Consistency = Trust

Everyone wants to be trusted. It is something that many crave without even being aware of it. In fact, the majority of people believe they are trustworthy. And in some regards they are. However, there are many ways in which they are not.

It begins with how we view trust. In other words, what is our basic definition of trust. I would say that most look at it as being honest. They are trustworthy because they will not steal from you. I believe this makes them honest, not necessarily trustworthy. Nevertheless, for their definition, they are trustworthy.

To me, being trustworthy means being able to be depended upon. Not stealing my dvd player is a good start but it goes much deeper than that. If I am to trust someone, that person needs to show the ability to do what is promised. I believe that each day we make unwritten contracts with each other. Unfortunately, most break these contracts with their actions. These are the people who I believe are untrustworthy.

What is the top quality that endears trust? Consistency. When someone is consistent, they are predictable. This is something that is not held in high esteem by most of society. Yet, it is the easiest way to garner the trust of another. Be consistent in your actions. Those who are "all over the place" make people uneasy since they never know what to expect. Emotional control is a great predictor of the ability for one to perform.

Another factor I find extremely important is one who consistently does what he or she says. Keeping your word is another quality that is not emphasized like it was in the past. There was a time when "your word is your bond". Now, many will make statements without giving any thought as to whether the action will be completed.

Nothing frustrates me more then when someone tells me they will call me back after a meeting and they fail to do so. This is where I quickly size people up. Those who cannot keep a simple commitment such as this also tend to show up late for things. They are continually falling short on projects while missing deadlines. Overall, they tend to be all over the place with everything.

These people are not trustworthy to me. They lack any basic consistency to their life or our interaction. It matters little whether we are referring to a friendship, business, or romantic relationship. The same standard applies. When one is consistent in their actions as compared to their words, then I find them to be trustworthy. Those who do not, are not.

Consider your daily life. Are you consistent in what you do? Do you seek to fulfill your unwritten promises you made to another? Or do you say things while doing something completely different? The answers to these questions will tell you if others trust you or not. People who live their life in a haphazard manner usually are not trusted. This might be an eye-opener to you but it is reality. You might not be as trustworthy as you believe. If you aren't, focus on being more consistent in all that you do.
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Consistency

Rome wasn't built in a day. We all heard this saying yet have you ever taken the time to consider what that really means? Most have not. Yet, it holds one of the keys for success.

Being from a sales background, I learned the value of consistency. When I was in management, my income was derived based upon what the salespeople sold. At the beginning of each month, I had to project what we were going to produce. With some, this was easy. However, there were others who were a challenge.

Any sales manager will tell you that he or she would take a salesperson who consistently produced the same amount each month as opposed to the person who is a star one month and a dud the next. In the end, it is easier to deal with a steady producer even if you sacrifice some overall production.

The "superstars" pride themselves on being able to write large numbers. This is the upside to them. However, these same people tend to be equally capable of throwing up a low number. They lack the discipline to consistently produce. This drives an owner (manager) nuts since the bills come in steadily each month.

What does this have to do with you if you are not in sales? Contained in this idea is the basis for all your success. Consistency in life is what gets results. For example, if you went to the gym 4 days in a row then took 3 weeks off, what do you think your results would be? Not very good. To achieve physical fitness, it is crucial to be consistent with your exercise routine. It is the consistency that gets the results.

Lets take attitude as an example. Have you ever dealt with one of those people who was always on an emotional rollercoaster? They are up one day, down the next. People like this are impossible to deal with. You never know which person will show up. People like this tend to have few friends (success in the interpersonal arena). They drive people away.

Contrast that with someone who is consistently happy. That person always has people around him or her. That attitude spreads to others. People feel better being in the presence of a person like that. The consistency puts others at ease.

Take a look at your life. Where can you be more consistent? Rome was built over a long period of time, one stone at a time. Everyday the masons were adding to the city. This consistent activity allowed them to create one of the most powerful empires the world ever saw. And it was the result of daily action.
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The Easiest Way To Be A Star

There is one characteristic which will separate you from all of your peers. It is also the one trait that will help all your goals materialize. Those who focus their attention on this attain some of the greatest degrees of success. It is the one quality which will always keep you employed and that is CONSISTENCY.

People overlook the value of this simple concept. Yet, it is the one thing that all in positions of power seek in their people. You can choose any walk of life and you will see how the consistent are handsomely rewarded.

The field of sales is one where many managers seek out the "superstar" salesperson. However, these are not the successful managers. "Superstars" tend to be flaky in their production. They have the capability to deliver stellar months only to be followed up with nothing. A successful sales manager knows the key is getting people to deliver consistent numbers, even if they are not the top producers. Consistency allows for better planing, more consistent cash flow, and a steady flow of inventory.

Sports is another area where consistency is rewarded. Baseball teams love pitchers who can throw a shutout with 15 strikeouts. However, if that person consistently follows up that performance with two lackluster outings, a team is harmed. Again, managers prefer to know what they will get out of their pitcher.

A Dr. Jekyll, Mr Hyde approach to life creates a lack of confidence when dealing with others. By the same token, when your efforts are inconsistent, the internal self doubt creeps in. The remedy to this is for you to focus upon consistent action everyday.

The other day I wrote about doing something daily until it becomes a habit. Habitual actions create consistent outcomes. This allows for a smooth pursuit of all your goals. We started with three items that you want to achieve in the next year. Then, through the process of breaking the goal down, we arrived at daily activities we can take that move us closer to the goals. Consistently doing something day-after-day will create the habits necessary for success.

Follow this simple plan and you will see many of your goals arrived at by March 1st.
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