A Childhood Shaped by Loss
The author’s story begins at the age of 7 when his father passed away. With this loss, came tension in the household, which led him to act out. To cope, he resorted to mischief, and at school, teachers started labeling him as someone who could never be taught. This became his self-identity, and for years, he believed that nothing good could come from his life.
As he reached college, he found himself falling behind. No one expected him to achieve anything. He fell into the trap of partying and dropped out of college. To make ends meet, he took up small jobs, but his life was far from the dream he had imagined. However, everything started to change one day when he was working at a golf resort.
A Life-Changing Moment
While cutting grass on the golf course, he saw a group of well-dressed individuals playing golf. They looked content, confident, and seemingly living the dream — with better homes, better cars, and a much more positive circle of friends. This triggered a thought that shook him: Are these people 20 times smarter or more hardworking than I am?
The answer was clear: No, they’re not. They weren’t inherently more intelligent or hardworking, yet they were living a life that was 20 times better than his own. He had created a reality where living a good life seemed impossible. That realization made him angry at himself. He spent the next few days reflecting on his life.
The Turning Point
During this time, he decided on two important things:
- I am average, but I am not just average.
- I can achieve success through hard work and dedication.
These decisions marked the beginning of a 15-year journey of personal growth. He returned to college, earned top grades in two majors, received continuous promotions at work, and eventually started his own solar company. For a while, everything seemed to be falling into place.
But life had other plans.
The Collapse and Lessons Learned
After several successful years, a sudden change in government tax laws sent the entire solar industry into turmoil. The author’s company wasn’t prepared for the shift. He had taken on massive loans, and with no contingency plans, the business collapsed, and he went bankrupt overnight. The bank even repossessed his car. Once again, he found himself at rock bottom.
This moment of failure was devastating, but it also taught him valuable lessons. He realized that he had been stuck in a cycle of survival and failure throughout his life.
The Cycle of Failure
Whenever he got close to failure, he would scramble to survive, but as soon as things started to improve, he’d relax and make the same mistakes again. This pattern of survival became deeply ingrained in his subconscious. He believed that when he reached survival, he had done enough and didn’t deserve more success. That mindset kept him trapped in a loop, constantly bouncing between failure and survival.
The question became: How do I break out of this cycle?
The answer, he realized, was simple: Our brains know how to succeed. We know how to get out of failure, but we must take action. To break free, we need to stop repeating old behaviors, embrace change, and keep moving forward. Success, he discovered, isn’t a mystery; it’s built on small, consistent actions.
The Seven Rules of Consistency
The author’s journey of personal transformation led him to discover the seven rules of consistency — simple habits that, when practiced consistently, can lead to success in any area of life.
- Show
Up and Start Now
The first step toward success is simply showing up. Stop overthinking and start taking action. Whether it’s jogging or tackling a project, don’t wait for the perfect moment — start now. - Do
It Every Day
Consistency is key. Whatever you’re doing, make it a habit. Set a goal, create a small plan, and commit to doing it every day. After 100 days, you’ll see results — not because of intense effort, but because of the small actions compounded over time. - Work
Positively Every Day
A positive mindset is essential for consistency. Approach every challenge with optimism. A positive attitude not only boosts your energy but also enhances creativity and productivity. - Commit
to Long-Term Hard Work
Success doesn’t happen overnight. Commit to long-term effort. If you work hard for eight hours a day, 50 weeks a year, you’ll accumulate over 2,600 hours of work annually. That’s a lot of time to grow and improve. - Burning
Desire
Desire alone isn’t enough. To stay consistent, you need to turn your desire into a burning passion. This requires unshakable faith and belief in your ability to achieve your goal. Visualize your success until it becomes your reality. - Be
Ready to Pay a Small Price Every Day
The road to success isn’t always easy. There will be days when you feel discouraged or tired. But if you want big results, you must be willing to pay the price every day. Keep going even when things feel tough. - Keep
Your Faith Alive
Finally, consistency requires faith. There will be days when you want to give up or procrastinate. But to achieve anything significant, you must keep your faith alive and continue to push forward, no matter how difficult the journey.
Consistency Is the Key to Success
The author’s journey was one of constant learning and adapting. After following these seven rules of consistency, he became a partner in two successful companies and wrote The Slight Edge, a book that explains how small, consistent habits lead to big changes in life.
At the core of his message is this: Consistency is the secret to success. Anyone can achieve great things as long as they are consistent in their actions, regardless of the situation. Small habits, practiced every day, can lead to remarkable outcomes. You don’t need to be a genius; you just need to be consistent.
In the end, success is not a matter of luck or genius. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and staying consistent over time. The author’s story proves that even when life knocks you down, you can always get back up, as long as you remain committed to your goals and keep pushing forward.
Remember, success isn’t a mystery. It’s a journey of small, consistent steps. So, take action today, and keep moving forward — your future self will thank you.