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Consistency is the key. Over and over we are told this. In parenting, in writing, in exercise, in jam-making, consistency is what we’re aiming for.
But consistency is not that easy.
When big blue eyes are looking up at you, begging and pleading with you to please, please, please, just this once forget the ‘Wii is for Weekends’ rule.
When the writing is hard and you know that you need to go on with it, but it takes so much EFFORT. And your mind is begging you to please, please, please, just this once forget the ‘write every day’ rule.
When you’re tired after attending a massive concert (thank you Bruce) on the weekend, and your body is pleading with you to please, please, please, just this once forget the ‘walk 10,000 steps a day’ rule.
When you’re making jam… actually, I don’t make jam, but you have to admit that consistency is a deal-breaker there.
When I was 17 and studying for my HSC, or not studying as was more the case, my parents begged and pleaded me to put a little consistent effort into my studies. In typical teenage style, I heard the ‘little effort’ and ignored the consistent.
But it turned out to be the most important bit. Effort is important, yes. Last-minute pushes can work wonders. But the drip, drip, drip of the little bit every day. Well, that can’t be beat.
Mr7 and I are currently working on a new rule in the house. It’s the ‘I will listen to Mummy’ rule. So far, our success has been hit and miss, but I’m working very hard at the consistent approach. So when he begs and pleads for me to let him have his screen privileges back, I gently and firmly say no. It’s hard. He’s only quiet when he’s playing Minecraft or Disney Infinity. So difficult sometimes not to give in, just for a moment’s peace. But I resist.
And I figure that if I can resist the big blue eyes, I can resist those voices whispering in my ear about the writing and the exercise.
Consistency. It’s my word of the week.
What’s your word of the week?
My word of the week is wrestle. Wrestling with the opening of my novel, wrestling within my mind – and play-wrestling with my kids!
Listen to Mummy rule? I love it! Implementing immediately. And my word is thank you. đ
Snagglefracked. As in, I haven’t been quite this snagglefracked in a long time, but I’m hanging in there.
I like that word. Feeling much the same way.
This is wonderful! I totally agree. I have two pairs of big blue eyes pleading with me. We have just started a reward chart on the listening thing. So I will commit to consistency. And it does work so well with the writing and exercise too. In fact, I believe it is good for everything!
My word of the week – patience. Kinda goes hand in hand with the consistency thing.
You are SO right!
I’m starting the 6-Month Novel Course at the Australia Writers Centre tonight with the wonderful Pamela Freeman, so my word for the week is “EXCITED!” đ
I hope your first night was awesome – Pamela is fantastic!