable. It’s the art of finding what works and sticking to it, even if it means tweaking it along the way. I remember a phase in my software engineer journey where I tried to maintain an 8–5 schedule. But soon, I realized that some of my best ideas came late at night. Instead of sticking to a rigorous discipline, I chose a consistent approach, which meant working when I felt most productive.
3. Consistency Builds Momentum
There’s a famous saying: “It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently.” And boy, is it spot on! When you’re consistent, you build momentum, which in turn propels you forward.
Think about it. Remember that time you decided to get in shape? If you hit the gym with intense discipline for a week and then gave up, you likely saw no results. But if you were consistent, maybe just 20 minutes a day, over time, you’d see a transformation.
4. Real-life Experiences
During the early days of my startup, I was all about those long hours and sleepless nights. I believed in hard work and discipline. But after a few burnouts, I realized that what mattered wasn’t just the intense bursts of energy but the day-to-day grind. It wasn’t about writing a brilliant business proposal in one night; it was about consistently reaching out to clients, refining my pitch, and staying persistent.
5. Embracing the Power of Small Wins
The beauty of consistency is in the little victories. A consistent effort, no matter how small, accumulates over time. As Robert Collier once said, “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” When I look back at my journey, it wasn’t just the big product launches or the significant investments that made the difference. It was the consistent emails, the regular check-ins, and the daily hustle.
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
- Robert Collier
In the ever-evolving dance of life and business, I’ve twirled with both discipline and consistency. And, while discipline played its part, giving me a structured beat to follow, it was consistency that truly led me through the most complex routines. It’s the foundation upon which I built my successes, the rhythmic pulse that kept my startup heart beating even in the face of adversity. You might be on the fence, juggling between discipline and consistency, but trust me, once you embrace the consistent flow, you’ll find yourself waltzing to success with much more grace.
So, I leave you with this — Are you relying solely on the jolts of discipline to push you forward? Or are you ready to embrace the steady, reliable hand of consistency to guide your journey? What small steps can you consistently take today that might transform your tomorrow?
