I've wanted to write on consistency for some time now. It's a theme I have a deep desire to understand. Personally, I try to apply concepts that help me achieve consistency and I'm actively seeking information to better understand what makes some people consistent, and others not so much. Although I fall short, I feel I’m growing a little bit at a time.
In a nutshell, being consistent is something we are all capable of, and it has a price. What price are we willing to pay for the green grass to grow on our side? What does it mean to have consistency? First, we can agree consistency is a pattern of behavior, harmony, a trait in character that demonstrates stability and accountability. We can find consistency in architecture all around us. The opposite of consistency is inconsistency, which is not staying the same, varying like the ocean in motion.
We human beings are creatures of habit, with a lot of research pointing to the fact we become what we practice to be. Unfortunately, we didn't get a user manual with our brains, but if we seek, the information we seek is usually revealed to us. Why are some of us inconsistent? It's because we have conditioned the body to the mind of inconsistency. The functionalities of the body have a governor loyal to survival and energy conservation, automating our repeated behaviors into the subconscious mind, the good ones and bad ones. Habits rule. What we say is important, but what we do is more important. Try challenging yourself to a goal and see where it leads you. Remember consistency stands on a mountain, the only way to enjoy the view is to climb it.
When I think of musical prowess, I think of Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, and Keith Jarret. I stand in awe of their musical capacities. It’s safe to say they were pretty consistent with practicing their craft. There was a time when I thought great musicians where pre-destined and just blessed with amazing genes, the chosen few. But it’s a few who decidedly took on the ambitious feat, braved a process, learned to love it, and sacrificed for a vision, when the world may have reflected some very different than that which they envisioned. I'm learning through perseverance, discipline, and determination we can learn to be consistent action over time gets the grass to grow on our side of the fence. Nothing happens overnight and if we apply ourselves, growth is inevitable.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
"We must all suffer from one of the two pains, the pain of discipline or the pain of regret, one weighs ounces, while regret weighs tons.” - Jim Rohn
"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment". - Jim Rohn
Bruce Lee, “I fear not the man who practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who practiced one kick, 10,000 times.”
