It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently – Tony Robbins
As a chef you know all about consistency. In fact, you’re a master at putting together identical plate after plate. Surely, this superpower can be harnessed in other areas of your life too. Looking to achieve a goal? Want to kick a habit? Have a mammoth, overwhelming task that you don’t feel inspired to tackle? There are probably multiple ways to reach your desired end result, but a sustained, consistent effort will get you there for sure.
Let’s take a look at what goes on during service. You repeat the same movements multiple times, pretty soon your muscle memory takes over and those movements become second nature to you. You’re no longer thinking about how to do something, but instead, you’re just doing it. Sure, in the beginning you might falter slightly, but you quickly correct yourself and get back on track.
Getting consistent with a habit or a behaviour you want to adopt is essentially the same game: you show up and perform that action every day, assess how you’re doing and what you could do better, and just keep going. Within a few weeks (they say it takes around 21 days to form a habit) it becomes a part of who you are. If you’re not motivated to work on a big goal, taking small steps everyday will get you to your result.
I want to reiterate that you guys own this already. Put those intrinsic skills that come with being a chef to good use: go after that goal. Kick the habit that doesn’t serve you. Eat the elephant one bite at a time.