
Now, living in a world that greatly enhances overnight success and instant gratification, it would be completely understandable if one felt disheartened on finding the road ahead long and arduous, with fewer milestones. However, in reality, what it takes to succeed—sustainably, meaningfully—isn’t luck or flashes of brilliance but something much more vital: consistency. The secret to reaching your goals, to living out your potential, is soothingly simple and yet powerfully profound: be consistent, believe in your journey.
The Wisdom of Patience and Persistence
The essence of consistency has its root in the eternal adage: “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Great things take their time to be done, and this is echoed in ancient Indian wisdom. It is said in the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most sacred Indian scriptures, to do the job and not worry about the fruits of our actions. As Lord Krishna says, “You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work.” What this does not mean is that the fruits of your action are irrelevant; the journey truly matters in the path of fulfilment and success: to show up each day, do the work, and persist.
Consider Mahatma Gandhi’s life. For Gandhi, the road to India’s independence was not one single overwhelming great victory but rather decades of steadfast, determined nonviolent resistance. His belief in his path never wavered amidst many challenges and setbacks. He had said, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” What it means is that Gandhi was deeply committed to nonviolence, even when there was a feeling by many persons that his approach was too soft and would bear no fruit. It became a hallmark for the consistency of decisions taken up and belief in the way one chooses.
Universality of Consistency
The importance of consistency is not an Indian lesson, but it’s a fact universally. That is beautifully shown through one international example: the story of Thomas Edison, an American inventor credited with inventing the first commercially viable electric lightbulb. Edison failed several thousand times before achieving his aim and said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” His story is one of overnight success, dogged perspiration, and confidence in his vision. Edison struggled consistently, and one of the greatest inventions in human history was realized; that every upward step, no matter how small, draws us closer to our goal.
Another figure who always highlighted the essence is Nelson Mandela. The fight against apartheid itself in South Africa was one long and laborious journey of Nelson Mandela, which included imprisonment of 27 years. Despite that, Mandela never lost his vision.
He said upon his release, “I learned that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man isn’t he who doesn’t feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” It was through Mandela’s unyielding dedication to justice and equality at immense personal sacrifice that a transformation in a nation finally came about.
The Magic of Small, Consistent Steps
But it doesn’t mean doing everything at once; doing small things every day with intention makes all the difference. A fabulous illustration of this is by an Indian parable about the king and the bird. A king once got a pair of beautiful falcons. He was told that they were the best in the land, but while one falcon soared high into the sky to the delight of the king, the other refused to leave its perch. Having tried absolutely everything, the king called in a farmer who, with one single, simple move, made the bird fly. He merely cut the branch on which the bird was sitting. Sometimes, we are like the second falcon—unwilling to leave our comfort zones. Yet, by taking small steps forward with consistency, even when it’s hard, we can reach great heights.
In modern times, this is what is referred to as the compound effect. Success author Darren Hardy says, “Small, smart choices + consistency + time = radical difference.” Whether it be in health improvement, career building, or in the development of a new skill, it is the tiny, irrelevant actions you perform every day which eventually will bring forth astonishing results.
The Seduction of Quitting: Overcoming Self-Doubt
The biggest defeats on the way to success come with doubt—from others and from oneself. When one is working in succession, especially towards a long-term goal, there comes a time when, from your perspective, progress seems minute or at a standstill. It is then that one must hold on to belief in self and the journey.
Consider the case of Ratan Tata, one of India’s most respected industrialists. When he introduced the ‘Nano’ car, a low-cost car for the Indian masses, many termed it an innovative idea. It had crawled through various setbacks—delayed production, criticism, and market turmoil. Though Nano did not turn out as commercially successful as was perceived, the commitment of Ratan Tata towards innovation and to making a difference in the life of a commoner remained undisputed. He once said, “I don’t believe in taking right decisions. I take decisions and then make them right.” It is such conviction in his values and his way—even when those ways led to failure—that made him a respected figure not only in business but also in leadership.
Trust the Process: Bamboo Tree Analogy
One powerful metaphor that reflects the concept of consistency is the Chinese bamboo tree. Plant a seed. A bamboo seed. Water it, put it in some good soil, give it sunshine—just the way you plant any other seed. Then, nothing seems to happen for several years. You don’t see anything much. But in the fifth year, within a few weeks, that bamboo is over 80 feet tall! In fact, the bamboo tree was growing all the time, developing its root network underground. It is this firm basis that makes such a spurt on the top possible. Not all the time, but many of them, your efforts in life may not yield an immediate result. But that doesn’t mean the process isn’t happening. Just like the roots of the bamboo tree, trust that your relentless effort is creating a base for your future success. Stay patient and believe your time will come.
Conclusion: Keep Going, Stay the Course
But consistency and believing in your path are about more than just the achievement of goals—the whole process can indeed contribute to building resilience, character, and a deeper belief of one’s self. Whether you are drawing inspiration from the stories of Gandhi, Mandela, Edison, or Tata himself, the message is clear: it’s a long road to success, but those who hang on will be rewarded.
As Swami Vivekananda testified, “Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached.” It is not a clarion call but a reminder that the journey goes on and on, and consistency is the sole greatest ally for any person. So just keep going, take one step at a time, and trust that with patience, persistence, and belief in yourself, you’ll eventually reach your destination.
Learn more about how to become a Top Performer at: ORL Leadership Summit 2024.
Dr. Prahlada N.B
MBBS (JJMMC), MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh).
MBA (BITS, Pilani), MHA,
Executive Programme in Strategic Management (IIM, Lucknow)
Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management (IIM, Kozhikode)
Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Leadership and Innovation (MIT, USA)
Advanced Certificate in AI for Digital Health and Imaging Program (IISc, Bengaluru).
Senior Professor and former Head,
Department of ENT-Head & Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Cochlear Implant Surgery.
Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India.
My Vision: I don’t want to be a genius. I want to be a person with a bundle of experience.
My Mission: Help others achieve their life’s objectives in my presence or absence!
My Values: Creating value for others.
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Perfect words for driving one into inertia of action !!
ReplyPrahlada Sir,
Nice success mantra 👌
"Focus on the journey, not the destination."
_Key Principles:_
1. Clarity (Drishti)
2. Perseverance (Sangharsh)
3. Hard Work (Parishram)
4. Detachment (Vairagya)
As Ratan Tata says, "Focus on being useful, and success will follow."
Bhagavad Gita teaches, "You have the right to work, but not to the fruit of work." (Ch 2, V 47)
So as one walks the path of diligence & detachment, success will unfold like a flower, it's beauty & fragrance a testament to one's unwavering dedication.
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