Importance of Consistency

The most important attribute: Consistency

1. Set Clear Goals:

Start with specific, achievable goals. Knowing what you're working towards makes it easier to stay consistent. If your event is more than 12 weeks away, set a weekly focus or even daily. Use smaller events to build towards your main event.

2. Routine:

Block out non-negotiable training times. Try to have two sessions per day if possible. Sit down and plan out time for yourself to train that becomes a routine. Consistency is often about repetition and habit formation.

3. Track Progress:

Use your coach in conjunction with TrainingPeaks to track your progress and be honest with yourself. Are you prioritising your training time to achieve the goal you have set out for yourself? Make a fair and honest self-assessment without spending too long in the house of mirrors.

4. Stay Motivated:

Find your motivation and remind yourself of it regularly. Whether it's a personal ambition, a professional goal, or something else, keep your motivation in sight.

5. Manage Time Wisely:

Prioritise your tasks and use time management tools if necessary. Avoiding procrastination is key to consistency. The repercussions of a missed session can make us feel pretty terrible. No one ever regrets getting up and at least making a start.

6. Seek Support:

Surround yourself with supportive people and training partners who encourage your consistent efforts. Sometimes, accountability to others can boost your own consistency.

7. Be Flexible:

Be prepared to adjust your plans as needed. Flexibility can help you maintain consistency even when circumstances change. Family, friends, and life, all get in the way of training. I hear this all the time, but how can your greatest support network stop you? Usually, it's just poor planning or a breakdown in communication. Be upfront with the requirements of your goal before pursuing it. Transparency is key in all great relationships.

8. Shit Happens:

If you falter, analyse what went wrong and learn from it. Use setbacks as opportunities to assess and move forward.

9. Celebrate Successes:

Recognise and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This can reinforce your consistent behavior. You can even acknowledge other athletes on great weeks to create a positive loop.

10. Maintain Balance:

Ensure that your pursuit of consistency doesn’t overwhelm other important aspects of your life. Balance is key to long-term success. I always respected Sutto for pushing some of his athletes into university degrees to create a more balanced human first and foremost.

Remember, consistency is not about perfection; it's about making steady progress. It's normal to have ups and downs, so be patient with yourself.