I have a good track record of not being consistent with many things. I have been looking for a solution for a long time. I just know I tend to be inconsistent with things and don't want to be.
I have been reading a book called "The power of your subconscious mind" by Dr. Joseph Murphy. It a tough to accept kinda book because in society "Be realistic" is the norm. The book talks about belief, praying, faith, healing impossible conditions with our minds, and much more. The core of the whole concept is you are what you think. Let me put that in quotes to give it more impact.
You are what you think.
There are many ways to change habits, the first one, or even the most obvious one is to feel the change you want to have. For example, If you want to stop excessive use of social media, rather than setting time limits, locking the app, or uninstalling the app (A method that works for some but doesn't for most) the first step will be to believe that you are a person who doesn't use social media excessively. Saying out loud, "I am a person who does not spend a lot of time on social media". I have come across people who think doing this is lying to ourselves or just pretending or the best "faking it". If you feel the same way don't worry you are not alone. Although if you really think that is not who you are then how do you expect to bring any change?
If I decide that I want to take up reading as a habit, the first step is reading. If I want to change a certain mindset of myself (In my case inconsistency) then the first step would be for me to do that task and believe that "I am a consistent person". The first step is in the mind.
A rendition of the quote by Mahatma Gandhi.
Be the change you want to see.
A similar thing is discussed in the book "Atomic Habits". Literally the first step toward changing or building habits. In that book, the author talks about identity-based habits. (https://jamesclear.com/identity-based-habits). Do give it a read.
I strongly believe that people who suffer from a lack of self-discipline are the people who don't believe they can get better.
What's my point here?
Over the years I have given myself an identity, "I am a person who is inconsistent with many things". I have put myself in this box or this category of people. Now to prove that this whole angle works, I have to constantly make myself believe that I am a person who is consistent with his things and do the work that comes with it.
This new mindset has made me want to write today's blog. I was planning to skip this week because of some other work but I did not and also managed to get done with the other work.
Try it out, and most importantly believe in yourself and the change. That's the first step.
I'll see y'all next week!