Being Consistent

It isn’t hard to be good from time to time … What’s tough is being good every day.  Willie Mays

When we look back at the numerous New Year resolutions we have made and check out the success rate we might be rather embarrassed to note that we have barely managed to get just a few of our resolutions going and even amongst these few many may have died a natural death by the end of the first month. The problem is not with the ideal that we have set for ourselves nor is the problem with our personal abilities to see it through but the real issue is our inability to be consistent and focused over a long period of time. We succumb to the imaginary problems that come our way, find it tough to get our rhythm back once we lose it and simply give up because the goal seems far and the effort very daunting.

Let me share a personal experience to underscore the point that we will face obstacles but we need to find a way around it, through it, under it or over it. When I started this post I had the loft idea that I would write every day. The first month the effort was not too tough since I was extremely motivated and the feedback very alluring. Soon it came to a pass that I was not able to access the net one day and had to skip a post. That was very disheartening and the possibility of skipping that post very very tempting since in my mind I had a valid excuse. However the next day I decided to write two posts to catch up and be on track. This provided stimulus for some more time. The next time I was compelled to miss a post as I was out of town and did not have net access, the first incident gave me the impetus to do the catch up. The problem though is keeping my energy levels high and my approach disciplined despite the occasional hiccups. As on date I am well on track with this being the 116^th post since 1^st Jan 2010.

If that sounds like a good boast, let me tell you about my battle with the bulge. I have started walking for the n^th time and alas my resolve for anything strenuous is very weak. If the late nights watching the English Premier League Football are not adequate excuse, on the other days I can’t get out of bed simply because the IPL cricket matches have taken a toll. The net result is I have legitimate excuses to put my conscience at ease and insufficient resolve to keep up to my lofty intention of reducing my weight. The point I seek to emphasis is that we are selective in our options and choose whatever our preferences are and these are not necessarily based on rational or logic. While my writing seeks to give expression to my passion and hence closer to my heart; the later objective of losing weight is more to keep my spouse happy, to some extent to make me feel good but in the long term to reduce the friendly taunts of well meaning friends- not motivation enough?

Many of  will identify with this dilemma where we have Jekyll and Hyde like personalities. Knowing this we hate ourselves for the evil of succumbing to flimsy excuses, flimsier rationale and throw in the towel at the flimsiest of temptation. Yet the good in us is not lost, nor our ability to surmount the lethargy; all we need to do is regain our rhythm, refocus on our goals and find motivators stronger than our temptations. I am signing of this post because I need to get up and go jogging tomorrow- no excuses what so ever.

Remember: Part of courage is simple consistency.” Peggy Noonan

Try These:

1. Revisit your New Year Resolution list. If you cant find it prepare one and start implementing it.
2. I know of a couple who got married on a 22^nd of a certain month. Ever since, on every 22^nd they make it a point to go out for dinner together. Can you think of something similar to do and ensure you can consistently keep up to it?

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