Showing Up

6. Be Consistent (The Encouragement Manifesto)

We have all done it … the surge of enthusiasm dampened down by a sense of overwhelm. Projects started … and left hanging. “Not enough time”, “other priorities”, or “Maybe writing isn’t my thing”.

We find all the reasons to stop showing up for ourselves.

We love how

Roberta’s Substack

tackles the limitations of her previous approach head-on. In doing so, she unlocks a new approach to the consistency she wants in her creative practice. The lessons are generously offered.

This new collaborative project The Gift of Words* is brimful of learning and new ideas for our creative practices so this piece fits the collection perfectly.

* follow this link if you would like to add to this collection of encouraging words.

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Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

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"I accumulated small but consistent habits that ultimately led to results that were unimaginable when I started"

― James Clear (author of 'Atomic Habits’)

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Perhaps what draws me most to this value in the manifesto is that, for as long as I’ve known myself, I have been anything but consistent.

I’d be driven, passionate, reckless with my time – until I grow demotivated, lethargic and wasteful, my days ruled by the fleeting states of mood or appetite.

I’ve lost count of the number of projects, initiatives and groups I’ve abandoned over the years. I thought it was just the kind of person I am, always on the lookout for the next thing. Curious, daring, and ready to jump ship if something more exciting appears.

Now I know it was just an excuse to make myself feel better. To mask that sense of failure, package it up in a trait that felt more appealing.

Until I took a hard look at myself and realised I did not like what I saw.

I did not like picking up loose ends and remembering the enthusiasm that fizzled into naught just because I couldn’t be bothered to commit to it.

I didn’t like the echoing what-ifs of the hundred scenarios that play out in my head. What if I had carried on with this?

And I did not like how the space I lived in was a constant reminder of dreams that turned to smoke.

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So when I took that long look at myself, I asked the reflection in the mirror – sceptical, unsure, and yet determined to change – what I thought was lacking.

Was it passion, zest?

Was it pre-planning?

Was it surrounding myself with the right people?

Was I getting enough sleep, enough exercise, enough nutritious food?

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Perhaps all of these contribute to success in one way or another, but I realised that the only way to get anywhere was to show up for myself. At this point in my life, I prioritise a million other things; my son, my family, my work, until I thought I was left with nothing for myself.

But this wasn’t strictly true. I was also wasteful of my time, or prone to let my mood dictate what I should do with was left. I had some time, if I really wanted it. Most of us do. All I needed right then was to be consistent with the scraps of time I was given.

You cannot expect to reach a finish line if you only race a couple of minutes whenever you fancy.

You cannot expect to reach a destination if all you do is stand and imagine the landscape when you get there.

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Show up for yourself.

It became a mantra almost, a chant. Be consistent.

Do a little, but do it every single day. Sometimes you may wish to do more and that’s great. But when that doesn’t happen, when you do not wish to do anything at all, that’s when you really need to push through. When you really need to show up.

Because it is only through this consistency, even if it is just 20 minutes or less a day, are you able to build the foundation for success – whatever that looks like for you. Personally, allowing myself this time has not only helped me practice being consistent, it has helped me feel better about myself. It has helped me improve, in my case, my writing, a tiny bit each day. And consequently, because I feel more confident in my abilities, I’m able to be the best version of myself for others too. Consistency and its effects have helped me show up as a better wife, a better mother, a better friend, colleague, sister, daughter. The wide-ranging implications are incredible.

So I ask you – if there was nothing holding you back, what would you be able to conquer? If you stayed true to yourself and your intentions, how far would you go?

Show up. Be consistent.

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Roberta is pretty new to Substack but she has a longstanding blog ‘Words’ which started as a way to keep loved ones in touch with her busy work life abroad. It has evolved, balancing lifestyle posts and collaborative fiction with ease. Roberta’s Substack already looks as though it will reflect her wide range of interests.

“I’m not sure where this platform will take me. What you can expect, is words. Snippets from the novel I’m working on, poetry, prompt writing, reflections. The plan is to put forward something at least once a month, if not twice, so I won’t be bothering you too much. My quick and easy outlet when I feel inspired to write.”

We do hope you will join Roberta on her journey.