How Can You Develop Consistency - Part 3

What is the success formula? Scientists and mathematicians have attempted to crack it since the dawn of civilization. While their attempts may not be coming up with a definitive formula, their action of pursuing this goal consistently lead them towards success in their fields. Hence, I want to talk about consistency.

As promised in my last post, I have invited a guest who has inspired my productivity journey to be consistent. And His name is not Neil Armstrong (sorry for misleading you on the cover picture above :). However, his profession allows astronauts like Mr. Armstrong to travel and explore outer space. And he is also a Purdue University Engineering alumni like Neil and myself. (Boilers Up!)

Please let me introduce you to Brett Hoffstadt, a rocket scientist by his brand, a project engineering manager by his trade, and a coach/consultant by his passion.

I come to know Brett not only from our shared Purdue Engineering network, but also his work to inspire young engineers that rocket scientists are not impossible dreams to achieve. In fact, Brett wrote a book and a blog on this topic to get our "dream rockets" off the launching pad towards what we desire to accomplish.

Below I have included more info and links to his work for your reference. But first, let's dive into this interview on his view about consistency and productivity.

"Think like a man of action; Act like a man of thought."
- Henri Bergson

Q&A with Brett Hoffstadt

1. What are your challenges in maintaining consistency at your work/life routines?

My challenges are probably the same as everyone else.  “Stuff” always happens to interrupt or disrupt our plans. Emergencies can appear.  New demands are placed up our time and attention.  It’s important to develop strategies and tactics to maintain the priorities and structures you need.  It’s also important to expect challenges. Then you can design some protection into your day.

2. Is emotion involved in those challenges? 

Sure, there is almost always emotion involved in challenges.  One example is when it means saying “no” to someone’s request in order to honor your priorities and needs.  That can be painful and sensitive.  Emotion can be an important guide for dealing with our challenges, but it shouldn’t be the primary or only tool.  We have a mind that can reason, judge, and predict the consequences of our actions.  It can also “brainstorm” to produce many creative options to problems.  Stepping back from your emotions and using your analytical skills is an important part of the process to gain and maintain consistency.

3. Are there any solutions that you have engineered to overcome those challenges? If so, can you share them with the readers here?

There is some valuable and fascinating research in the area of mental and emotional stamina.  For instance, if a person’s self-discipline or self-restraint is taxed from a stressful job during the day, they will have less ability to keep their food diet when they go home in the evening (or any commitments that require strong self-discipline).  One strategy I have implemented recently is waking up early each day to do my most important and challenging tasks for my personal life.  That includes things like exercise, personal development, and my life goals.  When I am at work, I also write a list of all tasks I need or want to accomplish that day.  Then I tackle the most difficult ones first.  This has become a consistent practice, and I love the results.  It also means I’m very worn out at the end of each day, but it’s a very rewarding kind of tired!

4. Who is/are your inspiration to be consistent in delivering values?

Your question hints on something important—consistency to deliver or act on your values isn’t possible if your values themselves aren’t consistent with each other, and with what your life needs to be successful. Some people have values that are self-destructive, or incompatible with each other. Consistency in either of those cases is either impossible, or actually counterproductive!

Two people I credit and thank most for helping me define values that are success-based and consistent for a happy, productive life are Ayn Rand and Nathaniel Branden.  They each had their own unique contributions, although they were also associated with each other for many years.  One of my favorite quotes on consistency is actually from Branden.

“The world belongs to those who persevere." Nathaniel Branden

Another author (still living) who has been a great inspiration to me is Seth Godin.  Besides the fact that he has blogged daily for over a decade, his messages to be persistent and courageous in pursuit of your goals have inspired me many times.  If anyone is struggling to be more consistent in producing artful work, and then shipping it, I highly recommend reading or listening to Seth.

5. What is your advice to professionals struggling with consistency?

Think about how you can design or structure your environment to help you be consistent.  That means structuring your daily schedule, your work environment, and including your social support system (family, friends, coworkers) to help you. Perhaps the biggest piece of advice is to carve out specific time each day when you turn off all ringers and buzzers so you can focus on your work without distraction. Consistency needs a daily habit.  One day a week might be OK for a break, but every day matters.  Another quote I love from someone anonymous: “Rome wasn’t built in a day. But it was built daily.”  I’m sure they took a few days off, but consistency over time makes a huge impact!

Wow, there are certainly a lot of materials to digest here! My main takeaway on consistency was a complete mindset shift from "should to how". This is something outside of the rational thinking process that engineers endorse. But I believe this is essential if we were to put our plans in actions so our dreams can become reality one day. In another words, our "dream rockets" are not meant to stay on the ground, but to deliver us towards our intended destinations.

In the next series, I want to share a few podcasts that relate success with consistency. So until next time, 3...2...1...let us blast off towards our goals!

About Brett Hoffstadt: Upon graduating from aerospace engineering at Purdue and Penn State Universities, Brett has led an extraordinarily career at major aviation companies such as McDonnell Douglas and Boeing. Brett is also PMP certified with his current role in consulting/coaching. With his involvement and dedication at the AIAA, Brett finds his calling to help STEM professionals so they can have a blast in their careers as well.  Hence, he has created 2 websites for engineers and PMs to enhance their personal and professional development.

How to be a Rocket Scientist - A focus to turn your dream careers into realities

Engineer Your Innovation - A focus to innovate and to engineer your solutions

Cited Authors of Quotes: Neil Armstrong, Henri Bergson, Nathaniel Branden

Image credit is from NASA rocket programs.