Consistency Isn’t What You Think It Is
"Consistency is contrary to nature, contrary to life. The only completely consistent people are dead." ~ Aldous Huxley
What if I told you that you've got consistency all wrong?
consistency
kənˈsɪst(ə)nsi
noun
1. behaviour or treatment happening in the same way and continuing for a period of time
2. the quality of achieving a level of performance which does not vary greatly in quality over time.
We're told, ad nauseam, that consistency is the key to success. That we must keep showing up in the same way continuously over time.
This approach to consistency neglects one crucial aspect of being human: we are cyclical creatures, not machines.
Nothing about us is linear or constant. We exist in a constant level of flux. We ebb and flow.
And anyone who tells you to "just be consistent" is overlooking the inherent power of living and working in greater alignment with the cycles and rhythms in and outside us.
In every moment, you are at the nexus of a bunch of different cycles. From the beating of your heart,to the daily fluctuation of hormones controlling your sleep-wake cycle or your menstrual cycle if you have one, every bodily system is dancing a complex rhythm of you. Outside you, the moon waxes and wanes as nature expands and contracts through the seasons.
But what does this mean for consistency?
It means that we need to align our habits and actions to the cycles we are in.
Living in London, for example, I always found it easier to get outside for an early morning run in the long days of the summer; trying the same activity at the same time (the definition of consistency) in the depths of the cold, dark winter was nearly impossible.
By paying attention to what is needed in each phase of a cycle, we can harness the powers of each phase more fully. When we honour where we are, instead of enforcing a single solution, we unlock our capacity for easeful creativity.
Purpose and Planning (Spring - Beginnings) – An emergent time of exploration that is great for getting creative and initiating new projects. Brainstorm, set goals and let your imagination fly. Let yourself emerge gently to protect the natural innocence and playfulness of this phase.
Connect and Create (Summer - Doing) – Full bloom, this is the time for being your most socially outgoing and getting things done. Dedicate your energy to the things that matter most to you - projects, people and play. Instead of forcing or pushing, allow the energy to move you to manifest your creations in the world.
Contain and Complete (Autumn - Endings) – A powerful transition phase where we seek completion. A time to take pleasure in finishing things off and start to slow down. This is the natural home of the inner critic and a time to discern what is, or is not working. Harvest your learning and let go of what you need to.
Reflect and Restore (Winter - Not Doing) – A time for rest perfect for reflection, learning and consolidating all we have achieved. Without this vital phase, we can take on too much, push too hard missing opportunities for our next phase of growth. Stillness allows us to reconnect with our vision and gives space for creative projects to marinate.
Put It Into Practice
Pick one activity or habit that you keep telling yourself you should be more consistent in. I'll use exercise as an example.
Choose which cycle you want to work with initially - I suggest something you move through relatively frequently so you go through the cycle of experimentation more quickly so your daily, weekly or monthly cycles are ideal. I'll use the menstrual cycle here.
Take a couple of minutes to get clear on why you're doing this activity. I exercise because I have a more positive relationship with my body when I move it more.
Brainstorm all the ways you could go about this activity at different points of the cycle you've chosen. Moving my body could look like different forms of yoga, running, walking, dancing, going to the gym, doing a HIIT workout at home...you get the idea. Another example could be what you do in your morning routine or how long your morning ritual takes you.
What are the 1% shifts you could make to honour the why of the activity and honour your cycle at the same time? I love to do high intensity exercise with other people in the Summer of my menstrual cycle; in the Winter, my body wants to move slowly and gently so I prefer to go for a walk or do a yin yoga practice.
Consistency that is sustainable and effective cannot ignore the natural ebbs and flows of our energy. By working with our cycles, rather than against them, we stop wasting time and effort trying to be something we're not and feel more fulfilled as a result.
You can also download a free guide to working with your cycles.