I’ve lost count of small business owners who look for the Magic Bullet — that one thing they need to do to ensure their success. There have been times when someone has contacted me in a blind panic asking “what’s that ONE thing” they need to do, to generate funds. I’m sorry to be the one that breaks it to you, but the Magic Bullet doesn’t exist.

Small business owners who spend time looking for that one magic bullet waste their resources and always end up frustrated and disappointed. The truth is that there’s no one single pathway to success, but I do offer hope and an insight into the one SKILL that ALL successful people have.

More on that in a bit.

Your products and services are multi-dimensional, as are your clients. One approach couldn’t possibly fit all. And different tactics work differently for your company as it grows and changes.

So why do we continually seek the magic bullet of success?

Perhaps for the same reasons our clients buy fast food, enjoy instant gratification, and think they can lose weight without exercising. Add to that the continual barrage of advertisers on social media who are willing to sell you their secret to success — grrr!!

That REALLY annoys me.

Please don’t fall foul of these claims, no matter how tempting they sound. If it was as easy as they say it is, then we would all be doing it already.

So, what should you do instead?

First off, give up the search for that one perfect solution, and get down to creating a plan of action that has at least several pieces to it. Stop wasting your time wishing for what’s not out there and start working on a tangible, reasonable plan that will get you to where you want to go.

Commit to TAKING ACTION.

CAN YOU GUESS THE SKILL THAT THE WORLD’S MOST SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON?

Ask a selection of business owners what they believe the highest paid skill-set is and you’re bound to hear answers such as…

…selling, networking, negotiation, innovation, leadership, and more.

All of the above are important key skills.

But none of these skills are valuable if you can only do them once or even now-and-then. The difference between a NFL player with a multi-million dollar contract and one who makes the league minimum is also a result of this one thing…

And that ONE THING is…

CONSISTENCY

Consistency in your results creates confidence in your reliability, which brings assurance and removes risk for the clients who pay you. Sports men and women who can be consistently counted on to score a match-winning point, make a catch or perform under pressure, time and again, reap the lion’s share of the rewards. As a business owner, you know the importance of consistency for your clients to achieve their desired results. The same holds true for you in your business. Look no further than the biggest reason for the success of major franchises and companies such as McDonald’s and Starbucks.

Do they have the best product on the market?

Absolutely not.

But their customers can rely on getting a “consistent experience” every single time. Your Market Will Reward Consistency Much More than Quality If, however, you can combine both consistency and quality, then you can create an extremely successful business and a strong brand. The examples are endless, but you can see that it’s consistency that is rewarded more than any real skill.

So how do you create consistency in your business?

First off, show up and do the work, even when you don’t feel like it — especially when you don’t feel like it. I have compiled a list of 7 Steps to help you ensure that Consistency becomes a habit in your life and business…

1. STOP FOCUSING ON SHORT-TERM RESULTS

Life is not a microwave. It’s a slow cooker. If you’ve tried a winter casserole from both, you’ll know which produces a better meal.

2. HAVE A CLEARLY WRITTEN PLAN THAT YOU REFER TO ON A DAILY BASIS

If consistency is a priority, having a written plan with the most important activities will help. You’ll create a plan for keeping you on track and focused on critical behaviours. The plan can be simple, but it serves as a reminder of what must be done to sustain consistent efforts which lead to consistent performance. I rely on a SELF Journal, and make a commitment to complete it every day and to block time to review the week I have just completed on a Sunday and then plan ahead for the upcoming week.

3. CREATE RULES FOR YOURSELF

Create rules to hold yourself accountable or hire a business coach or mentor to do that for you. The rules that help keep me consistent are simple, such as…

“I work out when I wake up.”

That’s a rule.

Another rule I’ve set is that, “I write something, a blog post, social media post or an article, every morning before working with my clients or on my own business.” When it’s a rule, you’re more likely to follow it.

4. COMMIT TO HABITS, NOT GOALS.

The surest way to achieve your goals isn’t to chase them, but to create the right habits that automatically move you toward your goals almost effortlessly. The best part about habits is that they don’t require willpower. They are automatic behaviours and either work for you or against you.

5. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS.

A famous Peter Drucker quote is “What gets measured, gets managed” and it is a principle I strongly believe in. Even if you get off track and slip up, if you track your progress, it will remind you how far you’ve come and it will keep you going even when you feel like quitting.

6. FALL IN LOVE WITH THE PROCESS, NOT THE PROGRESS.

We are wired for instant gratification and results and this can be difficult. But it’s easier when you celebrate small wins and take pride in the path you’re on, regardless of where it gets you. Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? The tortoise was slow but consistent and ended up winning the race. Life is a marathon, not a sprint!

7. REMEMBER: CONSISTENCY IS A MUSCLE AND MUSCLES NEED TO BE EXERCISED.

The most highly paid and in-demand skill in life isn’t something you can learn in a book or school. It must be practiced and put into action “consistently.” It’s a never-ending pursuit with never-ending rewards. As a business owner, clients and customers will reward you with their loyalty and repeat purchases if they can count on a consistently good experience.

Next time you’re stuck in your business and are feeling stagnant or you’re not achieving your goals, simply ask yourself where you’re failing to be consistent and how you can change course.