Struggling to be consistent?

Consistency is a critical driver for long-term change. It helps you build momentum, builds confidence, and helps you achieve your goals.

But being consistent can be hard!

If you struggle with consistently implementing any kind of change you desire, you’re not alone! I’ve been there (and still am sometimes!) And it’s the #1 struggle I hear from my clients.

Your goal might be to

• Meditate every day

• Start running

• Go for a daily walk

• Practice yoga

• Build strength

• Read a book

• Eat healthier

• Move more

• Support your brain health

Staying consistent is tough. Helping my clients find a way to be consistent is kind of my thing.

Ask yourself the questions below to help you with consistency.

Are you trying to do too much?

Look at your goal. Is it realistic? Take a moment to really consider this. While you do this let go of any “shoulds”.

Sometimes it’s tempting to go all out when making any change and it’s just not sustainable.

For example, you decide to meditate for 20 minutes. Or you decide to exercise for 1 hour every day. Or maybe you want to read for 30 minutes each day.

If we “go big or go home” then it’s easy to get burned out.

Years ago, I thought that to practice yoga I had to set aside 1 hour. That’s 60 minutes! Are you kidding me, what was I thinking?! My kids were very young at the time and a whole hour wasn’t realistic at that stage of my life.

Who am I kidding, I rarely practice for that long right now unless I attend a class.

Start small. Even tiny.

• You want to start meditating. Start with 2 minutes.

• You want to do a movement practice? Start with 5 minutes.

• You want to take time to read a book? Start with 1 page.

You may find after a while you want to add more time, more pages. Or maybe not. Either way, it’s easier to put in place.

Small actions lead to big impacts.

Did you schedule it?

If it’s not scheduled, it doesn’t exist. I hear a variation of this frequently from my business mentors. And it’s true.

If you don’t schedule time for your habit, it likely won’t happen. I hear you, you want to be flexible. You want to be able to spontaneously go for a run or strengthen your core.

But ask yourself, how many times did you actually do it when it wasn’t on your calendar?

Look at your schedule and see where you can realistically fit it in. You already reduced the amount of time, so you might find this easier.

And don’t worry about when the “best” time is supposed to be for something. For example, I read constantly that early morning time is the best time to practice yoga. Well, that doesn’t work for me at this stage of my life. Maybe someday. But not right now.

If I tried scheduling my practice in the early morning it wouldn’t happen. And I’d get frustrated with myself, which isn’t helpful.

Find a time that works for YOUR schedule. But DO schedule it.

Are you expecting too much?

Did you tell yourself that you’ll implement this new habit every single day? Or maybe 5 days every week. Maybe that’s too much right now.

And that’s okay.

Think of being consistent as implementing your new habit more often than not. Let go of any expectations that you “should” do something every single day.

I am often asked how often I practice yoga on my mat. I know that practicing 5-10 minutes 3 times per week helps to change the structure of a muscle. So that’s my baseline. When I practice more than that, awesome.

Are you tracking it?

Tracking a habit doesn’t mean you get down on yourself when you miss a day. It helps you visually see improvement when it comes to implementing your habit. It can be satisfying “checking” it off. And it can offer accountability.

You could place a check mark or smiley face on your calendar. I use a planner that gives space for habits.

Another option is to find an accountability partner. Share your goal with someone you can trust and you know will support you.

Sometimes telling someone helps keep you accountable to yourself. Or maybe you decide to text that person each week letting them know how often you did your new habit.

* Make sure this person is someone you trust and will be supportive. No negative Nellies wanted.

** If you need an accountability partner, let me know! I’m happy to support you!

Are you being hard on yourself?

Pay attention to what you tell yourself. If you missed a day of whatever change you want to start, what do you say to yourself?

Be honest.

No matter how hard you try to be consistent, you are going to make mistakes from time to time. Try not to beat yourself up over it. The reality is that life happens.

You come down with a cold.

A big project comes up.

You have a lot of appointments scheduled.

Your kids get sick.

You pull a muscle.

Life is just…extra busy.

What matters is what you do after. Get back to your goal. Keep moving forward.

You may get frustrated because you’re not seeing results fast enough. Remember that change takes time. Results lag behind. In Atomic Habits, James Clear says that habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.

Place your emphasis on the trajectory you are going, NOT on your current position.

If you’re on a good path then all you need is time!

What tips do you have to be consistent? Please share below!

Do you not feel motivated? Check out this article for some tips!