Stay Consistent: Keep Creating, Keep Learning, Keep Improving!
Hey everyone! So, you wanna know the secret sauce to actually achieving something? It's not some magic pill, trust me, I've tried looking. It's not even some crazy, overnight success story. Nope. The real deal? Consistency. Plain and simple. But oh boy, is it hard.
My Epic Fail (and How I Learned From It)
I'll tell you a story. A few years ago, I got super into watercolor painting. I bought all the fancy brushes, the expensive paints, the whole shebang. I even took an online course! I was amazing... for about two weeks. Then, life happened. Work got crazy, friends needed me, and my beautiful, brand-new watercolors ended up gathering dust. Total fail, right? My creative juices dried up faster than my paints.
What's the takeaway? Consistency isn't about perfection, it's about showing up. Even if it's just for 15 minutes a day. Even if you only manage a few sloppy brushstrokes. The key is to keep at it. I'm telling you, even a small amount of time spent on my creative pursuits is miles better than nothing.
I eventually picked up the brushes again — a year later. I didn’t pick up where I’d left off, but I started again, even better than before. This time, I committed to painting just one small watercolor painting every other day. That was my goal, it was a small goal. It was achievable. And guess what? My skills improved. Slowly, steadily, and consistently. It's amazing what you can achieve when you just put in the time.
Building a Consistent Creative Habit: Tips & Tricks
So, how do you actually do it? How do you build this mythical "consistency"? Here are a few things that actually worked for me:
1. Set Realistic Goals:
Don't try to become a productivity ninja overnight. Start small! If you want to write every day, aim for 250 words. If you want to learn a new language, commit to 15 minutes of study per day. Small, achievable goals are way more sustainable.
2. Schedule It In:
Seriously, treat your creative time like an important meeting. Block it off in your calendar. This helps with time management and prioritization.
3. Find Your Tribe:
Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage your creative pursuits. Having a group of people to motivate you and check in on your progress is super helpful. Accountability is key.
4. Embrace Imperfection:
This is HUGE. Don't get bogged down trying to make everything perfect. Remember my watercolor disaster? The point is to keep creating, not to create masterpieces. It's about the progress, not the perfection.
5. Celebrate Small Wins:
Acknowledge and reward yourself for your progress. It could be anything—a cup of coffee, a walk in the park, whatever motivates you! Positive reinforcement will keep you motivated and consistent.
The Long Game: Consistency Pays Off
Let's be honest. There will be days when you don't feel like it. There will be days when you want to give up. That's totally normal. But remember why you started. Remember that feeling of accomplishment when you finally finish a project, no matter how small.
Consistency isn't a sprint; it's a marathon. It's about building momentum, steadily improving, and showing up for yourself, day after day. It takes time, patience, and a whole lot of perseverance—and it’s 100% worth it. Trust me on this one. My improved watercolor skills are proof. So, keep creating, keep learning, keep improving. You got this!