The Power of Persistency & Consistency: The Key to Remarkable Results & Sustainable Success
The secret to a thriving business is not luck. It's also not following all the latest marketing trends.
The secret is CONSISTENCY.
It is the #1 necessity to building a thriving biz, especially when it comes to marketing and messaging yourself.
So many entrepreneurs say they want success but are held back by excuses...
The market is saturated...
The economy is struggling...
They don't feel they stand out enough...
They don't have time or motivation...
They struggle with building good habits...
Unfortunately most are more concerned with overnight success, and going viral than being consistent. Consistency isn't fun or sexy, at least at first. That's why most entrepreneurs avoid it. But that's where your opportunity lies- because it's highly likely that your competitors aren't being consistent as they could be.
In this blog post, we'll discuss this common struggle many entreprenuers face when trying to pursue their goals and how to overcome inconsistency with practical steps and strategies.
"Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals."
Jim Rohn
Understanding Consistency
Consistency and persistence are related and overlapping concepts and it's rare to have one wthout the other. Both qualities are essential in achieving success as an entreprenueri.
Consistency refers to the ability to repeatedly perform a task, meet a goal or maintain a behavior, action or effort in a reliable manner. It involves creating patterns, routines and habits that ensure a regular and steady effort over time.It's about keeping things constant and predictable.
Persistence, on the other hand, emphasizes a continuous and determined effort in the face of adversity, setback or failure. It's about moving forward despite facing challenges or obstacles and is often linked to initiating change or achieving something beyond the ordinary. It involves resilience and pushing through barriers to achieve a specific goal or desired outcome.
Both consistency and persistence require
focus
dedication
discipline
determination
Think of it this way: consistency is the muscle that creates a foundation for you to race, while persistence is the endurance and drive that helps cross the finish line.
Consistency + Persistence = SUCCESS. Building the "skill" of consistency can help solo entreprenuers adapt and overcome the inevitable obstacles and challenges that come with starting, building and growing a business.
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."
Winston Churchill
A common misconception is that Consistency means that something is
Constant
Strict or rigid
Intense
Perfection
Let's reframe our definition! Consistency means CONTINUITY. It's about being steady, purposeful and repeated. It's about doing the best you can over time.
In other words, Consistency doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It's okay for consistency to fluctuate as projects change direction or pause, as long as you're self-aware about it. People can be inconsistent or undisciplined in some aspects of their lives while maintaining consistency in others by finding what parameters work for them. .
Understanding Motivation
We will only really take action to change our circumstances based on our motivations.
We may WANT to learn a new skill, but the fear motivator is telling us we’ll never be able to.
We may WANT to take a vacation, but the achievement motivator is pulling us to work instead of play.
We may WANT to be happy, but the motivation to be a part of a community won’t let us leave toxic environments.
By recognizing what is motivating you, either intrinsically or externally, causing you to act in various ways, you can start to leverage various motivators to change our habits and build consistency.
EXTERNAL MOTIVATION
When you are motivated by ...
Fear, Incentive, Power, Community
due to a desire for...
Safety, Reward, Control, Acceptance
INTRINSIC MOTIVATION
When you are motivated by...
Creativity, Physiology, Achievement, Attitude, Learning
due to a desire for...
Self Expression, Sustenance, Success, Happiness, Growth
Why is Consistency important?
If you don't have consistency in your business you won't build momentum, without the momentum it will just be a constant up hill struggle.
Consistency is crucial for entrepreneurs for several reasons. It serves as a foundational element that contributes to the growth, success, and sustainability of a business.
Your brand extends internally and externally across every channel, platform, media type, employee and customer. As such, consistency matters because
CONSISTENCY creates CONNECTION
Here's more of why consistency matters in creating a steady flow of opportunities:
Builds Trust and Credibility: Consistency in your actions, communication, and brand messaging helps your audience, customers, and clients know what to expect from you and your business, and increases the chances that they'll view you as reliable and trustworthy.
