From the desk of Caitlin Hanson,
Okay, I have a confession…Last winter, I signed up for a gym membership and it only lasted three. sad. months. (okay, I can feel the judgment…but hear me out!!)
With the busyness of life, it became too hard to get my butt to the gym. After a long day at work and running errands, the last thing I wanted to do was to embrace the frozen winter air and drive to the gym to only be intimidated by fit and hard core gym-goers.
It was so easy to justify not going with those excuses.
But the times I did get there and finally jumped on the treadmill or finished a set of weights, I felt accomplished… but in the end, I wasn’t consistent.
I was proud of myself for at least trying what so many people can do so seamlessly every day but I definitely got in my head and felt discouraged when I realized it wasn’t pushing me in the healthy way I needed. The excuses kept piling up and I felt guilty every time.
What has prevented you from being consistent with certain things in your life?
Here are a few practical tips that I’ve learned for how to stay consistent:
- Create a plan tailored to YOU
I decided to be realistic with myself and I found that exercising from home worked the best for both me and with my busy and unpredictable schedule.
What works the best for you to stay consistent?
Is it planning out little goals during your week, a to-do list everyday, or doing it with a friend? There is more than one cookie-cutter way to create the habit of consistency – be creative with it!
- Little goals a long way
What would you consider a reward? Is it a shopping spree, a gourmet dinner, or a night in with just you, your guilty-pleasure snack, and your favorite movie or tv series?
Once you have created your plan for crushing your workouts every week, finishing a project ahead of schedule, learning a new language, or maintaining a healthy diet – it’s perfectly okay to reward yourself every so often!
Jot down a list of rewards for each time you reach and accomplish a goal so you have something to look forward to. A little incentive is a healthy way to keep taking care of yourself both mentally and emotionally!
- Find Accountability
A support system can make a whole difference when trying to navigate the journey of better consistency. It’s so easy to get in our heads and start believing halfway through that it’s not worth it. But here’s a reminder – IT IS!
Reach out to a friend who knows what your desire or goal is. Whether it is to eat better, practice your creative hobbies more frequently, to save more each paycheck, or even to put aside time to rest every week. Share your game plan and invite them to be your cheerleader when you’ll need someone to both celebrate and encourage your progress!! A simple reminder or check in from someone else can be just the push you need.
What does God say about this?
It is so important to remember that the work and time you put into yourself, loved ones, and your career should all be reflected back to your relationship with God. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
While we desire consistency in our lives to reach certain milestones and goals, the reality is, we will fail most of the time. But that time isn’t wasted, because God is consistent in giving His love and grace to us every day.
What Next?
At You Flourish, we want you to prosper on your journey of finding healthy and sustainable consistency in your life. We offer many resources for you or your team for how to stay consistent. Reach out to book us for a coaching workshop or click HERE to learn more!