Hey <<First Name>>, how do rate, on a scale of 1-10, when it comes to being consistent?

We have obstacles being thrown at us ALL THE TIME.

Family, business, pandemics.

It's not easy but the one thing every successful person has in common is... Consistency.

To help you survive your brain has to find ways to reduce uncertainty.
Your brain finds comfort in consistency but in a strange twist of neurologic wiring, your brain also loves things that are new and easy.

5 Reasons You Struggle to Stay Consistent - and how to overcome them

1. Your Goals are Vague
When you’re too vague about a goal you leave your brain with too many decisions to make.

By the time your brain has figured out the answers to those questions, it’s already depleted, and suddenly, lounging on the couch with a bag of potato chips watching Netflix reruns is a much more appealing endeavor than working on your socials.

Solution: Create Implementation Intentions
A better way to approach a goal is to write an implementation intention, which specifies a day, time, and place to perform your desired behavior. In a simple statement, tell your brain when, where, and what to do—eliminating any unnecessary decision-making.

2. You've got Obstacles in your way
Remember, your brain wants to help you survive, which means it wants to conserve energy. So if your new habit requires extra energy, you’re less likely to stick to it.

Solution: Eliminate Friction Wherever Possible
Prime your environment: Place cues in obvious places to trigger your desired behavior.
Reduce the amount of energy it takes to get started by automating everything you can.

3. Your Focus is on the Outcome
Outcomes are important; they help you know when you’ve reached your goal. But focusing solely on outcomes blocks your brain from getting the immediate rewards it craves.

Solution: Reframe Your Outcome Goal As A Learning Goal
Outcome goals focus on the end result, while learning goals focus on the mastery you can gain along the way. They can help you ensure that, even if you don’t reach the outcome, you enjoy the journey.

This gives your brain the dopamine rush of small wins, and help you focus on the things you can control.

4. You're Relying on Willpower
Resisting temptation is commendable, but few of us can hold out against a constant barrage of distractions 100% of the time.

Solution: Make a Pact
Instead of relying on willpower, restructure your life in a way that does not require heroic willpower and self-control,” ie spend less time in tempting situations. Or consider having an business buddy to be accountable to. (ask me about this option)

5. You're valuing the Emotions
When you’re being consistent, feeling bored is inevitable. You have a brain wired for novelty. Doing the same thing over and over again—though crucial to success—is contrary to your brain’s reward-seeking tendencies.

Feelings like boredom, frustration, even despair, do not necessarily mean something is wrong with your goal. They don’t mean you don’t have what it takes. They just indicate that you might need a break, or it may be time to give your brain the dopamine hit it craves.

Solution: Spice Up Your Routine With Variety
Thankfully, consistency and variety can coexist and stave off feelings of boredom.

Here are some examples for infusing a routine task with exciting variety:
Write five pages of your novel every morning, but switch the location of where you do your writing.
Work out in your living room every evening, but change up the exercise routines you do.
Read for 20 minutes before bed, but alternate the genres of the books you read.
Journal every morning for 15 minutes, but use an online prompt generator to surprise you with what you should write about.

There are plenty of ways to keep it interesting while maintaining consistency.

<<First Name>> what steps can you implement to maintain some consistency in your business?

Til next time

Sharon
        xo

PS. Did you know I offer 1:1 sessions? These are great to get a fresh perspective on your business with ideas and recommendations suited specifically for you. Just reply to this email for more info.