It’s January, and like many of you, I’m knee-deep in thinking about resolutions. Over the years, I’ve set countless goals, some I crushed, others I abandoned halfway through. But one lesson stands out as the most impactful for personal and professional growth: Consistency beats perfection every single time.
This year, I’m not chasing grand plans or lofty resolutions. Instead, I’m focusing on habits, showing up, day in and day out, without overthinking the process.
Let me explain why consistency is a game-changer and how you can apply it to elevate your leadership, communication, and marketing.
Back in university, I wanted to get in the best shape of my life. Naturally, I went all-in, spending hours crafting the ultimate workout routine. I signed up for Bodybuilding.com, studied Jim Stoppani’s science-backed programs, and nerded out over fitness strategies.
But despite all my planning, I rarely made it to the gym. My attendance was wildly inconsistent. The plan? Flawless. The execution? Nonexistent.
The turning point came when I ditched my obsession with perfection and focused on one simple goal: Just get to the gym consistently. No complex systems. No overanalyzing. Just showing up, doing a couple of exercises, running for 10 minutes, and heading home. Nada Más.
This isn’t just a fitness story. The same principle applies to business, whether you’re building a brand, leading a team, or scaling a startup. Big wins don’t come from sporadic bursts of effort; they’re the result of small, repeatable actions.
Here’s why consistency is the secret sauce:
Let’s break this down with actionable examples of how consistency can transform your business.
If you’re a leader and think your team automatically stays aligned with your vision, I’ve got news for you: they don’t. Employees get bombarded with conflicting demands, shifting priorities, and endless distractions. Without clear, consistent communication, your vision gets lost in the noise.
One way I stay consistent with my team is through a weekly team memo. Every Monday, I send a Notion update that covers three things:
This simple habit ensures everyone knows the destination and their role in getting there. It’s not just about the memo itself. It’s the ritual of reminding my team, week after week, that we’re aligned and on the same page.
💡 Actionable Tip: Start a weekly communication habit. Whether it’s a memo, a quick Slack update, or an audio message, make it short, clear, and consistent. Your team will thank you.
Too many leaders and marketers obsess over the bottom of the funnel (BOFU). They chase conversions, revenue, and other immediate wins. But before someone becomes a customer, they first need to know who you are and trust you. That’s where the top of the funnel (TOFU) comes in.
Think about brands like Netflix or Morning Brew. They don’t rely on one hit show or a single viral newsletter. Instead, they win by showing up consistently. Netflix drops new content every week. Morning Brew hits your inbox every day. Neither is perfect, but their dependability keeps audiences engaged and loyal.
For your business, building brand consistency means:
💡 Actionable Tip: Choose one content format, e.g. blog posts, LinkedIn updates, email newsletters, and commit to publishing on a regular schedule. Even if it’s once a month, showing up consistently builds awareness and trust.
Customer retention beats customer acquisition. If you can consistently deliver a positive experience, your customers won’t just stick around. They’ll become your biggest advocates.
Take Netflix, for example. Their success isn’t built on one viral hit or a single blockbuster series. Sure, they’ve had massive hits like Stranger Things or The Crown, but those alone aren’t what keep subscribers coming back. Netflix’s strength lies in its consistency. They drop new content week after week, creating a constant stream of shows and movies for every taste. Whether it’s a niche documentary, a new stand-up special, or the next binge-worthy drama, their steady output keeps audiences engaged and loyal.
Similarly, think about Morning Brew. It’s not flashy or groundbreaking every day, but it doesn’t have to be. What matters is that it shows up every morning, like clockwork, delivering a quick, digestible dose of business and tech news. Over time, this consistency builds trust and dependence. Subscribers don’t have to wonder if they’ll get their morning briefing; they know it’ll be there. That dependability is what drives engagement and keeps their audience coming back.
The lesson? Success isn’t about occasional bursts of brilliance. It’s about showing up consistently, delivering value, and building trust over time. Netflix and Morning Brew prove that when you’re steady and reliable, you stay top of mind, and top of your game.
For smaller businesses, you can replicate this by:
💡 Actionable Tip: Map out the key touchpoints in your customer journey. Where can you add consistent actions, like a follow-up message or a quick support check-in, that build trust and loyalty?
The beauty of consistency is its compounding effect. Small actions might feel insignificant in the moment, but over time, they build momentum and deliver exponential results. As James Clear says in Atomic Habits: “You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
For me, this year is all about showing up, no perfection required. Whether it’s writing a newsletter, having weekly check-ins with my team, or sticking to my personal growth habits, the focus is on progress, not perfection.
“You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” - James Clear, Atomic Habits
What’s one habit you can commit to showing up for consistently this month? Maybe it’s:
Whatever it is, keep it simple. Forget perfection. Just start.
Here’s to a consistent, impactful year ahead. Let’s make 2025 the year we focus on habits, not hacks.
What’s your consistency goal for this year? Share it in the comments or reply. I’d love to hear how you’re planning to show up.
"Greatness is consistency.
Meditating once is common.
Meditating daily is rare.
Exercising today is simple.
Training every week is simply remarkable.
Writing one essay doesn’t mean much.
Writing every day practically makes you a hero.
Unheroic days can make for heroic decades." - James Clear, Atomic Habits
1. Why is consistency more important than perfection in business?
Consistency is more achievable and sustainable than perfection. While perfection can lead to paralysis or burnout, consistent actions create momentum, build trust, and compound over time. Whether it’s delivering reliable customer service or regularly aligning your team, small, steady steps yield lasting results.
2. How can I stay consistent when I’m overwhelmed with priorities?
Start small and focus on what matters most. Choose one or two key areas to prioritize, like weekly team communication or consistent customer follow-ups. Use tools like Notion, Slack, or a simple calendar reminder to build habits. Progress, not perfection, should be your goal.
3. How does consistency impact team leadership?
Consistency in leadership fosters alignment, trust, and dependability. Regular updates, such as team memos or check-ins, keep everyone on the same page and reduce confusion. When your team knows they can count on you, they’re more engaged and motivated.
4. What’s an example of consistency in branding?
A great example is Netflix. They release content every week, appealing to a wide range of audiences. This regular cadence builds trust and keeps subscribers engaged. For smaller brands, posting consistently on social media or publishing a monthly newsletter can have the same effect.
5. How long does it take to see results from being consistent?
Consistency compounds, so results take time. You might not see immediate outcomes, but small, repeatable actions build momentum over weeks and months. Stay patient and committed, like investing in compound interest, the long-term payoff is worth it.
If you’re looking to take your leadership and business consistency to the next level, I highly recommend our Managing Growth course on Growth Leap.
This course dives deep into strategies for aligning your team, scaling your business, and fostering habits that drive sustainable growth. Whether you’re struggling with communication, team management, or prioritization, this program offers actionable tools to help you lead with clarity and consistency.
💡 Why This Course?
Check it out and start building the habits that will scale your business effectively.
