Consistency is the belt that fastens excellence in position. If you don’t do it repeatedly, you’ll not excel in it.
-Israelmore Ayivor, Let’s Go to the Next Level
Unfortunately, consistency is not one of my greatest strengths. I’m fascinated by people who excel in this area. It’s truly an art form.
I seem to have this way of quitting right before the miracle every single time. I’m not sure of the exact reason. Maybe boredom, fear of success, fear of failure…
So in response to this ongoing dilemma, Consistency is my word for this year. This will be my #1 focus and thankfully, it can kick off a great deal of positive change in every aspect of life: relationships, health, business, etc.
It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently.
-Anthony Robbins
Amen, Anthony.
I’m incredible at starting things! The initial passion for a project keeps me moving forward at a beautifully productive pace. Unfortunately, the start up is not where the magic happens.
Miracles happen when we commit over time and consistently take action. I understand God can provide instantaneous miracles, but we cannot. He wants us to work and SHOW UP.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
-Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
My biggest resolution for the year is to not give up. Hopefully through consistently taking action in all areas of my life, I can finally make it to the miracles. I’m excited to see how the momentum from even just showing up every day will propel my relationships, this blog, the health of my entire family, and my growing essential oil business.
I’ve recently started coaching with Jen Poulson and I’m thankfully already seeing changes in my distorted thinking habits. She uses Power Questions to help focus on issues in a more positive light. For instance, instead of asking ourselves “Why do I keep getting stuck in life?”, a better option might be:
Why is it so fun to keep moving forward in life?
-Jen Poulson
Ahhh, as Jen would say, take a breath on that…
Life can be fun. Moving forward is fun and so necessary! We can find daily joy in the fine art of consistency.
We don’t need to complete monumental tasks every day without fail. Let’s start small and maybe choose a goal in a few different areas. Do you need to drink more water? Use a daily checklist to make sure you’re getting 8 glasses a day.
I’ve chosen one consistent task in each of my 3 favorite categories to get started: body, mind, and soul. For Body, I’m committing to meal planning. This also covers some important family goals of mine as it will bring us around the dinner table to a healthy meal and precious time together every night.
For Mind, I will be more consistent in my essential oil regimen for emotional support. I know without a doubt through personal experience how helpful these little natural solutions are, but it seems when I’m at my lowest, they stay locked away in my pretty bamboo box. I’ve set up a daily protocol that’s already helping tremendously.
Last but certainly not least, for Soul, I’m starting each day with God. Before I check email, social media, or any other distraction on my phone, I open up my First 5 app from Proverbs 31 Ministries. Reading through the devotional and then the assigned book from the Bible is truly the perfect way to start any day.
I would love to hear from you in the comments! What is something you would like to do more consistently to help move you forward in life? Remember, this doesn’t need to be a huge task. Small actions done on a daily basis absolutely shape our entire lives.
As always, thank you for being on this journey with me. If you are new here, please subscribe to my free newsletter so we can get to know each other better!
Great encouragement to start the year, Candace. I love that you said that miracles happen when you commit over time. So. True.
I truly believe that, Dianne. In the past, I always looked for the quick fix or win. It’s taken me years to realize those are not even close to the greatness of a long awaited miracle :).
I am visiting from Purposeful Faith. The quote at the top of the post immediately drew me in as such a powerful thing to remember. Excellent post. All of us struggle with consistency to one degree or another. We surely need the Lord’s grace daily to help us in this.
We really do all struggle with this, Pam. I completely agree. I’m looking forward to finding some peace and a healthy daily rhythm over the upcoming year.
Consistency is something I need more of, too, Candace. I wish you God’s grace in your commitments this year! I’m so glad life coaching is helping you to get rid of some distorted thinking habits. It can be hard, can’t it? I hope we will hear more about what you have learned. 🙂 Love and hugs!
I will definitely keep you posted on my coaching progress and more of her great advice, Trudy :). Wishing you lots of God’s grace this year as well, my friend. Love and hugs to you!
Body, mind, and soul…those are three simple yet profound reminders. You’ve inspired me to stay on track this week. Pinned and shared!
Those 3 areas really all need to be nurtured, Sarah. I’m trying to work on balancing all of them this year :). Thanks so much for sharing! I hope you have a great week!