Establishes a Strong & Cohesive Brand Identity: Consistency across your branding elements, such as logo, colors, fonts, and tone makes your business easily recognizable and memorable, leading to better brand recall and customer loyalty.
Boosts Customer Satisfaction & Loyalty: When customers have positive and consistent interactions with your business through quality products, excellent service and experiences, they are more likely to leave positive reviews/testimonials and become repeat buyers and brand advocates.
Maintains Professionalism: Whether it's responding to emails promptly or regularlymeeting deadlines, taking your business seriously and commiting to your deliverables inspires confidence in your abilities and helps you retain customers and clients.
Increases Brand Awareness: Regularly engaging with your audience through content, social media, and campaigns keeps your brand top-of-mind and increases the chances of conversions.
Builds Momentum: Small, consistent actions and work habits lead to gradual progress, helping you achieve your long-term business goals over time.
Fosters Resiliency: Consistency helps entrepreneurs weather challenges and setbacks, helping to navigate obstacles and keep your business afloat during tough times.
Supports Time and Resource Management: When you have consistent sytemms, workflows, processes, and routines in place, you can optimize your productivity and allocate your time and other resources effectively.
Ensures Sustainability: Consistency ensures that you're not just seeking short-term gains but working toward your long-term vision, sustainable growth and success.
Provides a Competitive Edge: By consistently learning, adapting, and improving, you position yourself as knowledgeable, skilled and forward-thinking. Entrepreneurs who consistently deliver value, maintain a strong online presence, and engage with their audience stand out from competitors and are more likely to capture a larger share of the market.
Supports Manifestation: Keep your promises to yourself, the same way you do to other people you love . This is how you DECIDE to take your goals seriously and the universe responds and conspires to make it happen.
In essence, consistency is the glue that holds your business together. It helps you create a strong foundation for growth, build lasting relationships, and achieve your entrepreneurial aspirations.
"It's not about perfect. It's about effort. And when you bring that effort every single day, that's where transformation happens. That's how change occurs."
Jillian Michaels
Tasks that Require Consistency
As a solo entrepreneur, consistency is key to maintaining and growing your business effectively. Here are some of the operational tasks that typically require consistency in order to yield results.
Marketing Efforts
Consistently implementing your marketing strategies helps keep your business visible and attracts new customers.
Content Creation: Regularly producing high-quality content for your blog helps establish your expertise and engage your audience.
Social Media Management: Consistently posting updates, responding to comments, and engaging with your audience on social media builds a strong online presence.
Email Marketing: Sending out consistent email newsletters or updates to your subscribers helps you stay connected with your audience and nurture customer relationships.
Biz Administration
Client Communication: Consistently communicating with your clients, addressing their needs, and delivering on your promises is essential for building trust and retaining customers.
Product/Service Delivery: Delivering your products or services consistently, meeting deadlines, and maintaining a high level of quality will enhance your reputation.
Financial Tracking: Consistently tracking your income, expenses, and financial records helps you stay organized and make informed business decisions.
Customer Service: Providing consistent and exceptional customer service helps you retain existing customers and turn them into loyal brand advocates.
Traditional Biz Growth & Strategy
Networking: Regularly attending networking events, conferences, and industry meetups can help you expand your professional network and build valuable relationships.
Learning and Skill Development: Regularly investing time in learning new skills, staying updated with industry trends, and improving your expertise ensures you provide value to your clients.
Goal Setting and Planning: Consistently setting and reviewing your business goals, and creating actionable plans to achieve them, keeps you on track and motivated.
Feedback and Improvement: Consistently seeking feedback from clients and customers and using that feedback to improve your products, services, and processes is crucial for growth.
Innovation: Regularly brainstorming new ideas, innovations, and strategies keeps your business fresh and adaptable to changes in the market.
Self-Care: Consistently taking care of yourself by maintaining a healthy work-life balance, getting enough rest, and practicing self-care contributes to your overall well-being and productivity.
