A LIFE HACK: Consistency Over Motivation

Life hacks usually play a significant role in the lives of those who have them, and it's always essential for individuals to figure out a hack that works for them, because having them can be a blessing in disguise that can help us in diverse ways. These hacks are developed in different ways, be it via a skill, life experience, or habit and the likes. Just like everyone else, I also have a hack that has shaped my life, and it's one that revolves around how I think and act on this. And today I'll be telling you all about it.

You see, in the past, the way I lived my life or acted on things easily was via motivations I got from others; it's literally impossible to get something done without being motivated to do so. This mindset was wired thanks to earlier life experiences. But as time goes on, I've come to realize that I often run out of steam while doing some of these things because motivational speech tends to fade away with time. And in the light of that, I began to see the need for a change and a restructuring of my thinking. Thankfully, I found one that has now become a life hack that has and is still transforming my life to date.

The life hack I'm talking about is coming to understand that consistency is more essential and effective than motivation. And since I've come to this realization, I've consciously applied it in my daily life, and the results have been fabulous. You see, in the past, on several occasions, what I do is to try and feel ready before taking action, and this has made it difficult for me to accomplish anything because I tend to wait for motivation to come because I can get into the right mood to do something. Although it helps me on some occasions, through the years I've come to the understanding that motivation is unreliable, and that's because it's not constant; it comes and goes, and in time, when no motivation is forthcoming, I end up not doing anything for a long period.

Unlike motivation, which is seasonal, consistency, on the other hand, is dependable and steady. Once the mindset is built and has been solidified, it becomes a practice that's impossible to break. Since I shifted my focus from motivation to consistency, my life has experienced a positive turnaround. This is a practice that has improved how I approach responsibilities and goals. Unlike in the past when I waited till I felt like doing something before I did it, now I show up regardless of if I'm feeling like it or not. Even though it's not always smooth, still I find a way to push myself to do it, no matter how small it is.

The benefit is that over time this small input here and there that comes from me consistently showing up and doing this has added up to become sometimes meaningful. The difference this brings is that I no longer get progress based on the boost I get from motivation but from daily commitment. I understand it's not easy to be consistent, but what I can tell you for a fact is that it's worth it, because it helps me build resilience, teaches me patience, and overall helps me build strength that brings out results that motivation alone can't sustain.

Consistency has helped me a lot; it has helped me achieve many things and helped me show up even when I'm not motivated to do so. It has greatly helped me overcome the grip procrastination has on me, enhance my productivity, and make me more disciplined. Overall, and most importantly, it has helped me build confidence in myself, knowing that I've the capability to achieve things via my actions and not have to wait till I feel motivated to do it.

All photos are mine.