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🎯 Why Showing Up Matters More Than Talent
Published 11 months ago • 5 min read
Hey Reader,
Welcome back to Living Better—your trusted guide to finding peace, purpose, and happiness in our fast-paced world.
In a world obsessed with quick wins and instant gratification, the true secret to success often goes unnoticed: consistency.
Talent might set the stage, but it’s the daily, unglamorous grind—the relentless commitment to showing up—that creates lasting results.
But what is consistency made of and how can we ensure it keeps showing up?
"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."
- Robert Collier
Why Consistency Matters
Consistency compounds. It’s the quiet, steady force that transforms small, daily actions into extraordinary outcomes over time.
When you show up consistently, you build momentum. That momentum turns into progress, and that progress, no matter how incremental, eventually leads to success.
Think of it like planting seeds: each day you water them, they grow a little more, until one day, they bloom.
When it comes to consistency, what is your biggest challenge?
The road to success isn’t paved with bursts of brilliance but with steady, persistent effort. Embrace the power of showing up every day—no matter how small the effort—with these three steps:
1. Start Small, Aim Big
Choose one area in your life where consistency could make a difference. Set a small, manageable goal—something you can commit to daily without fail.
Example: Write 200 words a day instead of aiming for a full chapter. Small, daily actions lead to big results.
2. Focus On The Process, Not The Outcome
Shift your mindset from obsessing over results to valuing the act of showing up. Celebrate the habit of consistency itself, rather than the immediate outcome.
Example: Instead of measuring success by pounds lost, focus on consistently eating well and exercising.
3. Track Your Progress
Use a journal or app to track your consistency. Seeing your streak grow can be incredibly motivating and reinforces the habit.
Example: Mark off each day you practice your new habit—watching those marks accumulate creates a powerful visual reminder of your commitment.
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From weight loss to adoption, explore our first-person stories from individuals achieving their goals with the simple art of consistency.
MEET WHITNEY, the woman divulging the secret to her 130-pound weight loss.
“I loaded my 3-month-old son into the stroller and walked for about 3 miles a day. Rain, wind, or shine..."
Dive into heartwarming stories and inspiring journeys from fellow Living Better members! This week, we're highlighting Cassie's touching story:
"Last night we brought out the sick tent. My kids each have their own—just a standard child’s play tent that sometimes serves a special purpose.
I had a sick tent when I was little, too—a seemingly small piece of childhood that actually looms large in my memories.
I remember my mom setting it out on the carpeted living room floor, the TV close by so I could peek my head out to watch my favorite movies and cartoons. Mom rubbed Vicks on my chest and let the humidifier run inside the tent, its flimsy frame and wispy flap holding the vapors inside just perfectly.
The smell of menthol ointment takes me back there, even now. Not to the feeling of sickness, but to the comfort of being cared for. I wanted to share this with my children.
Being sick is miserable for kids, and not being able to take it away is miserable for those of us who love them. But if there’s something they can look forward to—some small comfort that helps them feel extra safe and warm and loved—well, that makes all the difference.
That comfort might look like a miniature tent full of stuffed animals, pillows, snacks, and an elephant-shaped humidifier. Or maybe it’s snuggling on the couch to Cocomelon, a kid-sized heating pad easing the aches and pains of a tiny tummy. Or it’s chicken noodle soup and saltine crackers and reruns of The Price is Right (because some things should never change).
Last night, my daughter was soothed with the help of a little pink tent on a couch. But the tent itself isn’t what matters. What matters is the consistency of the feeling of being safe and warm and loved.
Children are going to cherish the experiences they associate with that feeling. So as long as they have you, the one who’d do anything to make everything better, they have all they truly need."
- Cassie Shaw, Living Better subscriber
The road to success isn’t paved with bursts of brilliance but with steady, persistent effort.
Talent might spark the fire, but it’s consistency that keeps it burning. Start today, stay the course, and let the power of consistency shape your future.
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Your ultimate guide for captivating personal stories, actionable insights, and evidence-backed advice, propelling you toward a meaningful life. Join our community of 200,000+ readers!
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