Remember, consistency doesn't mean rigidly sticking to something at all costs. It's about finding a balance that works for you and your business, while ensuring that your efforts are sustainable and aligned with your goals.
Success is "5% Brains and 95% Consistency"
The Energetics of Inconsistency
Consistency is ENERGY.
A lack of consistency, is a lack of GOOD energy. It's energy that is
leaky
stagnant
stuck
Unfortunately it has a way of rippling out to everything you do and are - your mindset, your strategy, your confidence.
For many people who are accustomed to procrastination, it can become a habit, or your baseline.
The key is to shift the energy and you do this by STARTING. Doing something different. Taking tiny bite-sized steps every day. Over time and effort you will open up those clogged channels of inspiration, motivation and passion that you've never experienced before.
"Life doesn't demand perfection. It doesn't require you to be constantly fearless, confident or self-assured. It simply requires that you keep showing up."
Marie Forleo
Consistency Tips & Tricks
There's no way around it: Consistent marketing efforts are more likely to yield positive results for your biz.
The pursuit of consistency is an act of personal and professional development, encouraging growth and self-improvement in all areas of your life. Consistently managing your time effectively, setting priorities, and avoiding distractions helps you accomplish all your business tasks efficiently and effectively.
Here are some ways that you can practice strengthening your consistency muscle. Over time consistency will start to feel more natural and sustainable.
1. Clarify Your Purpose & Goals
Consistency starts with a clear understanding of who you are, what you offer, why you do what you do, and how you plan to do it. This clarity will serve as your roadmap and compass, guiding every marketing action you take.
Make consistency part of your core values, your mission statement or business principles. Put it front and center on your website to hold yourself accountable, and encourage your customers to do the same.
Setting small, achievable micro-goals can help maintain momentum and focus on personal success rather than external measures.
Establish "S.M.A.R.T" goals to practice and "workout" the skill of consistency. Achieving these may not move the needle in a major way (at first) but they will enhance your sense of accomplishment and confidence, and that in itself is a major shift and step forward!
Specific: Be detailed!
Measurable: Measure your progress!
Achievable: Start small!
Relevant: Make it count!
Time-Bound: See a timeline!
Examples of realistic SMART Goals:
1 month of bi-weekly social media posting
2 months of weekly blogging
3 months of monthly email newsletters
2. Plan Accordingly
Consistency can be daunting when tasks seem overwhelming.
Develop a content calendar that outlines your marketing activities for each week or month. This calendar not only helps you organize your efforts but also ensures that you always have fresh content to share.
Break down your marketing activities into smaller, manageable tasks. For example, instead of writing an entire blog post in one sitting, break it into stages of outlining, drafting, editing, and finalizing.
Master the fundamentals and basics before delving into advanced strategies. This applies to any pursuit, and leads to measurable progress and ongoing inspiration. Prioritize the things that matter first, tracing from the point of sale back. For example, First, optimize your payment processing/checkout systems. Next improve user experience and accessibility on your website. Finally, integrate a clear, concise CTA.
Recognize tasks that align with your strengths and passions and those that are essential for your business. Delegate tasks that are outside your expertise or that you find challenging to maintain consistency with.
3. Be Present & Purposeful
Flaking out and breaking promises to others shows a lack of respect. We wouldn't treat our loved ones that way so why would we do it to ourselves? It’s the little, daily promises to yourself that change your life. And it all starts in your mind.
Tell yourself that you're a consistent person! Tell yourself that you are someone who always follows through. The following affirmations can be repeated daily to reinforce a positive mindset and encourage consistent action and effort.
I am committed to my goals and take consistent action to achieve them.
With each small step I take, I am building a foundation of success.
I trust in my ability to stay focused and dedicated to my tasks every day.
I embrace the power of consistency, knowing that it leads to positive change.
I am in control of my choices, and I choose to show up consistently for myself every day.
I am accomplishing my dreams and goals daily, weekly and monthly.
I do not procrastinate or make excuses any more.
