In accounting, there is this idea called the consistency principle. The consistency principle says that when a financial method or principle is adopted, it is to be adhered to without exception. The methods you utilize should only change should the adoption of a new version of those methods improve results. The consistency principle in your finances creates continuity in accounting records and provides a standard by which all future financial periods are judged. In short, the consistency principle provides a foundation that does not change, regardless of the results and outcomes of a specific financial period. The idea here is that unless an improvement can be made, the only thing we can do is stay the course. Financially, this means that we keep moving forward even if we aren’t getting rich overnight. In fact, it’s a red flag for accountants if profits increase but nothing else has changed because lasting change is typically incremental. Even when it feels like nothing is happening, the only thing we can do is keep moving forward. In the Bible, we find the story of two women, Ruth and Naomi. Ruth was Naomi’s daughter-in-law, and both women faced incredible tragedy when they lost their husbands. Naomi was overcome with her loss and became bitter. Ruth, however, saw no other option but to remain consistent. She remained with Naomi even though they were no longer related, followed her as she moved to another country, and cared for her. Ruth did these things because she had made a commitment to her new family; she understood that the only way through the tragedy and loss she faced was to remain consistent. She honored her mother-in-law, worked hard, and stayed the course. As a result, she found healing and deliverance. Her life was defined by her consistency. We all have a choice to make. We can be like Naomi, overwhelmed by our situation and paralyzed by our frustration. We can uproot our lives and make drastic changes when things do not go according to plan. Or we can choose to be like Ruth; we can be consistent, we can stay the course, and we can find the results we are looking for. Our fate is determined by the choices we make. Our growth is determined by our ability to be consistent. [bctt tweet="Our growth is determined by our ability to be consistent." username="dukematlock"] In the health community, there is a saying: “There’s no magic pill. There’s only hard work.” I find this to be true in every arena of life. Whether it be finances, our careers, or our personal development, there is a temptation to look for an easy fix. If something does not produce immediate results, our first instinct is to walk away and try something different; cut our losses and blaze a new trail. And while sometimes this is necessary, it is rarely the solution. Sometimes all we need is to be consistent. The principle of compound interest says that small changes, consistently made over time, will result in exponential growth. Did you catch that? Small changes can only produce exponential growth if they are consistently made. The key is not an innovative idea or a groundbreaking plan. The key is consistency; it isn’t about making an impression in the moment, it’s about making an impact that lasts.   [jotform id=51954776646168]]]>

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