Why we should be "consistently persistent"
A term coiled during a mentoring meeting after we were discussing the "Be Consistent” theory and how it's impossible to be consistently consistent. Being 'persistent' (or Consistently Persistent - his words not mine) is more the focus when we work towards goals and build the future we want...
We’re always told to ‘be consistent’, not so easy when you struggle with it or thoughts, feelings and experiences don't allow it.
WHEN IT'S HARD TO BE 'CONSISTENT'
We’re creative, and human, so we can’t possibly ‘Be Consistent’ all the time - life is never consistent, it changes, we go through things, inside and outside, plus, working hard every minute of every day is draining and sometimes your body just screams STOP, then we feel crap because we’re not (yet) where we want to be, and sometimes it feels like it will never happen.
So how do we overcome that frustration of wanting and being capable of succeeding when there always seeming to be some kind of barrier in the way, sometimes even yourself?
Take being neurodivergent as an example, (having ADHD myself) sticking to schedules, using planners or Google calendar and having the perfect weekly plan to get those goals is not always an easy solution - sure it helps and we should have it - but when you want and know you need to do something, but your brain says no (see executive disfunction below!) they just can’t help... so what then?
UNDERSTANDING EXECUTIVE DYSFUNCTION
Executive dysfunction is a term used to describe challenges in or a lack of cognitive process that helps an individual organise thoughts and activities, prioritises tasks, manage time efficiently and even makes decisions - and we can learn from this.
This is the opposite of this is Executive function (EF).
Executive functions are skills are people use to establish structure and strategies for managing projects and determine the actions required to move each project forward. People with Execute dysfunction often struggle to organise materials, regulate emotions, set schedules and stick with tasks. They misplace papers, letters and other important materials. They might have similar problems keeping track of their personal items or keeping their house or office organised.
Executive Dysfunction Symptoms | Executive functions allow people to |
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Attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) and executive functions are tightly linked, but far from synonymous. We all have executive functioning strengths and challenges that affect the attention, learning, work, and relationships.” Read more about EF on ADDITUDEMAG
Dealing with this can prove pretty challenging when self-employed, managing a career, a busy personal life, preparing for the future, or working towards goals: The main challenges being the person experiencing this wants to do all of the above successfully and to their best ability using their creative skills, but their brain limits their capacity to do so.
Sometimes something inhibits their ability to "JUST DO IT"
A person experiencing the executive dysfunction can feel either a lack of motivation or sometimes have the motivation and drive but sometimes something inhibits their ability to "JUST DO IT" - to the point they are sometimes almost physically paralysed, with only their negative thoughts telling them they ‘Should’ do this or ‘Should’ be doing that and beating themselves up about not doing it.
If it feels good - we're more likely to do it.
GOALS > TASKS > SCHEDULE + DOPAMINE!
A useful tool I share with my mentees is a ‘Scheduling’ doc - that is focused on goals and breaks them down into smaller goals and tasks, and even a weekly schedule. OH NO NOT ANOTHER SCHEDULE”.. I hear ya! This one is more focused on feeling and visioning, which helps us focus on the ‘why’ we are doing what we do, which gives us a little hit of dopamine (great for tackling executive dysfunction!) whilst we think about said goals.
I personally use this and when I’m feeling unmotivated or that frustration kicks in I check in and remind myself what and why, and it helps get be back on track!
Remind yourself WHY you're doing it - and remind yourself of the vision, write and see it as though you already have it: see it, feel it, get your dopamine hit.
See it, feel it, get your dopamine hit.
ENJOY THE JOURNEY
Yes focus on those goals - but for your happiness' sake enjoy the journey!
Speaking from experience, by the time you’ve hit one goal, your chasing the next and it’s easily to feel deflated as you see others hit goals you can only dream of - but you’ve levelled up and you’re ready for the next one.
Enjoy those late nights in the studio perfecting your craft.
Enjoy those late nights in the studio perfecting your craft, overcoming anxiety to network with your favourite artists or people you've always wanted to meet, struggling to balance a full time job with all the new music work you have and feeling drained from pitching for gigging: once upon a time you didn’t know how to use a DAW, DJ or would have dreamed to be dealing with what you have now - you’re chasing the next goal, it’s a good thing, it’s exciting (anxiety / nerves are a very similar feeling to excitement and adrenaline!)
Getting frustrated ‘cause that invoice hasn’t been paid means you’re finally invoicing for that set or work you always dreamed of doing - be grateful for your life now, celebrate yourself for creating this life and enjoy the journey to the next goal - the ups and the downs - the journey is what you will remember.
CONSISTENTLY PERSISTENT
Next time you read and get told that being ‘Consistent’ is the only way to succeed - which is endlessly frustrating when that’s the one thing you want to be but for reasons above (and life reasons - love, loss, distraction, diversion) that sometimes feels impossible!
Remember this:
The key is to be “Consistently Persistent “- just don’t give up.
The legends in the music industry and many creative people are neurodiverse (here is an interesting article that explores why this is) They manage ADHD which is closely linked to Executive Dysfunction, and it’s likely they regularly experience it, still.
So, how did they become legends? How did they become successful?
They just kept going to the point they gained legendary status.
You hear and read stories all the time from celebrities or others in the creative industries, of everything they’ve overcome, they may have had periods of time (long or short) where they had to take their foot off the gas and stop their ‘consistent’ work ethic - but - when they were ready - they got up dusted themselves off and got back behind the wheel, on the bike, on the grind - however you want to put it.
They were “consistently persistent”.
INDUSTRY EXAMPLES
Here are some quotes and mini backstories from some lovely people in DnB, some you may not know the back story to, some who seem to have ‘BLOWN UP’ and some that have developed legendary status - but all that were consistently persistent too:
AMA - “Some people may know her as an artist that has blown up over the past year, but really, Ama has been perfecting her craft as a D&B DJ for a solid eight years” - Kool London.
ANDY C - “At the age of 15, together with Ant, Andy created magnum opus, 'Valley of the Shadows (31 Seconds)' under their Origin Unknown alias.” Andy C is now 47 years old. - Resident Advisor.
MOZEY
This is a handful of examples and we only know what is online - each person above has dealt with challenges (there is no way in 5 years or more you don’t) that has set them back, but they carried on, and look at them now.
Some personal stories from successful creatives include navigating illness, grief and loss and still being persistent with their dreams.
No matter what is holding you back, if you want it enough and work towards it (at whatever pace you want) you'll get there.
Maybe look at some of your heroes and their journeys to get a feel for them and what they do / have been through for a bit of Inspo! There are many more examples out there.
SELF CARE + SELF LOVE
Some days you can just give yourself time, be kind to yourself and through journalling and visioning, remind yourself why you are doing what you do and all you are capable of! And know that rest and self care is just as important as all the ‘doing’, if you want to do the right things to hit your goals and build that beautiful future you’re after.
We should ‘consistently’ be working on our journal, schedule, visions and all the rest, and, when we fall off the wagon, just be persistent, get back up (when you’re ready) and get back on it. And congratulate yourself when you do.
REMEMBER: Rather than telling yourself (or others) to always ‘Be Consistent’ - and being harsh on ourselves for not being (able to) - just commend ourselves for getting right back up and on, and being persistent in our goals, consistently!
And believe you will get there, because of course you will if you never give up.
Meet with one of our coaches today to see how we can help you stay motivared and consistent - in order to hit those goals! Find out more
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