I will not settle for anything less than 100% of myself.
I am overcoming and conquering all obstacles in my way.
Aim to be fully engaged in the task at hand by minimizing distractions, and quieting the mind's doubts and fears.
Prioritize Quality Over Quantity, or Speed. There is no point in flooding your audience with mediocre content that will never be shared or remembered. Deliver valuable, relevant content that resonates with your target audience and keeps them coming back for more.
Embracing a "Beginner's Mindset" can help cultivate curiosity, humility, and open-mindedness, enhancing creativity.Release fear around failure and judgement of others and go for it. What is the worst that can happen?
Authenticity matters most. Don't get caught up in the frenzy of comparing yourself to others or trying to keep up with societal expectations. Be true to your brand and vision and focus on what you truly feels most aligned to you. The right audience or customer will notice, resonate and respond.
4. Do It Anyway
Feeling uninspired? Do it anyway! Feeling insecure? Do it anyway! Feeling unprepared? Do it anyway!
Instead of waiting for a strike of motivation (that is rare) or until you feel 100% ready (that will never happen), commit to taking action every day. Over time, the progress will be evident and you'll wonder why you didn't start sooner.
Remember, there is someoneout there doing exactly what you're doing, but worse. They're flailing and fumbling. The only difference is their consistency and confidence.
So...
Record the video or podcast
Submit the post or article
Launch the website or program
Join the team or mastermind
Publish the book
Create the graphic
Pitch the offer
Stop worrying about the "necessary" training, the proper editing, the right equipment, the group approval - all of the details and ideals. Just DO IT. No matter what.
Imperfect action is going to help you FAR MORE than no action at all. You will figure it out and improve as you go along. Sometimes, a negative experience can even serve as a wake-up call to prompt you to start and maintain a regular practice of something.
"The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success."
David Sarnoff
4. Develop Systems & Structures
Invest in yourself! Automation tools and techniques can be a lifesaver for busy entrepreneurs, freeing up your time and ensuring a steady stream of deliverables.
Design your workspace to minimize any sensory triggers. Use noise-canceling headphones, adjust lighting, or include sensory-friendly elements.
Visual schedules, to-do lists, and digital tools can help in organizing tasks and breaking them down into manageable steps. This visual approach can aid in maintaining consistency.
Don’t force what doesn’t align. Look into delegating or outsourcing the tasks you don’t enjoy so that your energy can focus on what comes more naturally for you.
Explore different routines to find what works best for you. Some people thrive with consistent routines, while others may find more success with flexible routines that accommodate varying energy levels.
Find an accountability partner, coach, or mentor who can provide guidance, support, and encouragement that will increase your liklihood of consistency and follow-through. Sharing your goals and timelines with trusted people in your "mastermind" group can help you stay on track. Work with someone who has taken their own Biz to where you want to go. Learn from their wins, and their mistakes!
."Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."
Robert Collier
5. Go with the Flow
While consistency is important, the business landscape can change at the drop of a hat. Its important to adapt to changing circumstances, learn from experiences, and make improvements to stay relevant in a dynamic market.
Embrace a flexible approach that allows for adjustments based on energy levels and changing interests.
Adapt your marketing strategies as needed, based on trends and feedback. Refine your approach to keep it relevant.
Acknowledge that the journey toward any goal will have challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt. Being prepared for these tough times helps you persevere when motivation wanes.
7. Practice Patience & Self-Compassion
Remember, Consistency is a JOURNEY, not a destination. And at the end of the day, you're a complex HUMAN, not a machine. Give yourself space and grace.
Celebrate small wins and achievements along the way. Acknowledge every milestone, whether it's hitting a certain number of followers or receiving positive feedback on your content.
Instead of dwelling on missed days or setbacks, practice self-forgiveness and resume your efforts. This mindset allows you to recover faster and maintain consistency. Forgive yourself quickly and get back on track!
Recognize that challenges are part of the journey. Try to see the silver lining in every set back.
