Consistency Is Key

Consistency Is Key

By NAfME Member Lori Schwartz Reichl

“Consistency is a key element, without which a leader is incapable of getting respect, success or even developing confidence in others.” – Daniel Transon

“Consistency is key” is a phrase that means to be dedicated and focused on a goal, and to remain committed to a task or habit. Consistency is one of the most important factors when achieving long-term success. Whether it’s building habits and routines, developing skills, or maintaining relationships, showing up regularly or acting similarly makes a huge difference in your success and the success of those you love, serve, or lead. Consistency is key to turning goals into lasting habits in ourselves and others.

Consistency can be incredibly helpful for building habits, achieving long-term goals, or creating systems that work in our living and working situations. Think about how consistency and routines work well in your classroom, company, community, or home. Do students know what to do when they enter your classroom? Are they meeting these expectations daily? Do employees follow policies and procedures in your company? Are they maintaining these habits regularly? Do members of your organization, neighborhood, or family treat one another well? Are they choosing civility each day? Who holds the various contributors accountable for meeting these expectations and maintaining consistency? How are your students, employees, community members, or loved ones growing? Are they growing or are they stagnant?

Consistency, accountability, and growth are three fundamental pillars of personal and professional development (read about these later in the article). As we discussed in the Making Key Changes podcast episode #51 Consistency Is Key, consistency thrives in routine. The more habitual routines become, the less mental energy it takes to maintain them. Once you establish consistent routines, you can direct your focus to other areas that need improvement and attention.

The 5 Key Changes Needed for Consistency

Consider these key changes you can make to be more consistent throughout the year with your desired goals:

1. Start Small, Then Crescendo

If you remember from podcast episode #47 Believe, some people prefer to tiptoe into a new year like a mouse, rather than to roar like a lion. It’s tempting to aim for big, sweeping changes, but consistency is easier to maintain with small, manageable key changes. Think of the tale of the tortoise and the hare where “slow and steady won the race.” The tortoise represented patience and hard work, while the hare represented arrogance and carelessness. The hare was so cocky that he decided to take a nap before finishing the race. Meanwhile, the tortoise did not say a word. He simply kept moving forward with small steps. The tortoise passed the sleeping hare and won the race. Focus on one area or goal at a time and then increase your intensity. Model this same process for those you love, serve, or lead.

2. Create a Routine by Setting Specific Goals

Vague resolutions like “be healthier” or “get in shape” are hard to track. Make goals clear and measurable, so progress can be observed. If you hope to get in shape, then create a routine of lifting weights for 20 minutes every other day or walking 30 minutes each day. If you want to be healthier, swap your chips for protein or eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal. If you hope to engage your mind more, then read 10 pages most days or set a timer and read for 20 minutes each night. Make a specific goal and include it in your daily routine.

3. Track Your Progress & Celebrate It

Tracking your progress or the progress of those you are leading not only provides motivation but also helps recognize how far you or they have come. Use a journal, an app, or a calendar to check off completed tasks, and celebrate wins along the way! Recognize and reward yourself and others for the small milestones. This keeps motivation high and helps everyone to stay excited about the goals.

4. Stay Flexible

Life can throw curveballs for you or those you love, serve, or lead. Goals may need to be adjusted. Don’t be afraid to reevaluate and adapt the goals if necessary. The key is to stay committed and as consistent as you can, even if the path shifts a bit. Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about persistence! Instead of using the word perfect, as an adjective or noun, consider the word master (or something similar) which means to acquire knowledge, gain control, and overcome. Learn, adapt, and conquer.

5. Surround Yourself with Support

Just like in podcast episode #49 A Word to the Wise where we shared our ONE word with others, do the same with your goals. Tell a friend or family member. Join an online community if that’s your thing. Allow others to help you remain consistent. Accountability and encouragement from others can boost your commitment and keep you motivated. Their support will help you (and them!) to grow.

3 Keys to Unlock Lasting Change

By applying a mindset of steady progress, you’ll build the momentum you need to make lasting key changes. Consistency, accountability, and growth are three fundamental pillars of personal and professional development which are needed to unlock lasting change in yourself and others.

Consistency is about doing something regularly, regardless of external factors or initial challenges. It’s the act of showing up and putting in the effort steadily over time, even when results aren’t immediate. Small actions taken consistently lead to bigger results. Consistency builds momentum and strengthens habits, making it more likely that you and those you love, serve, or lead will overcome obstacles and continue even when motivation wanes.

Accountability is taking responsibility for your actions, decisions, and progress. It often involves being answerable to yourself or someone else such as a mentor, coach, or peer. When you’re tracking your own progress or the progress of others, or know someone is tracking it, you’re more likely to stay committed. Accountability helps reinforce commitment and serves as a powerful motivator to stay on track, so that all those involved don’t get distracted or lose sight of the goals.

Growth refers to the improvement or development that occurs as a result of consistent effort and accountability. Growth can occur in knowledge, skills, emotional intelligence, or even in relationships and health. Asking the simple question, “How are we making key changes to grow?” can be a guiding force.

When all three—consistency, accountability, and growth—are aligned, the alignment creates a powerful feedback loop that drives personal transformation, allowing key changes to be made.

How are you and those you love, serve, or lead making key changes to be more consistent? Listen to episode #51 of the Making Key Changes podcast, titled “Consistency Is Key,” to learn more ways to be more consistent in your classroom, company, community, or home.

Photo at top by Florian Berger on Unsplash

About the author:

NAfME member Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl is the visionary thought leader of Making Key Changes. Her career began in music education where she learned the importance of a key change—a shift in the tonal center of a piece of music, often used to inject energy or produce significance. She eventually realized the necessity and impact of making key changes in many areas of her life and the desire to help others do the same.

Since transitioning out of one classroom as a public school teacher, Lori has uniquely created a global classroom for her work. She motivates organizations, teams, and individuals to reflect on their daily practices and offers actionable key changes to grow. She guides all contributors to create and maintain a shared vision in their communities, companies, classrooms, and careers. Together, they unlock their greatest potential in collaboration with those they love, serve, and lead.

Learn more about Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl at MakingKeyChanges.com. Subscribe to her Making Key Changes weekly newsletter and listen to her weekly podcast.

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