4 Ways to Improve Consistency

This entry was posted in Goals Mindset on by (updated on )

We know consistency is important in achieving any goal that we may have, whether it be health & fitness, financial, or family related.

However, being consistent is much easier said than done, right? Believe me, I’m not consistent with a lot of things, even though I know it works and produces results.  We’ve all heard a thousand times that we need to be consistent to achieve our goals, but how do we do it?

consistency fb

A recent trip to the dentist for my 6 month cleaning sure did give me a rude awakening about the importance of being consistent with flossing my teeth.  I had a great hygienist this time who really spoke my language about the importance of flossing, how to do it correctly, and how it affects my overall health.

I finally understood how not flossing and letting the bacteria build up in my gums and cause inflammation affects my immune system.  Needless to say, I’ve made it my goal to do better at this.  I don’t have to let those Captain Hook tools hurt my gums anymore 😉

After this enlightening moment at the dentist office, I decided I was going to start flossing everyday until my next cleaning in October to see if I could see a difference.  I really hate flossing and it is sooooooo boring, so how was I going to do this?  I sat down and came up with a plan that included using the 4 tips below.

Check them out and see how they could assist you with incorporating a new habit or behavior that you want to work on that will help you reach your goals.

4 Tips/Tools That Will Improve Consistency When Practicing a New Behavior or Habit.

1. Define the new behavior or action that you want to take. Start with only one behavior or habit that is IMPORTANT to you.  Don’t forget to write it down and the purpose/reason behind why you want to start practicing this new behavior.  Better yet…TELL somebody about it!

2. Practice this new behavior at the SAME TIME every day that you have committed to practicing it.  First of all, we may have a habit or behavior that is not appropriate to do everyday.  For example, strength training may only be done 3 x/week, but flossing your teeth or eating veggies is important to do everyday.

We have the best compliance when we practice the new behavior at the SAME TIME everyday because it creates a routine, but the most important part is that you do it!

3. Chart your progress on a calendar or spreadsheet. Get some FUN stickers or something that you can place on a calendar or dry erase board that is visual so that you can see your progress over time. We have to SEE our WINS and how far we’ve come to want to keep doing them!

4.  Give up PERFECTION.  Guess what, when practicing a brand new behavior or action, we will slip up, miss a day or two, or have some type of set back.  This is when a lot of us give up and just say, “Screw it, it’s not worth it, and I’ll never get it right.”  However, successful people acknowledge the slip up or set back, and get right back on track at the next opportunity.

Difference between setback and failure photo credit:  Barbell Babes:  www.barbellbabes.com

What ideas, tips, or tools do you use to practice and improve consistency?  Also, let me know how it is going for you and what new behavior or action you are working on practicing consistently!  In the meantime, I’ll be flossing away!

Thanks for stopping by,

Tommie

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