When I started coaching, our Head Coach, Hilton Slack, always said Consistency Breeds Success.
Over the years, I have used this phrase as I progressed in coaching to encourage my swimmers and athletes to be their best. Only recently have I understood and seen what the phrase truly means.
Consistency can be defined as acting, behaving, or having the same attitude towards certain things or people. It's about building routines and sticking with them, not only in the excellent but challenging times.
Consistency in sports is not a one-time effort; it's a daily commitment. It's about showing up every day with a clear mindset, vision, and intensity, ready to give your best and push your limits.
Here's a short clip from world-renowned Swim Coach Bob Bowman on showing up every day
So, how does one go about being consistent?
Goals & Values
When you look at great teams or players, they have a clear vision of where they going and how to get there. They also have clear values about what they represent as teams and players. One of the most successful teams in world sport, the All Blacks have always had clear team and individual goals and have stood firm on their values as a team and individual players, leading them to be the most successful team in rugby and world sports.
Trust the Process
To achieve consistency, there needs to be a process that is followed or adopted by teams and athletes. Trusting the process is crucial. It allows teams and athletes to stay in the present and focus on what they can control. You will have ups and downs during the process, but you must trust the values and goals you have set out. This trust will keep you reassured and confident in your journey towards consistency.
Establish a Routine
If you want to be consistent, it is essential to establish a routine. A routine will allow teams and athletes to structure their daily activities, providing a sense of control and organization. It will help with preparation by enabling teams and athletes to be prepared for what might go wrong and will allow them to be relaxed and focused before and during training and competition. This sense of organization and preparedness is vital to achieving consistency.
Practice with Purpose
We have all heard that how you train is how you will race or compete. If your sessions are not purposeful, deliberate, or intense, we won't be able to perform consistently on the court or pitch. By practicing with intent and purpose, you can refine your skills and develop greater consistency in execution, fostering a sense of focus and determination.
Having consistency applies not only to sports but also to your everyday life. Even if you are not an athlete and looking to get fit or change your lifestyle for the better, it will require you to be consistent and stay the course in achieving your goals.
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