Consistency is the one skill set all entrepreneurs must adopt to succeed. While mistakes may determine how long your journey takes, it’s a lack of commitment that derails most entrepreneurial dreams. When you practice consistency, commitment naturally follows. Think of persistence and consistency as siblings – they work together to create success.
I’ve built my career on this principle. Half of my day is completely nonnegotiable, while the other half remains negotiable. This structure ensures I maintain consistency every day with twelve dedicated hours, regardless of what life throws my way. Interest rates may fluctuate, weather may change, and delays will happen – but these are merely excuses that prevent people from accomplishing what truly matters.
The Power of Nonnegotiable Time
My approach is straightforward but effective: I divide my life in half. Twelve hours are completely nonnegotiable – this includes essential activities like:
- Sleep and rest
- Health maintenance and exercise
- Family time
- Financial management
- Spiritual practice
When you establish these nonnegotiable hours, you create a foundation that prevents you from quitting when challenges arise. This structure has been crucial to my success in sports management and business coaching. It’s not about working more hours – it’s about protecting the right hours.
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Mastering the Negotiable Hours
Once you’ve secured your nonnegotiable time block, you can focus on developing another critical skill: prioritization. The remaining twelve hours of your day become your “negotiable” time, where you respond to the circumstances each day presents.
This doesn’t mean these hours aren’t valuable or productive. Rather, it means you have flexibility to adjust based on what’s most important at that moment. Some days might require more client meetings, while others might need focused product development time.
The key is maintaining the discipline to protect your nonnegotiable hours while skillfully managing your negotiable time.
I’ve coached countless entrepreneurs who struggled with consistency. They would work 16-hour days for a week, then burn out and accomplish nothing for days afterward. This roller-coaster approach inevitably leads to failure. True success comes from showing up consistently, day after day, regardless of external circumstances.
Building Your Consistency Muscle
Consistency isn’t just about work – it applies to every aspect of life. When you’re consistent with your health, relationships, and personal growth, these areas strengthen your business performance. Everything is connected.
Start by identifying what belongs in your nonnegotiable category. What must you do every day to maintain your foundation? For me, adequate sleep, exercise, family time, and financial review are non-negotiable. Your list might look different, but the principle remains the same.
Next, practice prioritizing your negotiable hours based on:
- High-impact activities that move your business forward
- Time-sensitive opportunities or challenges
- Activities aligned with your long-term vision
This two-part system creates both stability and flexibility – exactly what entrepreneurs need to thrive in unpredictable environments.
Remember that consistency doesn’t mean rigidity. It means having a reliable framework that allows you to weather storms and seize opportunities while maintaining your core commitments.
When you master consistency, you’ll never quit. You’ll develop the resilience to overcome obstacles and the discipline to stay focused on what matters most. In my decades of business experience, I’ve found no other skill that delivers more reliable results for entrepreneurs than unwavering consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you determine which activities should be nonnegotiable?
I recommend identifying the fundamental activities that support your physical, mental, emotional, and financial wellbeing. These typically include adequate sleep, physical activity, family time, and financial management. Your nonnegotiables should form the foundation that enables everything else in your life to function properly.
Q: What if emergencies disrupt my nonnegotiable hours?
True emergencies will occasionally disrupt even the most disciplined schedule. The key is to return to your consistency practice immediately afterward. Don’t let one disruption cascade into days or weeks of inconsistency. Address the emergency, then get back to your routine as quickly as possible.
Q: Can the 12-hour nonnegotiable approach work for entrepreneurs with young children or other major responsibilities?
Absolutely. The specific activities within your nonnegotiable hours may look different based on your life circumstances, but the principle remains valid. Parents might include family meals and bedtime routines in their nonnegotiable hours. The important thing is creating protected time for what truly matters, then working around those commitments.
Q: How long does it take to see results from practicing consistency?
Most entrepreneurs notice improved focus and productivity within the first few weeks of implementing a consistency practice. However, the more significant business results typically emerge after 3-6 months of sustained consistency. Remember that consistency compounds over time – the longer you maintain it, the greater the benefits.
Q: What’s the difference between consistency and just having a routine?
A routine is simply a sequence of actions, while consistency is the commitment to maintain those actions regardless of circumstances. Many people have routines they follow when convenient but abandon when challenges arise. True consistency means honoring your commitments even when it’s difficult, which builds the resilience and discipline essential for entrepreneurial success.
