Recently I was inspired by a LinkedIn post by Stephen Bartlett. Steven Bartlett is the host of the “Diary of a CEO” podcast, and is his LinkedIn post he said: “Success has three ingredients: Focus, consistency and discipline. 6 months of these three things can change your life forever.” This message resonates with me, and today I am going to explore this idea and what it means.

Focus

Focus eliminates distractions and increases productivity. When you concentrate on one task at a time, you minimize distractions and complete work more efficiently. Focus prevents multitasking, which can slow progress and lead to mistakes.

I do my best work when I am focused. For example, I will schedule time to work on a software project and during that block of time I will exclusively work on writing software. I don’t stop to check email or browse social media. I stay focused on writing code, and I get much more work done as a result. I can keep my thoughts focused on the software I am developing, and this helps me to make progress in completing my coding task.

Focus also enhances decision-making and problem-solving. A clear and focused mind processes information better, allowing you to make well-informed decisions and solve problems more effectively. Distractions dilute mental energy, whereas focus sharpens your ability to think critically and strategically.

For example, when I write a blog article, I stay focused on researching my topic and deciding what to write on. I also write for at least 30 minutes of focused time where I do nothing but write my article and look up references and other material to use in my articles. Without distractions, my thoughts are focused on my article and I am a better writer when I am focused.

Focus also drives progress toward meaningful goals. Staying focused on priorities ensures that your efforts align with your long-term objectives. Instead of getting sidetracked by less important tasks, focus helps you channel your energy into high-impact activities that bring tangible results.

For example, every week I take steps to work on my Toastmasters projects and my leadership responsibilities. I set weekly objectives that help me focus on these projects, and I move forward with fulfilling my responsibilities and completing my projects as a result.

Consistency

Consistency is about repeating habits over time. You can use this to your advantage by letting positive habits run your life, or you can choose not to improve and let bad habits run your life. Either way, your consistent actions will produce results over time, either positive or negative based on the choices you make in life.

When you embrace consistency in your life, it creates predictable and sustainable progress. Consistently working toward your goals ensures steady improvement over time. Small, repeated efforts compound into significant results, making long-term success more achievable. Darren Hardy even a wrote a book on this called “The Compound Effect”. It is definitely a book I recommend.

Consistency also builds trust and reliability. Whether in personal development, leadership, or teamwork, consistency establishes credibility. When you consistently show up and deliver, others trust you, and you build a reputation for dependability and excellence. This is why I say you need to lead yourself first before you try to lead other people. When you consistently follow through on your goals, actions items, and commitments, it makes you an effective leader of yourself and you can then in turn be a better leader of other people.

Consistency also reduces decision fatigue and strengthens habits. When you establish consistent routines, you eliminate the need to constantly decide when and how to take action. This makes productivity feel more effortless, as daily habits guide you toward success without relying on motivation alone.

Habits that I consistently perform are daily, weekly, and monthly planning. I set my goals for each day, week, and month, and I follow through on taking steps to achieve those goals. This makes me more consistent in following through on my own goals and in honoring my commitments both to myself and to other people.

Discipline

Discipline is about making the right choices, even when there are easier or more tempting choices in front of you. For example, if you scheduled time to work on your book, it can be hard to force yourself to sit down and start writing. This is where discipline comes in. With all of the tempting distractions that can take you away from working on your book, such as watching your favorite TV show or playing video games, discipline will help you ignore those diversions and stick with your goal of working on your book.

Discipline builds consistency and momentum. It ensures that you show up and put in the work, even when motivation fades. By sticking to routines and productive habits, you create momentum that leads to steady progress toward your goals.

Discipline also reduces procrastination and increases efficiency. When you practice discipline, you prioritize tasks and follow through on commitments instead of delaying important work. This minimizes wasted time and enhances your ability to complete tasks efficiently.

Discipline also strengthens resilience and willpower. It helps you stay focused and committed, even in the face of challenges or setbacks. It trains your mind to push through discomfort, making you more adaptable and better equipped to handle obstacles on the path to success.

The more you flex your discipline muscles, the stronger they will get. If you make it a habit of always following through on your commitments, especially the commitments you make to yourself, it will get easier to make the right choices in the future versus making the easier, more tempting choices.

Discipline gets easier over time because of habit formation, mental conditioning, and positive reinforcement. When you repeatedly practice discipline, your actions become habits. Over time, tasks that once required effort become automatic, reducing the mental resistance to doing them.

Like a muscle, discipline strengthens with use. The more you train yourself to stay committed, the easier it becomes to resist distractions and stay focused on your goals. As you see results from disciplined actions, you gain confidence and motivation. Small wins reinforce the habit, making it easier to maintain discipline as you experience the benefits of your consistency.

With time, discipline shifts from being a challenge to a natural part of your routine, making long-term success more achievable.

Conclusion

Success isn’t achieved overnight – it’s built through focus, consistency, and discipline over time. By honing your ability to concentrate on what truly matters, maintaining steady effort even when motivation fades, and committing to disciplined habits, you create unstoppable momentum toward your goals. The next six months can be a turning point in your life if you embrace these three ingredients with intention and perseverance. Stay committed, trust the process, and watch how your dedication transforms your future. The path to success is in your hands – start today!