Be kind and loving to yourself. You don't have to be consistent every day to be valued and worthy, or even "successful." In reality, YOU determine your own standard of success.
"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
John D. Rockefeller
Inconsistent Wiring
What happens if you've tried being consistent in your business and simply CAN. NOT?
I personally love creating structures, routines, and rituals. But following them is next to impossible. I seem to have an "inner teenager" - a subconscious inner rebel who doesn't want to be told what to do. I daydream of endless unstructured free time with no obligations, pressure or expectations put upon me.
If you're a fellow neurodivergent individual with unique ways of thinking and experiencing the world then you're probably used to encountering challenges in life and work due to differences in how you process information. You likely have sensory sensitivities, executive function difficulties, and varying levels of focus and interest and energy that make running a business that much more challenging.
If that's the case, then there are some additional strategies to promote consistency for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs:
Understand Your Neurodiversity: Self-awareness is key. Understanding how your neurodivergent traits impact your work habits and consistency is the first step towards developing effective strategies.
Leverage Your Strengths: Use your ability to hyperfocus to your advantage by dedicating specific time blocks for tasks that require intense concentration. However, also set alarms or reminders to ensure you don't lose track of time.
Reframe your Tasks. Remind yourself that you're not committing to FOREVER, you're simply collecting data, exploring and expirementing. You're there to be curious and determine if that habit is fun or not, and why.
Seek Professional Support: Working with a coach, therapist, or mentor who understands neurodiversity can provide valuable insights and strategies tailored to your specific needs.
By embracing your neurodiversity as a SUPERPOWER and implementing some customized tweaks and accomodations you can develop consistency over time and build a thriving heart-led business that works for you.
"Energy and persistence conquer all things."
Benjamin Franklin
Your Productivity, Your Authenticity, Your Worth
Let's be REAL: not every small business owner has the time, energy, or bandwidth for consistency. Or maybe they do, but it's directed at other areas of the business, not marketing. Life hapens.
Consistency is one of the keys to entreprenuerial success, but it not the only key. Perhpaps what's more important above all is AUTHENTICITY.
Anything else is unsustainable.
Remember that at the end of the day your worth is not determined by your ability to be consistent or productive, especially by society's standards and expectations.
Social media and CAPITALISM has a way of convincing us we need to be ON all the time and delivering results for ourself, and others. We're taught that in order to be valuable you must also always be moving, working and contributing.
But, business and work is not the only form of productivity.
Rest and down-time is productive too!
Your hobbies
Your quality time with your family or friends
Your therapy or self-care time
Your alone time
These are ALL productive activities too. Because productivity is unique to every one - determined by the needs of your body, mind and heart.
Whether it's on your best days, on your worst days, on your mediocre days - you are always valuable.
Wrapping It All Up
Consistency is the bridge between Aspiration and Accomplishment, between Fluctuation and Flow. Consistency sounds simple on paper, but we all knows little more complicated in the execution.
The key to consistency lies in focusing on the PROCESS rather than fixating solely on the desired outcome. As such, it's important to take action and embrace the mess, finding joy in your journey however you can.
Keep showing up! Keep moving forward! Keep trying! There are no failures only lessons.
Success is about sustained progress over time. It's about finding a frequency that aligns with your unique strengths and supports your business goals.
Whether it's marketing strategy, customer service, product innovation, or any other aspect of your business, developing and maintaining consistency in your business requires focus, dedication, careful planning, and above all- alignment and authenticity.
By following the strategies above and trusting in your own pace and timing, you can create a foundation that will propel your business forward.
Fast success builds Ego. Slow success builds Character
As a Neurodivergent Entrepreneur myself, I understand first-hand the challenges that fellow heart-led solopreneurs face in "keeping up with the Joneses." My mission is to support entrepreneurs like you in their marketing journey. If you're ready to take the next step, reach out today. Let's create a consistent and impactful marketing strategy together!
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Erin is a certified feng shui consultant, energy healer, wellness coach and holistic growth strategist.
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