Depending on which expert you ask, a habit can take anywhere from 21-45 days to put into action before it sticks. I’m not big on counting the number of days versus simply knowing the habit is remaining effective.
Allow me to introduce you to Bob, the toad. He shows up at my front door almost every evening and hangs out until the next morning. He’s been doing it for months. As I left the other morning to head to my personal training session, I took notice of Bob and realized something.
He is consistent in showing up. I’m learning I can count on looking out my front door when I let my dog Zeke out each night and Bob is almost always there, just chilling.There’s a lesson to be learned there, friends.

[Tweet “When we’re consistent in following through, people take notice.”]

When we’re consistent in following through, people take notice. 

Getting healthy isn’t always easy. There are days you don’t want to show up for that early morning workout. There are evenings you’re so tired the thought of going for an after work jog wears you out.
But no one ever says after they show up, “I wish I hadn’t done that.” No, instead you have one more victory to celebrate. Actually, two victories: the showing up part and the enduring the work out part.
When you show up for the things that are important, results happen. Friends notice. Family notices. Your boss notices. And speaking for myself, my waist is noticing.

Consistency doesn’t just change you. It changes others. 

People are watching you, whether you know it or not. They see both the failures and the successes. When they see your new habit turning into a way of life, versus just simply a task to check off your list, they take notice, and something inside them shifts.
[Tweet “When you change, you give others hope they can change too. “]
If you started with a simple walk around the block and you’ve been doing it for two weeks now, maybe that neighbor says to themselves, “Hey, I can find the time to go for a little walk.”
If you’ve implemented the habit of making it to the gym 3x/week, I bet your husband is paying attention. Maybe he knows this isn’t just a phase and he’s ready to climb on board and do it with you.
You’re giving others hope; hope that change is possible for them, too.

Comparing yourself to a toad is now a compliment. 

I want to be like Bob, don’t you? I want people to know I’m going to show up and keep pushing through, even when it’s hard. It reminds me that consistency will always pay off.
I want to be consistent for myself first, knowing that I can do this thing, whatever that thing is, whether it’s losing weight, being a better employee, writing that book I’ve always wanted to write, or simply improving my relationship with a loved one.
None of it happens without consistency. When we start with us, the rest falls into place.
Go be a toad! It’s the new badge of awesomeness!
Ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit!
Or is that Croak! Croak! Croak!?
[reminder]What step can you take today to be more consistent like Bob the toad? Are you already victorious in a habit? I’d love to hear it. [/reminder]