Consistency Wins: Small Steps For Big Changes
If you want to excel as a friend, a student, or an athlete, there’s one skill you absolutely need: consistency. It’s not flashy, and it might not feel exciting, but it’s the secret ingredient that leads to success in every area of life.
Think about a stream. Over time, simple water wears down solid rock, smoothing and reshaping it. There’s no big dramatic moment—just steady, consistent flow, day after day. That’s the power of consistency in action.
The Principle: A Little A LOT vs. A LOT a Little
Here’s the idea: don’t try to do “A LOT a little.” Instead, focus on doing “A little A LOT.” This subtle shift in approach makes all the difference.
When you cram all your effort into a short period and then stop, it’s like sprinting only to crash at the finish line. But when you consistently show up and put in small, regular efforts, you build momentum and see steady progress.
Consistency in School
Let’s use studying as an example. If you wait until the night before a big test to study everything at once, that’s the “A LOT a little” method. You might get through the material, but chances are you’ll feel overwhelmed and retain less information.
Now imagine breaking your study sessions into 20-minute chunks over four days. By the time test day comes, you’ll not only be more confident, but you’ll also have a much better grasp of the material. This is “A little A LOT” in action, and it works.
Consistency in Sports
The same principle applies in sports. Say you want to improve your soccer juggling skills, or your tennis serve. Practicing for eight hours in one day might seem productive, but it’s exhausting, and you’ll likely hit a wall before making real progress.
Now compare that to practicing 20 minutes a day for a week. By spreading out the effort, you’ll stay fresh, build muscle memory, and see consistent improvement without burning out.
The Marathon Mindset
Whether it’s sports, school, or any area of life, success is rarely about one-time efforts. It’s about embracing the process and showing up consistently. Great players and great people understand this—they focus on what they can do every day, not just the end goal.
Here’s the big question: how consistent are you?
Are you dependable with your friends, or does your support waver?
Do you approach homework and studying steadily, or do you procrastinate and then rush at the last minute?
In sports, are you giving your best effort consistently, or does it come and go?
Your Challenge
Start small. For just one day, commit to doing a little work in an area that matters to you—whether it’s studying, practicing your sport, or building a positive habit. Focus only on today. Then, tomorrow, do it again.
By the end of the week, you’ll have built a streak of consistent effort. That’s when you’ll see how much progress you can make by showing up every day, even in small ways.
The Takeaway
Consistency is about more than reaching your goals—it’s about building the habits and discipline that lead to success over time. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
So remember: Consistency Wins. Show up, do the work, and watch small steps make big changes when you stick with it.