Consistent and Constant

A Guest Post by H.A. Jabar; Jabar International Inc.

Some time ago, I was flipping through channels during a commercial of the 49ers and Green Bay Packers game. I found myself mesmerized by a game that I know very little about, tennis. It was immediately clear that this game was being played for high-stakes, as it was the finals of the women’s U.S. Open. Serena Williams was playing against a young woman who was ranked number one in the world, Victoria Azarenka. I could feel the intensity in the atmosphere as the two women volleyed back and forth seeking to best their opponent. The game was moving towards the second hour.

I was not only impressed by the level of play, but more so with the level of concentration and consistency that these two world class athletes expressed. With every swing of their racket you could feel how much effort was exerted, both mentally and physically. Their level of focus was evident and it was displayed on their face.

Volley after volley, they would watch the ball, watch their opponent, react by swinging the racket with great power, and with the best of their ability place the ball where they wanted it to go. It was an intense series of events. It literally made my heart race! I could feel the strength of their desire to win as I watched both women talk to themselves in between points.

The Need for Constancy and Consistency

As I continued to be drawn into the television, I realized how many real-life principles were at work in this winner take all tennis match. I saw a wide array of principles being practiced: the use of positive self-talk, overcoming fatigue, maintaining energy, strategy, responsiveness, making changes in your game, playing smart in the last minute as well as the first minute, and not taking mental breaks. I found myself in awe by a game that I knew very little about. The commentators made it known that sometimes these matches lasted up to three hours and up to five hours for men.

Every point was like a life or death situation. Just as a builder builds stage by stage, tennis matches are won point by point. There was no room for error or time for a mental lapse. Any opportunities that could be taken advantage of would likely determine the result of the final outcome. Watching this match reiterated to me the necessity of being constant and consistent with my actions. Constant and consistent efforts produce results. Whether in practice or in real life performance, to bring forth desired results one must maintain his or her efforts in a consistent manner without letting up until the ultimate task is achieved.

So What is Constancy?

Constant means not varying, uniform, or regular. It is continuing without a pause or let up, unceasing. Constant is also unswerving in love or devotion. It means certain and confident or something that does not change or vary.

When it comes to performance, achieving results or success, our actions have to be the right actions as well as consistent actions. To bring into existence the things that we want, we have to continually take action, consistently performing the right tasks, and not letting up or deviating from the work that needs to be completed.

Watching two world-class athletes reinforced the fact that there is no time for mental lapses when competing against the best. While life is not necessarily a competition, there are always obstacles and challenges that separate you from your intended result. It is our ability to be relentless and steadfast in our work ethic that will raise our level of performance to its peak.

As I watched both of these athletes between the breaks talking to themselves, it reminded me of the necessity of positive self-talk. Whether they were winning or losing, they were both active in communicating with their self. I watched both women consistent in using language to motivate themselves, to keep it going or to pick it up. To be consistent, our mental game has to lead the way. Our physical actions are determined by what our mind tells our body to do.

Consistency in Action

How is this principle seen in our universe? At the near center of our universe is the Sun. This massive ball of fire has tremendous power and applies it through the medium of light. The sun shines light on all nine planets, striking them in such a manner that causes them to rotate. The Sun is constant and consistent. It does not let up, slow down, take a break, or come back later to finish what it started. It is able to move planets of enormous size by using its own power in a consistent and constant fashion. No one questions if the sun is going to rise in the morning. No one asks if the Sun is going to be late tomorrow. It is always on time.

We must each be like our Sun. We must have a clear goal of the work we intend do, what we desire to achieve, and we must be consistent in our actions. We must not let up or cease to act. We have to be without pause, confident, and certain of our desired outcome. It is imperative that we be without deviation, have no irregularities in our efforts and produce predictable and dependable results!

H.A. Jabar is an Author, Speaker, Trainer, Entrepreneur, and Youth Advocate. He is also author of the premier self-help book, A Well Made Man: Building The Temple Of Self (get it here!)