I hear you on this . Sometimes I am consistent and sometimes…. not so much. So maybe I am consistently imperfect? Is that good?!
Keep it oily lady 🙂 I’m right there with you on that!
Consistently imperfect! I love that, Jen. I’m with you. And yes, I’ll always keep it oily, my friend ;). I’m so glad you enjoy the benefits of those little wonders too.
Consistency is such a great word. I also find myself eager and motivated on the front end of things but not always at the back end.
I know God is going to teach you so much this year. I love that you are looking at body, mind and spirit. That’s how I am looking at my surrendering this year.
The front end is where I shine as well, Mary. I’m looking forward to seeing where God leads me with this. I must say your word keeps coming to my mind ever since I read your decision to choose surrender. I’m definitely thinking He’s trying to tell me something with that too!
Thanks for the encouragement, Candace; I, too, struggle with consistency. I love how you’ve broken it down into three key areas. Feeling inspired 🙂
I’m so happy to hear you’ve been inspired here, Carlie! Consistency is definitely a work in progress for me. I truly believe it will take the entire year to finally find it, but I’ll be thrilled to end 2018 reaching that goal.
I also struggle with consistency. I was abstinent for 15 months and relapsed for 4 months. I am trying to grab a hold of anyone and anything to never go back there again. I am using your powerful and encouraging words to pick me up. I want to thrive I want to grow. I am ready but trying not to feel defeated yet again.
I can so relate to you, Rebecca. I’ve struggled with relapse and feelings of defeat so many times over the years. We can do this! Praying for you now. Remember that recovery is a journey, not a destination. There will always be bumps in the road. The key is to keep moving forward :).
Candace ~ I love love love that you’ve chosen consistency as an emphasis. This is beautifully important, something I never really considered.
And that you’ve chosen goals for body, mind, and soul. So important, so meaningful. We tend to focus on one to the exclusion of the others.
I leave here inspired, friend!
I’m really excited about this word for the year, Linda. I truly heard God send it to me loud and clear. Consistency has been a lifelong struggle for me. I’m looking forward to great progress over the coming months in this area :).
I am working on meal planning better and spending more time with God. Both challenging for me!
Those are both challenging for me as well, Sarah! But they are wonderful and incredibly important goals. We can definitely find success in both of those areas. I have no doubts ;).
What a great focus for the year!
I’m looking forward to finally finding some consistent success this year, Akaleistar ;). I hope you have a fantastic 2018!
I love your word, Candace. I get it. Oh, do I ever. I’m really good at being consistent on the stuff that is gratifying and easy. But the things that take a bit of work, intention, or anxiety? Yeah, not so much.
The quotes you shared were amazing. Your goals in those three critical areas sound perfect. One of my goals is to spend more time in the word DAILY. #Consistency And my word is Clarity- praying for direction and clarity in many areas of my life.
BTW-. I have never tried essential oils… it sounds like I am missing something pretty amazing.
Clarity is a great word, Chris! I’ll be praying that you find it, my friend. We have to talk about essential oils! I’m in a bit of a state of shock that you’ve never tried them. Let me know how I can help. We have some free online classes coming up if your interested :). I’m here whenever you’re ready.
Sounds like you have some good goals to help you with your Consistency word this year. Some of us can err too far on the other side of consistency and become too rigid (that’s me), so I enjoy seeing your perspective. 🙂
There is definitely a happy medium between our 2 extremes, Lisa :). I’m hoping to fall in that sweet spot as I work on this issue over the coming year.
I love your blog and I love your honesty about resolutions! This is my second year to focus on one word for the year and this years word is “Grace” . I see it as Grace for others and Grace for myself to not have to do everything perfect ! I recently was praying and I felt like God was telling me to focus on stability too. He is my stability in everything I do! I am looking to God to give me the stability in my health this year and that includes making better decisions such as drinking more water ! I am going to use your idea about the checklist ! Thank you again and may God bless you richly !
It sounds like you have a fantastic plan for this year, Emily! Grace is such a beautiful word. I have it tattooed on my wrist as a reminder :). Stability is another great word to focus on. Praying for you to enjoy a wonderful year with the amazing grace and stability God offers. Thank you so much for sharing your plan here and many, many blessings to you as well!