The Power of Consistency

Consistency is a word that gets thrown around a lot in discussions about success, self improvement and personal growth. We hear it often, especially in motivational speeches or business seminars but what does it really mean in practical terms? How do we incorporate consistency into our lives in a way that actually drives results?

For many, consistency can feel elusive something that’s easier said than done. After all, life throws curveballs. We face distractions, doubts and days when motivation is nowhere to be found but what if I told you that consistency isn’t about pushing yourself to do everything perfectly all the time? What if it’s about small, consistent actions that accumulate over time? That’s what I want to share with you today the power of consistency and why it’s the secret sauce behind long term success.

To illustrate this, let me tell you my own story one that’s been shaped by the idea that small, consistent efforts eventually lead to big results.

The Beginning: Small Steps Toward a Big Dream

In 2011, I embarked on a journey to become an electrician. At that time, I had very little in terms of tools, resources or experience. All I had was a small toolkit I brought with me to college and a burning desire to succeed but here’s the thing: I didn’t expect success to happen overnight. In fact, I knew that the road to becoming a skilled electrician would take time, effort and most importantly, consistency.

When I first started my journey, my tools were basic. The toolkit I had was enough to get me through the fundamentals of my coursework but it was far from comprehensive. As I sat in class, I dreamed of having the equipment that would allow me to work efficiently and tackle more complex jobs. However I didn’t let my limited resources hold me back. I showed up every day, I did my best to learn and I practiced my craft.

Consistency didn’t mean I had to own all the fancy tools or have everything figured out from the get go. It meant showing up day in and day out doing the work, staying committed to learning and never getting discouraged by how far I had to go.

The Next Step: Growth, Learning and New Tools

By 2014, things were starting to change. I had progressed in my training, gained more experience and had begun to build a more comprehensive toolkit. I added my first drill to the collection, bought a durable tool bag to carry everything and invested in a few specialty tools that would help me tackle new challenges. The difference now was that my toolkit wasn’t confined to just a few small items it was expanding, much like my understanding of the trade itself.

However, even with the upgraded tools, my progress was still relatively slow. My toolkit was still small by industry standards and the projects I took on were modest but as I continued to work with these new tools, I realised something important: small, consistent improvements were adding up. Every new tool, every skill I learned, no matter how minor it seemed at the time, was taking me one step closer to becoming the electrician I had always wanted to be.

The process felt slow but the consistency with which I added new skills and tools over time meant that I was growing, even if I couldn’t always see it day to day. This is a critical point in understanding the power of consistency: you don’t always see immediate results but that doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.

The Turning Point: More Tools, More Experience

By 2020, nine years had passed since I first started my career. During those years, I had made steady progress. I had continued to invest in new tools and equipment and my skills had sharpened significantly. My collection had grown so much that it no longer fit neatly in a single bag or on a small shelf it was spilling into half of my living room! Now, I had power drills, wall chasers, saws and even a couple of vacuums (yes, multiple vacuums if you work in the trades, you know how handy they are!).

I had invested in tools that not only made my work easier but also allowed me to work faster and more efficiently. My ability to tackle larger projects with greater ease was a direct result of my consistency but here’s the kicker: my growth didn’t stop there.

As my toolkit expanded, I was learning more sophisticated techniques and methods. The consistency of showing up each day to work and continuing to learn was paying off. I wasn’t just getting better at using tools I was getting better at the entire process of being an electrician. I was learning how to approach jobs more strategically, how to prioritise efficiency and how to provide higher quality results for my clients. Each new tool I acquired wasn’t just a physical object it was a reflection of the lessons I had learned over time.

The Present

By 2024, my toolkit had grown to the point where I could fill 12 different toolboxes and bags. I had everything I needed to tackle almost any project that came my way, from basic installations to more complicated renovations. From screwdrivers to drills, from wire cutters to multiple vacuums (yes, I love my hoovers!), my collection was a testament to years of consistent effort.

And yet, despite all the tools, the work wasn’t done. The journey didn’t end with reaching a certain point of equipment. In fact, I realised something important along the way: consistency doesn’t have a final destination. You see, I didn’t just stop learning once I acquired my tools. If anything, the more I learned, the more I realised how much there was still to explore and improve.

This is a critical point in the power of consistency: it’s not about arriving at an end goal, it’s about continuing to grow. The true reward lies in the continuous process of learning, improving and adapting to new challenges. Consistency is about showing up every day with a commitment to getting better, regardless of how much progress you’ve already made.

The Real Lesson: Consistency Has No End Point

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned over the years, it’s that consistency is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Success doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t happen all at once. Sure, you can have bursts of growth or sudden breakthroughs but true success is about the long term effort. It’s about staying committed to the process, even when things aren’t moving as fast as you’d like.

When we think about consistency, it’s easy to get hung up on a specific time frame. We often think, “If I don’t see results in three months, I’ve failed,” or “I should be further along by now.” But the truth is that there is no universal timeline for success. Whether it takes you three months, three years, or even thirty years, the key is to stay consistent and trust the process.

What I’ve learned in my own journey is that the path to success isn’t linear. Some days will feel like you’re moving backwards. Other days, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world. But as long as you keep going, the slow and steady progress adds up.

Embrace the Process

If you’re reading this and feeling like you’re not moving fast enough toward your goals, don’t worry. Progress doesn’t happen on your schedule it happens when you show up consistently. Whether you’re working toward a personal goal, building a career or learning a new skill, embrace the process. Embrace the slow, steady and consistent effort that will eventually pay off.

The beauty of consistency is that it compounds. The small steps you take every day build on one another and over time, the results become undeniable. If you’re trying to build a business, for example, the first few months might feel like a struggle. But as you keep learning, making small improvements and putting in the work, you’ll eventually see the fruits of your labor.

The key is to trust the process. Trust that if you keep showing up, keep doing the work and keep learning, you will eventually reach your goals. Whether those goals take months, years or decades to achieve doesn’t matter. What matters is that you keep moving forward.

The Takeaway: Consistency Is the Key to Growth

So here’s the final takeaway: consistency is not just about doing something every day it’s about the cumulative effect of your efforts. Whether you’re learning a new skill, building a business or pursuing a dream, the power of consistency lies in its ability to turn small, incremental actions into significant results over time.

Your pace doesn’t have to be fast. Your results don’t have to be immediate. The important thing is to stay curious, stay committed and keep going. Success isn’t a destination it’s a journey that’s made up of consistent effort, continuous learning and a willingness to improve.

So, if you’re worried that you’re not moving fast enough, just remember: take it one step at a time. Keep doing the work, keep learning and trust the process. Whether it takes three months, three years or thirty years, consistency will always take you further than you think.

And just a quick note before I wrap up: my tools have since been sold (don’t worry, I won’t be the victim of a robbery). However, if you ever need advice on building your toolkit figuratively or literally I’m always here to help.

Embrace consistency, stay curious and keep moving forward. Success will follow.