How do I do it?

Welcome again to Ndlalane Health Newsletters! We're glad you're joining us on this journey towards a healthier and happier life. My name is Sakhile Ndlalane, but most people call me DocSakhi or SirJari (pronounced as surgery). I wear many academic caps, but here I am the founder and creative director of Ndlalane Health newsletters. Our focus is on clinical healthcare (medicine and diseases), mental health (school and career success, productivity, family, and general topics that can impact our well-being).

Today's article is a spontaneous share - I was thinking about something and thought, "Why not share it with our community?" I hope you find it helpful and informative. Remember to invite your friends and anyone else who might benefit from this information and stay informed. Let's grow together! Our motto is “Be in the know” because I always say, you are too intelligent to remain under the saying that goes “Ignorance is bliss”

I had the most interesting conversation today with an old friend of mine, who called me to compliment my consistency with the article publishing project. He mentioned that he always looks forward to reading what I put out because he's learning a lot about everything. He wondered if I was even human to be thinking about such things! LOL, I said “maybe I'm a functional lunatic who just recently got a new fascination about the world, life, health, and wellness.”

In any case, his main question was around, "How do I remain so consistent?" It wasn't the first time I've heard such a comment being passed about me. The funny thing, however, is the fact that I think I need help to stay focused.

Let me respond to the question here for the benefit of everyone.

I am the most distracted yet productive person you will ever meet and that's why you should listen when I say - I know what helps maintain consistency.

Other than immediate deadlines, what else pushes a person to complete their task? If you do complete that task today, how do you make sure you do it long enough to see the desired results?

The steps are very basic and general. You must have heard motivational speakers here and there about this but you don't give any importance to those things, right? It's not even your fault. Happened to me as well. We all like to think that we are better than others. Even though some of our habits are below average, we don't admit that, do we?

What I have seen from my previous patterns and from observing people around me is that nobody plans. Due to the tendency to believe that we are better than others, we say things like "Sesiyobona khona" (we'll see whatever happens). I used to say this a lot. That's how I spent my entire school and college life. Without any planning. Without any goal. So, trust me when I say, "Konke okwenza manje, kuzok'landela uhluleke ukuk'fihla" (The things you do now cannot be ignored in the future). You need a goal, and you need a plan to achieve that goal.

I can't make things any clearer than this. Don't make a long-term goal if you aren't sure. Just make a goal for today and follow it up with a plan. The plan should be something you can act on right now, immediately. The first three steps should be super easy. That will help you get momentum. Don't ignore the power of momentum, okay? Because when you are in that state, things will happen automatically. If the momentum breaks, it will be difficult to stay consistent because then you will be easily distracted by either external or internal forces.

Get into the habit of goal setting and planning. Even for the smallest of things. That will help build discipline, momentum, and consistency - all in one. Start with the basics because that's what needs repairing. Once the foundation is strong - nothing will ever be too difficult to accomplish because nothing ever is a lot. Even the biggest of things are accomplished by small, consistent efforts.

For example - I have been meditating for a long time now, and you know what? It feels good but it wasn’t always as easy, some days I felt like I’m just wasting my time trying to be something I am not, but look at me now 😊, I know know my Chakras.

Start with a 90-day challenge that will help build consistency. This way, you can show yourself that you can be consistent with proof. Once you are in that momentum, you can add more things to your to-do list.

What you don't have to do is - be vague. Let's say I said, I will write an article today. That's super vague because chances are I will most probably scroll reels for hours. But if I say - I will go to the library, write a 1000-word intro for my research project, then do one past question paper, follow it up with 20 error detection questions, reply to comments on my WhatsApp and newsletter, research about things that interest me, and more… You get the point, right? Chances are - now I will complete all this. Maybe not in the same order, but things will get done.

That's what's important and that's how I try my level best to stay consistent. But I still fail, okay? So these are not some secret magic potions that will make you consistent like a robot. Do you know why? Because you are not a robot. You are a human, and it's very human to get distracted.

In conclusion 😊. Keep trying, don’t ever give up until you have reached a standard which you have set for yourself and your life.

Stay safe and be blessed until we meet again in our next article. Cheers bye for now ✌🏽