Consistency is Key to Staying Disciplined
Have you ever felt like you’re doing all the right things, putting in the effort, staying consistent, and yet… nothing seems to be happening?
Maybe you’ve been working on your health, trying to grow a business, or staying committed to personal growth, but you feel stuck. You start questioning yourself: Is this even working? Am I wasting my time? Should I just give up?
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
The truth is, staying disciplined is one of the hardest things to do when results don’t show up as quickly as you’d like. But that doesn’t mean your progress isn’t happening. In fact, most breakthroughs come right after the point where people are tempted to quit.
In this post, we’re going to talk about how to stay disciplined even when you don’t see results. We’ll dive into a powerful lesson from Atomic Habits, the importance of discipline over motivation, why consistency matters, and what the Bible says about perseverance.
If you’re feeling discouraged, keep reading—you might be closer to your breakthrough than you think.
The 32° Rule: Why Progress Feels Invisible
In Atomic Habits, James Clear shares a concept that completely shifted my perspective on progress.
Imagine you’re in a room that’s 20 degrees, and you want to melt a piece of ice sitting on a table. You turn up the temperature slowly—21°, 22°, 23°… But nothing happens.
At 31 degrees, still nothing.
Then, you hit 32 degrees, and suddenly, everything changes. The ice begins to melt.
This is what happens in life when we’re building discipline. You may be putting in the effort, turning up the heat every day, but the results aren’t visible yet. That doesn’t mean nothing is happening. It means you’re building up to your breakthrough moment.
The problem is, many people quit at 31 degrees—right before things start to shift.
This is why consistency is everything. You MUST know how to stay consistent before you can establish any habit or achieve any goal.
We also have to remember that everyone starts from a different place. Some of us begin at 20 degrees, some at 0 degrees, and others at -30 degrees. Your journey isn’t meant to look like anyone else’s.
It’s easy to compare yourself to others and wonder why their ice is melting while yours isn’t. But you don’t know how long they’ve been turning up the temperature. You don’t know their starting point.
This reminds me of Galatians 6:9, which says:
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Keep going. The breakthrough will come.
My Personal Struggle with Discipline in Weight Loss
I’ve spent 11 years in the wellness space. I am a certified health coach. I know what to do.
Yet, I’ve struggled.
I’ve done all the “right things”—eating well, exercising, making healthy choices. But I’m still not where I want to be.
At times, I’ve felt incredibly frustrated. Why isn’t this working faster? Why do I still feel stuck?
Then, I had to redefine what success looks like. It’s not just about a number on the scale. For me, success is:
- Having energy throughout the day
- Feeling strong and confident in my body
- Being pain-free
- Fitting into clothes comfortably
- Seeing improvements in my blood work
While I may not be at my ultimate goal yet, I can see the progress:
- My chronic back, knee, and ankle pain—gone
- My clothes fit looser
- My health markers are improving
This is why we can’t use the wrong measuring stick for success.
If I only focused on the scale, I’d feel defeated. But when I look at all the real, tangible progress I’ve made, I see that the discipline is working.
I remind myself of Hebrews 12:11:
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Discipline isn’t fun. It’s uncomfortable. But it always produces a reward.
Why Motivation Won’t Keep You Going
One of the biggest misconceptions is that we need motivation to stay disciplined. But that’s completely backward.
Motivation is fleeting. It comes and goes.
Action creates motivation. Not the other way around.
If you’re waiting to “feel like it,” you’ll never start. Discipline means showing up even when you don’t feel like it. That’s where transformation happens.
2 Timothy 1:7 says: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Discipline requires a sound mind—one that takes every thought captive, doesn’t let self-doubt take over, and keeps pushing forward.
My Business Journey & The Struggle of Staying Disciplined
Another area I’ve had to stay disciplined in is building my business.
I’ve started three businesses—photography, wellness, and network marketing, and now coaching. And let me tell you, it has not been easy.
I’ve done the work.
I’ve built the website.
I’ve posted on social media.
Yet, I still don’t have the financial freedom I want.
But here’s what I know: God wastes nothing.
- When I was a photographer, I learned how to find my voice.
- Through my wellness business, I learned how to serve others and work in a team.
- In my 9-5 jobs, I’ve gained skills in marketing, SEO, project management, and customer service.
Every single step has prepared me for where I am today. Even when I couldn’t see it, God was working behind the scenes.
Proverbs 16:3 reminds us: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”
Your work is not in vain. Keep turning up the temperature.
God Wastes Nothing
Here’s the truth: You are not stuck forever.
I know it feels like nothing is changing, but God is preparing you for something greater.
- If you’re trying to lose weight, keep making the healthy choices.
- If you’re growing your business, keep showing up.
- If you’re building better habits, keep doing them every day.
Because one day, you will hit 32 degrees. And everything will shift.
Final Encouragement: Keep Raising the Temperature
If you take anything away from this, let it be this: You are closer to breakthrough than you think.
Keep showing up. Keep taking small, faithful steps. Keep turning up the temperature.
Because one day, the ice will melt. And when it does, you’ll look back and realize—it was all worth it.
What’s one area of your life where you need to stay disciplined, even when you’re not seeing results? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear your story.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Amy Wadlington
Featured Image by Alessio Soggetti on Unsplash
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