Consistency: The Silver Bullet For Success
WHY IS CONSISTENCY IMPORTANT?
I find it interesting that consistency is not always mentioned when conversations start about business. It is the common thread among businesses that succeed and have longevity but much more focus is placed on innovation, marketing and networking. Not that those things don't matter but without consistency -- they don't. There are some specific benefits associated with showing up consistently in business as an owner or in a career. A few of those benefits include:
Building Trust with Customers and Clients
Establishing Strong Brand Identity
Staying Focused and Motivated
Because customers and clients are the lifeblood of a business, building trust with them is always in the best interest of a business. When you show up consistently, you create an expectation in your customers and clients that you will be there for them. This may not make a huge difference when things are going well but when things go wrong, the trust you built will allow you some grace that would not otherwise exist.
Standing out from competition can be achieved with establishing a strong brand identity. Having a powerful story (see last week's blog) is one way to do so. This can also be achieved with compelling branding through a logo and tagline. The logo can be created using knowledge about colors, fonts, shapes and images and how they influence the market. The goal should be to get to as close as possible to making the branding easily recognizable and associated with the business.
Staying focused and motivated is more of a benefit to the business and those in it. Because the nature of business is not always steady and predictable, showing up consistently can be tough. Many times, when the business shows up, the customers and clients don't. Over time, consistency can be the one piece of accountability that helps to make commitments one to life when we can see the progress. Here are some tips on how to incorporate consistency into your business:
Set Clear Goals and Objectives
Make your goals SMART (specific, measurable, aligned, relevant, time-bound)
Or make them SMARTER (same as above + ecological and rewarding)
Create a Routine
Try completing some tasks at the same time or day of the week
Complete certain tasks together as bookends to your day
Prioritize Your Tasks
Select no more than three priorities at a time
Complete the items that make the most impact on your goals first
Hold Yourself Accountable
Be honest about where you are in your progress toward your goal
Share your goals with others that you trust and can share progress with
CONTINUOUSLY Improve
Celebrate your wins
Be open to make changes
These are just a few tips to get you started or give you ideas to research. If you like accountability parties, join our weekly broadcast of the First Fifteen, streamed live on YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook. I look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
-M