Consistency is the secret sauce to achieving any goal, whether it’s a creative project, personal ambition, or professional milestone. But let’s be real—staying consistent can be tough. As a recovering procrastinator (yes, I see you, fellow dreamers!), I’ve learned a few tricks to keep myself on track, and today, I want to share them with you.

1. Start with Clarity: Identify What You Want to Achieve

The first step is to be clear about your goal. Whether it’s finishing a novel, launching a podcast, or mastering a new skill, knowing exactly what you want is half the battle. I like to make my goals specific and manageable. For example, instead of saying, “Finish a book by October 2021,” I’ll set a goal like, “Finish drafting Mrs. Franchy’s Evil Ring by October 2021.”

Why? Because big, nebulous goals can feel overwhelming. By breaking it down into smaller checkpoints, I avoid the frustration and pressure of carrying a massive task on my shoulders. I don’t set a final goal until I’m halfway through those checkpoints. This keeps things manageable and reduces the stress of having a huge looming deadline.

2. Set a Realistic Timeline

Once you know your goal, set a deadline. But here’s the key—it has to be realistic. Too much time and I’ll procrastinate; too little and I’ll stress out. Since I have a tendency to overcommit, I usually add an extra week to my timeline to keep things balanced and achievable.

3. Break It Down

Big goals can feel overwhelming. That’s why I break them into smaller subtasks with their own deadlines. For writing a book, here’s my breakdown:

• Drafting
• Rewrites: Broken down into Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3.
• Self-Edits: Focused on the big picture, character development, dialogue, setting, and timeline.
• Editor: Outsourced, so I work with their timeline.
• Proofreader: Also outsourced.
• Book Cover: Another outsourced task.
• Final Read-Through: This is when I announce the upcoming publication.
• Marketing: Begins during the final read-through with graphics and teasers.
• Publish: Finally, I can breathe!
• More Marketing: I extend marketing efforts for at least a year post-publication to keep the momentum going.

This breakdown helps me stay focused and prevents overwhelm. It also keeps the momentum going with small wins along the way.

*Extra kudos if you add all of these steps to your calendar so you can motivate yourself and stay on track.

4. Make It Work for You

Tailor your tasks to fit your lifestyle. Overcommitting is a one-way ticket to burnout. By setting achievable subtasks, I ensure that my progress is sustainable. Self-awareness, gained through therapy and journaling, has helped me create habits I can stick to without self-deception.

5. Accountability is Key

I use a habit tracker to hold myself accountable. It’s like having a mini coach that tracks what I’ve accomplished and what’s left. For extra accountability, I share my goals with my husband. He knows my quirks and lovingly keeps me honest when I need a nudge.

6. Learn and Adjust

Falling off the wagon? It happens. Instead of spiraling, I analyze what went wrong through journaling. Did I overcommit? Was I distracted? Then, I create a plan to get back on track. And here’s the twist: I give myself a nurturing pep talk. No harsh self-criticism—just encouragement to keep going. Negative self-talk only makes things worse, so I choose compassion over criticism.

7. Celebrate Your Wins

Over the years, I’ve achieved long-term goals like writing a children’s chapter book, publishing novellas and short stories, running a podcast, earning three degrees, and, of course, navigating the wild adventure of parenting. Each of these accomplishments is proof that consistency, paired with self-compassion, can lead to amazing outcomes.

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Consistency doesn’t mean being perfect; it means showing up, day after day, even when it’s hard. It’s about making progress, no matter how small, and staying committed to your journey. So, vacitos, let’s stay consistent together. Break down those goals, track your progress, and remember to be kind to yourself along the way.

Here’s to another week of crushing it, one step at a time!