The Power of Consistency
Maximum Life: Unlocking Your Full Potential in 2025
Excerpted from Maximum Life: Unlocking Your Full Potential Through Inner Growth, Momentum, and Impact by Iann Schonken at Amazon.com.
What’s the real secret to long-term success? It’s not talent. It’s not luck. It's not merely a matter of passion. It's about consistency in the right direction.
Consistency is the quiet force behind every outstanding achievement. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t always feel exciting—but it works. It’s those small, daily choices that add up. These are the decisions that remain hidden from view. The habits you cultivate are what matters most. The discipline you practice is crucial. That’s where the magic happens.
In this session, we’re exploring how consistent action builds momentum, fosters trust, and unlocks potential in every area of your life—one small step at a time.
The Heartbeat of Progress
At its core, consistency is about showing up. It involves consistently showing up, not just once or occasionally, but consistently. It means aligning your actions with your values and your habits with your goals.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about persistence.
Jim Rohn once said, “Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.” ¹
That truth rings loud. The fundamentals—simple actions done well and done regularly—are what shape lives and legacies.
Could you please explain why consistency is so important? For starters, it builds credibility. When you consistently keep your word, follow through on commitments, and show up reliably, people learn they can trust you. That trust becomes the foundation of influence—both personally and professionally.
It also creates powerful momentum. You don’t have to make massive leaps every day. Instead, you should take steady steps in the right direction. One brick at a time builds the house. One drop at a time fills the bucket.
And perhaps most importantly, consistency fosters discipline. When you make intentional choices each day, even when you don’t feel like it, you train yourself to lead your life—not be led by emotion or circumstance.
But the opposite is also true. Inconsistency can erode trust, kill motivation, and sabotage progress. You might start strong—but without follow-through, the results will fizzle. As Tony Robbins reminds us, “It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.” ²
Turning Daily Actions Into Long-Term Success
How can we incorporate consistency into our lives in a manner that truly endures?
Start by gaining clarity. When your goals are clear, your steps become obvious. Define what matters most to you—then break it down into bite-sized, doable actions. A goal without a plan is just a wish. However, what if a goal is accompanied by a daily routine? That’s power in motion.
Next, anchor those actions in routine. Consistency becomes easier when your habits are built into your day. Set aside specific time for your most important work, whether it’s fitness, prayer, learning, or creating. When something becomes part of your rhythm, you don’t have to think—you just do.
Tracking your progress helps too. Whether it’s a journal, calendar, or app, seeing your daily effort builds motivation. Even on days when progress feels slow, the record of consistency becomes proof that you’re moving forward. It’s not about perfection—it’s about showing up.
Of course, life isn’t predictable. Flexibility is key. Routines provide structure, but they shouldn’t become cages. When disruptions come—and they will—adapt. Adjust your rhythm without abandoning your mission.
And don’t try to do it alone. Surround yourself with people who encourage your journey. Share your goals with someone who will support you and provide constructive feedback when needed. Two of consistency's greatest allies are encouragement and accountability.
One more thing: celebrate the small wins. Every time you follow through on your habit or hit a milestone, acknowledge it. That little shot of joy reminds your brain that showing up is worth it. Progress, no matter how slow, is still progress.
Real Life, Real Consistency
Consistency isn’t just a theory—it’s a daily decision, applied across every part of your life.
In your health, it looks like choosing water over soda, going for a walk even when it’s cold, and getting adequate sleep. Small acts done regularly make a massive difference in your energy and well-being over time.
In your career, it means showing up early, asking good questions, learning something new each week, and stretching yourself when it’s uncomfortable. Career breakthroughs usually come after seasons of consistent, behind-the-scenes work.
In your relationships, consistency builds trust. Making time to connect, sending a quick “thinking of you” text, saying “thank you,” and showing up when it counts—these small, repeated acts become the glue that holds relationships together.
Financially, consistency is about living below your means, saving regularly, reviewing your budget, and sticking to wise principles. Over time, those habits grow into stability—and even abundance.
And personally? It’s those daily practices that make you more grounded and self-aware. Reading. Reflecting. Journaling. Praying. These things don’t make headlines, but they build depth and resilience.
The Habit Factor
Consistency and habit are dance partners. What you do repeatedly, you become.
Will Durant said it beautifully: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” ³
Building a habit doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small. If your goal is to read daily, begin with five minutes. If you want to exercise regularly, start with a ten-minute walk. Let the habit grow naturally.
Be patient. Habits don’t solidify overnight. There will be days you miss—but don’t miss twice. Stay focused on the long game.
Give yourself rewards—simple ones that reinforce your progress. Consider marking your progress with a checkmark on your calendar. Take a moment to reflect on your progress. Enjoy a cup of your favorite tea. Positive reinforcement fuels momentum.
Stay accountable. Whether it’s a partner, a mentor, or a group, having someone who walks with you strengthens your resolve.
And don’t forget to evaluate. Check in with yourself. Is the strategy working? Is it moving me toward what matters? If not, tweak the process—but never give up on consistency itself.
A Biblical Reminder
There’s wisdom in Scripture about this steady approach to life.
Proverbs 13:4 reminds us:
“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” (NIV)
You will receive rewards for your persistent diligence and faithfulness. These rewards may not come immediately, but they will eventually come. God honors the hands that commit to steady work. The mind that resists distraction is highly valued. The heart remains unwavering.
The Invitation
So here’s your invitation: Don’t chase perfection. Chase consistency.
Let the daily rhythm of small actions become the foundation of your biggest victories. Let consistency shape your character, sharpen your focus, and lead you quietly toward everything God has called you to be.
At the end of the day, it's not the giant leaps that change your life—it's the faithful steps you take repeatedly.
¹ Jim Rohn, “Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.” Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/jim_rohn_122132
² Tony Robbins, “It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.” Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/tony_robbins_147771
³ Will Durant, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Accessed July 10, 2024. https://blogs.umb.edu/quoteunquote/2012/05/08/its-a-much-more-effective-quotation-to-attribute-it-to-aristotle-rather-than-to-will-durant/