Chances are that most everyone whom you admire, respect and look up to more than likely has this trait as part of the way they function. That’s why you like them. You can count on them!

You find this trait in athletes, musicians, good business leaders and most anyone else who has achieved a high level of success in their chosen field.

I’m speaking of “Consistency!”

Many of us can be consistent at something for a short period of time, but then seem to lose our edge and slip into mediocre work and life that is, at best, average.

You see this at work at the local fitness center. Toward the end of the year (after having eaten too much between Thanksgiving and Christmas we, with strong determination, sign up for a membership vowing to ourselves and our family that we are going to get into shape and shed those pounds starting in January.

Come March or April, we have long since given up on going “Consistently” to said fitness facility and have added even more pounds leading to deep discouragement.

Perhaps the workers and owners at your Fitness Center sing these words:

“Where have all the people gone, long time passing. Where have all the people gone, gone to inconsistency everyone! Oh, when will they ever learn, when will they ever learn.”

This tendency often carries over to other areas of our lives—such as consistently spending quality time with our family, consistently reading our Bibles and praying, consistently attending church, consistently serving at our church (or any other organization we made promises to), consistently keeping our spending within our agreed-upon budget and saving some each month. We are simply, and sadly, not consistent at things we should and can be. We start something with good intentions but those intentions don’t last long enough to pay off.

It was Woody Allen who said, “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” Maybe it would be better said, eighty percent of success is showing up consistently.

There is a principle which I encountered a number of years ago:

“The cumulative effective of small things over an extended period of time.”

It’s one of those universal life principles which is effective in any area of life, family and work.

https://davekraft.org/2020/03/27/the-cumulative-effect/

Consistency builds credibility and trust which are two of the       foundations for all good relationships.

Allow a thought from my own experience: Take ONE area and start with ONE small step and build from there. Don’t bite off too much.

My purpose in bringing up this issue is not to give you a simple formula for going from inconsistent to consistent in three easy steps. It’s not that easy. We have acquired habits that have allowed us to live with inconsistency in numerous areas of life for a long time; much to our harm and the harm of those we are closest to.

Our habits of inconsistency may have cost us a job, a place on the sports team, our health or even our marriage. It’s a big deal with a big price tag.

May I close by just asking you to admit it’s a problem for you (if it is). My name is Dave Kraft and I am an inconsistent-aholic.

Begin praying for His help as you honestly discuss this with your family, friends and coworkers. Generate some ideas as to how (over time) you can build good habits to replace the bad habits that got you to where you are today. It’s tough but well worth the time and effort. I know. With His help I’ve done it!