By Toby Moore
For Capital Region Independent Media
Pursuing a dream can be very challenging. If you’re like most people, unless you have financial backing, you’re probably juggling a day job, a night job, taking care of a family, and then pursuing your dream.
Once you decide to pursue your dream, it’s often easy to get started because, at this early stage, you have all the motivation. You’re convinced of success and can see a future where your hard work pays off in a big way. You picture the people you’ll help, the industry you’ll revolutionize, and the competitors you’ll surpass. This vision fuels your enthusiasm and propels you forward with energy and optimism.
But once you’ve laid the foundations, you may see flaws. Things may go differently than planned. You’ll undoubtedly encounter many roadblocks. You might feel you’ve tried so hard for so long that you need a break.
Days turn to weeks and weeks into months, but suddenly, you remember your dream, get a burst of inspiration, and go at it again. You start getting some results, but there’s still a long way to go. You work your socks off for a while, doing those 16-hour days and making sacrifices, but then life gets in the way. Family obligations may arise, your day job demands more time, and you may put your dream on hold again, still unwilling to let it go.
Maybe you have a friend, acquaintance, or even family member who pursued their dream, and you’re in awe of how far they have gotten.
Out of frustration, you pick up the phone and give them a call, all while wondering how on earth they’ve managed to make it all work.
Luckily, they answered your call and gave you 30 minutes of their time. They ask you a series of questions, and you give them all the answers, detailing the ups and downs and the starts and stops.
Suddenly, you hear their “aha!” moment. They have an answer, and as you eagerly await, they say, “My friend, it seems you’ve got a consistency problem,” and it hits you like a bolt of lightning. Consistency!
The word reverberates as you think of all the times you started and stopped.
Your friend says that they, too, had the same problem, and one day decided to work on their dream every single day, even if it was just half an hour or one small task. They never took a break; they just kept churning.
It’s not about large bursts of effort but small, persistent, daily efforts. You set tiny goals that you know are achievable, and you keep doing them daily. You realize that consistency is one of the most potent ingredients for turning your dreams into reality.
As the days turn into weeks and the weeks into months, you start to see progress. Your business begins to grow steadily. The challenges stay, but your consistent efforts help you navigate them better. You find that consistency builds momentum, and momentum keeps you moving forward.
What are some things that will make you inconsistent? Drugs and alcohol are certainly significant factors. While some people claim substances like marijuana or alcohol make them more productive, over time, they often find the opposite to be true. When they quit, their productivity usually improves significantly.
Other things that can lead to inconsistency include procrastination, which creates a cycle of stress, rushed work and lack of sleep, which severely impacts focus and energy levels.
Poor time management without a clear plan or schedule can lead to distractions that can overwhelm you. A negative mindset, filled with self-doubt and pessimism, can sap motivation.
Unhealthy relationships can drain your energy and focus, pulling you away from productive habits. Constant distractions from social media, emails or a noisy environment can also break your flow and hinder consistent progress.
Ultimately, you learn that consistency is not just a habit; it’s a powerful force that transforms aspirations into achievements. It’s the difference between those who succeed and those who don’t.
Dedicate yourself to your dream every single day. Let consistency be the engine that propels you toward your goals and turns your aspirations into reality.
Toby Moore is a columnist, the star of Emmy-nominated “A Separate Peace,” and the CEO of Cubestream Inc.
