The Daily Grind: Consistency is Key

At this point, I know many of you have been inside the classroom for a few weeks and played in your first couple of games of the fall season. So, what’s the next phase of your journey as a student-athlete?

I have discussed the purpose of having a balanced life. Then, I touched on the importance of discipline, and the following tool for the daily grind is consistency.

We’re all familiar with the term ‘consistency is key.’ It’s one of my favorite sayings, and it’s something that I attempt to live by each day.

Everyone has a different definition of what consistency may mean but in my opinion, consistency is putting in the same effort each day, whether in life or through something you’re passionate about.

Similar to finding a balance or becoming more disciplined, finding a path to consistency doesn’t happen overnight.

I advise all student-athletes to add consistency as one of their daily tools for training and inside the classroom.

Having someone constantly remind you to perform well in the classroom can become a little frustrating, but it’s the life you chose when you decided to enter this world.

You must remember that the student comes before the athlete, and before you can apply yourself in the gym or on the field, your business in the classroom must take top priority.

Consistency should also be applied outside the classroom, whether in the weight room, during practice and most importantly, during a game. Your coach often isn’t watching to see how well you can perform. They’re checking to see if a player can do the same job repeatedly without skipping a beat because with consistency comes a growth in trust, which is one of the main qualities a coach will look for within a player.

For example, let’s say you’re a football player on the offensive line, and your job is to keep the opposing team from getting to your quarterback. That job is all about being consistent. The moment you decide to take a play off is when your quarterback gets hurt.

Many student-athletes need more consistency for many different reasons. Making excuses is one of the leading causes of inconsistency. Holding yourself accountable for your efforts and performance on the field or in the gym will result in more consistent and improved results.

Consistency might not always be the most glamorous, and there may be times when you don’t want to work, but each time, you’re building towards getting those results and creating habits that can impact your success.

As many of you prepare for your next game, I want you to remember that consistency accompanies winning. What distinguishes successful individuals from failed ones is their persistence in doing the work, even when unmotivated.

Being consistent does not mean being perfect, but it shows you can be reliable even when things get tough. Consistency will help create positive traits, such as character building and a good work ethic.

Good luck this week, and remember, nothing in this world can stop you from achieving greatness if you stick to the daily grind.

If you have any story ideas, feel free to contact me at dchristian@darnews.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

D’Courtland Christian is the assistant sports editor of the Daily American Republic. Contact him at dchristian@darnews.com.