Consistency is the key to growth and change.
Typically when I hear people talk about the changes needed in their reality I hear about the big moves and the quest for rapid answers. However, when quick solutions show up there must be a commitment to the disciplines required to sustain the improving direction or any gains will not be sustained and may be incrementally lost.
“I lost 30 pounds in 90 days!” Sounds like a success story, but without the commitment to consistency in changes to diet and exercise the story turns into “I’ve lost the same 30 pounds at least five times in my life” or “I’ve gained back all the weight I lost and then some.”
Consistency is critical to sustain healthy growth and change in life.
In an organization, two or three decisions that are executed with consistency can begin to really change the trajectory and capacity of the organization and its effectiveness in the world. Consider this example:
We are going to pay our bills when they are due. This organization had been strapped with bad cash flow for a variety of reasons. One of their bad habits was that when cash got tight they stretched out timelines for paying their bills. In essence, they were using their suppliers and vendors as a line of credit by not paying bills when they were due. As a result, suppliers and vendors were getting weary of doing business with this well-liked organization.
The commitment was made to pay all bills when they were due. The organization rethought cash flow, suppliers and vendors were paid promptly. As a result, people now seek out doing business with this organization.
Here is the point. The organization made a commitment to consistent pursuit and execution of the decision to pay its bills on time. This has resulted in better relationships, better cash flow and stronger mission fulfillment.
Consistency of execution is the key.
Consider one decision that you or your organization could pursue with consistency that, if persisted in, would bring about lasting change for the better. Be patient, be realistic, and above all, BE CONSISTENT.