How long does it take to build a cathedral? How quickly could it be broken down and destroyed? Like trust, it takes years to build and seconds to break.
Consistency is the most underrated, invaluable intangible an individual could possess.
Dr. Rob Gilbert, a mentor in the field of sport psychology, has produced a motivational message every day for over 33 years. As I write this, he published his 12,215th message on “Success Hotline” (973-743-4690) today. How does he do it? Dr. Gilbert understands and embodies a simple truth: it’s easier to do something every day rather than every once in a while. Consistency acts as a bridge from WHAT IS to WHAT COULD BE.
Our daily patterns make or break our destiny. As the well-known quote states:
I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden … I am the servant of great people, and alas, of all failures as well … Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you.
– The Habit Poem
The best predictor of an individual’s future behavior is their past behavior.
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Questions: Is change possible? Why should we strive to evolve and grow through better routines? Who can help us? How do we start?
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Answers: Yes. To discover who we could be; to inspire and serve others; to reduce suffering and create more meaning by taking on responsibility. Mentors and role models. By setting personal commitments and standards.
When someone asks me how I was able to go from one of millions at the little league sports level to one of hundreds at the professional level, my answer is always: I had people who believed in me. I had coaches who pushed me. I have parents, teachers, mentors, and role models who advised and showed me how to train, practice, and live each day.
Since graduating from Yale, I reached out to and showed up at the doors of consistent, reliable, and intelligent advisors. The more I sought, the luckier I got.
Another mentor of mine, Dr. Cristina Versari, is the former Sport Psychologist for the NBA.
Several years ago, I flew to San Diego, California, and waited outside for four hours to have a five-minute conversation with her. Short and sweet, I said, “I heard you’re the best, and that’s what I’d like to be.” Dr. Versari has worked over 80 hours per week for the last 40+ years. What she’s earned far outweighs anything she was ever given. I saw some of myself in who she was, and perhaps she sees some of herself in me — ultimately, that’s the crux of a mentor-mentee relationship.
“If you look around and see four pigeons, that doesn’t make you the one eagle. That makes you the fifth pigeon.”
– Michael Spence, motivational speaker
Consistency is a byproduct of an environment of excellence, with energy within us and eagles around us. Our WHYs and WHOs determine our HOWs and WHATs in life.
Final story.
In 1386, three bricklayers were working on a building. One of them said, “It’s hot, and we still have much more to do. When can we stop and go home?” The second bricklayer replied, “Let’s get this section done quickly so we can leave after lunch.” Then the third bricklayer interjected, “Shhhh. We have to lay each brick just right. One day this will be a cathedral.” 600 years later, the Duomo di Milan in Italy was completed.
The first bricklayer complains; the second complies; the third commits.
How committed are we?
Success is a few simple disciplines practiced every day. Failure is a few errors in judgment repeated every day.
– Jim Rohn, multi-millionaire author, entrepreneur, and speaker
It only takes one key to unlock the castle. That key is consistency.