Whether you’re an employee, a manager, or the CEO, your value to an organization is based on your perceived potential. In other words, what can you accomplish tomorrow? Next month? Next year? How productive will you be in the future? Of course, there’s no way to know for sure …
Ultimately, your potential is someone else’s educated guess. It’s an assumption your employer makes based, largely, on one question: Are you consistent?
Most people can have one good meeting, one good presentation or conference. Most people can conjure excellence every now and again. But doing so consistently illustrates something special, something valuable for employers and employees alike. Here are a few points to remember if you're struggling with consistency.
1. Isolate one goal.
2. Focus on incremental improvement.
3. Fight your emotions.
4. Forgive your failures.
Developing consistency goes against human nature. It’s burdensome, especially at first. It takes a lot of energy, a finite resource. Don’t make the process even more challenging by trying to do too much all at once. You’re not going to develop a positive, worthwhile habit overnight. Our brains don’t work that way. In fact, new research declares that it could take months to permanently change your behaviour. Months. Allow yourself to notice and celebrate the small wins, the incremental improvements you achieve along the way. They’ll keep you motivated. Don’t fall for it. Push forward. Fight your emotions. If you don’t, you’ll stay stuck. Whatever your goal may be, you’re bound to misstep from time to time – and that’s okay. Forgive your failures and keep moving forward.
Consistency breeds trust, especially at work. Consistent employees are dependable and predictable, comforting to managers and colleagues and customers alike. Are you consistent?
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