Be Violently Consistent

The only thing that will work for everybody is consistency.

It might work for ill, or it might work for gain, but it will work.

Whatever we consistently think about and do will deliver our results. Even if we have genetic issues or some other handicap (used in the general sense), if we consistently do the right and healthy things, we’ll end up as the healthiest version of ourselves.

If we consistently give in to lazy, sloppy, and otherwise unhealthy habits, then we’ll end up with something other than the healthiest version of ourselves.

The most compelling part of the Power of Consistency (the book by Weldon Long I’ve been reading this week) is the final chapter.

Long tells the story of when he was released from prison and has to find a job. He endured rejection for months until someone finally gave him a chance. And he made the most of his chance.

Obviously, making the most of the chance was an exclamation point in the story, but I was struck with his persistence in finding a job in the first place. His prison record as a convicted felon kept slamming the door on his prospects even when a hiring manager liked him.

But he kept getting after it, day after day after day.

I know salesguys (not myself, obviously) who make 10 cold calls, get nowhere, and declare cold calling to be dead.

Long, on the other hand, endured rejection after rejection and didn’t lose hope. He kept getting after it. He was violently consistent in keeping with his goal to make a life for himself.

Be Consistent… At What?

My only struggle with this idea of consistency is knowing what to be consistent at. I’ll panic wondering if I chose the correct action to be consistent on. In truth, writing this blog everyday for 6 months is a commitment I question at moments. Especially here at 8:21 at night, knowing I have a 4:30 wake-up call.

That said, I know writing daily about success, sales, motivation, and marketing will not hurt me. I’m sure of that. And most actions can be tested for 3-4 months and will create more results than taking no action. It’s okay to be a little off on the exact action item, pivot, and keep on going.

The key, though, is violent consistency. Give the dang action a chance to work.

My Action Item Today: Write down 3 daily consistency actions to take in my two roles at work. 

Since it’s Sunday, I spent time with the family. But I did read for 30 minutes and sit down with Evernote to map out the daily actions I’ll take at work in my two main roles. I sell and I help other insurance agents develop their proposals. Both of those require some daily tending for long-term success.

I selected three things for each role. We’ll go full-bore on those for the rest of this year and do some evaluation at that time.

I also typed up some of my Prosperity Plan. It’s awfully similar to some ‘life plan’ type work I’ve done before, but it’s much, much more concise. According to Mr. Weldon Long, I must meditate on this daily, so I prefer brevity.

My Reading: I Finished The Power of Consistency: Prosperity Mindset Training for Sales and Business Professionals by Weldon Long

Long’s book is a strange one. Don’t read it unless you plan on taking action. It’s not a theoretical book at all. The ideas and concepts can be summed up relatively easily. His repetitive style lends itself, though, to beating you into submission regarding taking action on his simple plan. If you are trying to develop an action bias in your life, then I recommend reading it. And I’d also recommend reading The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, editor of Success magazine.

Both books cover similar territory and would complement each other nicely.

Until tomorrow….

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This blog is a response to Dan Miller’s unintentional challenge from his podcast on August 15, 2014: If you read or listen to 30 minutes of quality content a day, you’ll double your income. 

From September 1, 2014 through March 1, 2015, I will be doing the following:

1. Listening or reading to 30 minutes of success, growth, business, spiritual, or other mindset-shifting, skill-sharpening content.
2. Selecting one action item from that content (with some leeway to select an action from a previous day’s content).
3. Doing that one action.
4. Writing about the action or some other idea from the reading and listening of the day.