THE RIGHT CONSISTENCY

Even before getting married, I had taken several classes on raising children. The one thing that stuck with me over the years is that as a parent, you must be consistent. If you do not allow a certain behavior today, do not allow it tomorrow. If you are not consistent, the child becomes confused as to what is acceptable and often creates unwanted situations for the parent.

As a sports fan, I see inconsistency in some of my favorite teams. The New Orleans Saints, for example, have proven statistically that they win more often when running the ball. However, they consistently throw the ball more often. In fact, in the last two weeks they have thrown the ball 85 times and only run 28 times. Both of these games were losses.

Some businesses do things because “it has always been done that way.” You can sometimes change the way you do something while being consistent to the principles you have established over time.

Sometimes programs are no longer working yet we decide to keep them running. I heard someone once say, “If the horse you are riding dies, get off the horse.” This does not mean to fire everyone or scrap every procedure. Sometimes, it does. Sometimes, we need to make only a small change. Sometimes people are more efficient doing other tasks. Maybe there is miscommunication on the focus that needs to be resolved.  Maybe additional and updated training can help.

Not everyone is the same. Nor is every situation the same. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and ask a few questions.  Where are we now? Where do we want to go? How do we get there effectively?

We must consistently examine ourselves to make sure we are doing what works. We must consistently focus on the goal. We must remain consistent in doing the right things, the things get us there and continue to be consistent in the principles upon which you stand.

If you are doing the right things, then continue to do them. If things are consistently not working out, maybe you just need to find the right consistency.

Change is not bad unless you are changing just because everyone else is doing something different. Change what is not working but keep what is. If you want to be a leader, then do not do what everyone else is doing. Do something different or do something better.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. - Ralph Waldo Emerson