Why consistency matters more than you think | Niharikaa Kaur Sodhi | TEDxDFBEDU

Summary

In this motivational talk, the speaker reflects on their personal journey of overcoming obstacles, from struggling with self-esteem due to being overweight to dealing with professional setbacks like being laid off. They share how perseverance, discipline, and consistency helped them transform their life. By starting a business during the pandemic, they learned the importance of showing up, even when progress seems slow. The speaker emphasizes that success is not linear, and the key to personal and professional growth lies in passion, daily effort, and enjoying the process, even when the path is unclear.

Takeaways

• 😀 Personal transformation takes time and perseverance – results don't come instantly.
• 😀 Showing up every day, even when things aren't progressing, is essential for long-term success.
• 😀 Consistency is key: keep working towards your goal, even when it's difficult or seemingly unproductive.
• 😀 Overcoming personal insecurities and challenges, such as weight and self-worth, requires self-discipline and resilience.
• 😀 Setbacks, like being fired from a job, don't define your future. You can bounce back and find new opportunities.
• 😀 Purpose is essential: seek out what makes you feel fulfilled and align your actions with that purpose.
• 😀 Success isn't linear – there will be ups and downs, but the key is to stay focused and keep going.
• 😀 Personal growth often comes from unexpected sources, like hobbies or challenges outside of work.
• 😀 It's important to find joy in the 'boring' daily routines, as they form the foundation of long-term success.
• 😀 Don't wait for the perfect moment – take action now and figure things out along the way.
• 😀 A bold goal can lead to surprising results, and sometimes, taking risks leads to life-changing achievements.

Q & A

What was the speaker's first experience with public speaking?

The speaker's first experience with public speaking was in school in 2013, as a compulsory activity. They were extremely nervous and would sweat profusely, despite wearing four layers of clothing due to the cold weather in their boarding school in the hills.

What significant challenge did the speaker face growing up?

The speaker grew up overweight, which affected their confidence. They struggled with not being good in studies or sports, which led to a feeling of constant inadequacy.

How did the speaker transform their life at age 18?

At age 18, the speaker decided to make a change, losing 25 kilos over two years, despite challenges such as torn ligaments and a difficult workout routine. They developed discipline, consistency, and perseverance along the way.

What three lessons did the speaker learn from their weight loss journey?

The speaker learned three key lessons from their weight loss journey: 1) Discipline, through consistent routines; 2) The power of consistency, as the weight loss process was slow but steady over time; and 3) Perseverance, especially when progress slowed and things didn’t seem to work out.

How did being laid off from their first job impact the speaker?

Being laid off from their first job made the speaker feel inadequate again, leading them to believe they were not good enough. However, they used this setback as a stepping stone to reassess their purpose and career goals.

What were the three changes the speaker wanted to make during the pandemic?

During the pandemic, the speaker wanted to: 1) Find a sense of purpose, 2) Improve their financial independence and quality of life, and 3) Achieve contentment and peace, especially in a world dominated by social media comparisons.

What did the speaker do to reduce the negative effects of social media?

The speaker deleted their influencer Instagram account to avoid feeling inferior and less successful from constant comparisons on social media, which helped them regain a sense of peace.

How did the speaker's freelance writing journey begin?

The speaker started their freelance writing career by sending out a tweet offering writing help for consistency. Over 120 people responded, leading to a group of 40 people from different countries, and this eventually turned into a paid program.

What made the speaker believe they could make their freelance career successful?

The speaker believed that their consistent habits, particularly developed from their fitness journey, would help them succeed in freelancing. They set bold goals, like making three times their corporate salary for three months, which they ultimately achieved.

What is the central message the speaker leaves the audience with?

The speaker encourages the audience to 'show up' consistently and find joy in the mundane tasks. They emphasize that life is too short not to enjoy what you're doing and that taking action now, even without a clear plan, can lead to unexpected success.