Dear onions readers,
Usually, I use my own metaphors, but this time I borrow one from Tony Robbins because it explains something I’ve learned better than anything else.
Imagine two arrows launched from the exact same point, but with a very small difference in direction.
At the beginning, the difference is almost invisible. But over time, that tiny angle becomes everything.
This is how life changes work.
The story of Alice and Beth
Two people start a diet on the same day.
Alice is motivated by how she looks compared to others.
Beth is motivated by how she wants to feel in her own body.
At first, they do the same things. Same actions. Same starting point.
But Alice relies on motivation and external pressure.
Beth accepts that some days will feel difficult, and decides in advance not to negotiate with those moments.
One is trying to stay consistent.
The other is trying to stay aligned.
And that small difference in direction is enough for their paths to slowly diverge.
And over time, the gap is no longer visible in effort, only in direction.
Until one day, they are no longer standing anywhere close to the same place.
We all have been both Alice and Beth in our life.
How to build a routine that moves you toward your goal
To stay consistent over time, three elements matter:
1. Define your “why”
Everything starts with your why.
The key to lasting change is not intensity, it is meaning.
The first difference between Alice and Beth was not the action, but the reason behind it.
Your “why” is the initial direction of your arrow.
It must be clear, honest, and meaningful to you , not to others.
When your direction is right, something shifts internally: more clarity, more courage, more stability in the face of difficulty.
It doesn’t remove obstacles. It changes how you relate to them. Don’t belive me, try it!
2. Build a routine that works for you
Once the direction is clear, progress comes from daily steps.
There is no universal system.
Some people need structure. Others need flexibility first.
A perfect system you abandon is useless.
A simple system you follow consistently changes everything.
A practical way to start:
- Write your main goals for the next 6 months;
- Break them into small daily actions;
- Schedule them into your days in advance.
If you don’t use an agenda, draw your week on a sheet of paper.
Place your fixed commitments (work, family, obligations), then fill the remaining space with small actions aligned with your goals. If there is no space, mange to find it.
The goal is not complexity. The goal is consistency.
3. Protect your direction
At some point, your mind will start negotiating:
- “Maybe this isn’t working.”
- “Maybe I should stop.”
- “Skipping today doesn’t matter.”
This is normal.
But direction matters more than mood.
Adjust your routine when needed, but don’t abandon the direction.
You will become better over time at managing your system and your energy. Be patient with yourself. Adjust, refine, and continue.
Consistency doesn’t mean rigidity, it means staying aligned.