What If Consistency Is Not The Problem?
My People,
What if I told you your struggle with consistency isn’t actually about consistency at all?
That thing you keep calling a “consistency problem” might be something else entirely—something deeper, something more powerful that, if understood, could change everything about how you show up and lead.
Let me take you to Roland Garros in Paris, the gritty cathedral of clay courts where only the toughest survive. This year, 20-year-old Arthur Fils, a proud Haitian French rising star, stepped onto center court. The youngest and highest-ranked French player in the tournament, Arthur wasn’t just playing a match—he was playing for a nation, a dream, and maybe even a legacy.
He stormed through the first two sets. It looked like he was going to cruise to victory.
But then… his opponent woke up. Took the third set. Then the fourth. Suddenly, what seemed like a sure win turned into a war.
The fifth and final set loomed. The crowd was tense. The commentators began to speculate. One said, “If Arthur is going to win this, he has to get consistent—get back to his rhythm, play his game.”
And that’s exactly what he did. He stopped chasing his opponent’s rhythm. He stopped reacting. He returned to his style, his tempo. And in that moment, clay smeared across his legs like blood in a battle, Arthur didn’t just play. He owned the court.
That final set wasn’t about skill—it was about impact within his own rhythm.
And this is where I want to talk to you, leader.
So many of us are trying to be consistent in environments that were never made for our rhythm. We’re exhausted, not because we lack discipline, but because we’re chasing impact in someone else’s zone.
You’re not failing because you can’t keep up. You’re struggling because you haven’t yet defined—or respected—your zone of impact.
Your zone of impact is the sweet spot where your energy, your talent, and your values align in a way that’s repeatable. It's where impact becomes sustainable. You don’t just show up once. You show up again. And again. And again.
But here's what happens to so many leaders:
They push hard, show up big, burn bright—and then burn out.
Just like in tennis, they hit a few shots faster than usual, gain momentum, and then miss easy ones because they’ve emptied the tank chasing someone else’s game.
Here’s the truth: Consistency is not about doing more. It’s about doing what’s yours—more often.
So how do you find your zone of impact?
Start here:
How much can you truly give in a day and still feel whole?
If you can only do three quality meetings a day, do three. Not four. That fourth one might cost you more than you think. Yes, you can dig deep—but you can’t live there.
Honor your pace.
Respect your rhythm.
Own your zone.
And stop comparing your capacity to someone else’s. You might admire someone else’s output, but that doesn’t mean you’re not powerful. You’re just powerful in a different way.
Need a place to begin? Try this: Give yourself a 48-hour response window. Build consistency inside that zone. People will trust your rhythm more when they can predict it. Going from 1-minute replies to 10-day silence is how trust erodes. Consistency isn’t about speed—it’s about rhythm.
And what happens when your zone of impact no longer meets the moment? When the mission demands more?
That’s Part 2… on Thursday.
But for now:
Play your game.
Find your rhythm.
Live in your zone of impact.
Because that is where true consistency—and leadership—begins.
Grow Through It: Coaching Approaches for Everyday Leadership
A free 1-hour interactive coaching clinic for social impact leaders
Tuesday, June 24th | 12:00 PM EST | Via Zoom
What if leadership was about growing your team members—rather than managing them?
Join us for Grow Through It, a 1-hour coaching clinic for social impact leaders who want to lead with more intention, curiosity, and care. This session introduces the Messy Roots Coaching Framework, with an emphasis on our Narrative Coaching Approach—a method grounded in storytelling, deep listening, and cultural humility.
Influenced by the wisdom of leaders like Audre Lorde, this approach centers identity, power, and presence as core leadership capacities. Instead of giving all the answers, you’ll learn to guide powerful questions that help your team grow, build trust, and lead themselves.
You’ll walk away with:
A clear understanding of the difference between managing and coaching
Practical tools to integrate coaching into your daily leadership
Narrative-based strategies to unlock team growth and accountability
A space to reflect and reconnect with your purpose as a leader
This session is free and open to leaders across sectors.
Come ready to explore what it means to grow through the work—not just push through it.
Are you a social impact leader ready to launch your coaching business?
The Messy Roots Coaching Academy is designed to equip you with the tools to become a powerful and effective coach.
Cohort 6 begins July 2nd and offers a virtual, values-driven certification experience focused on healing, equity, and real-world impact.
Program highlights:
Registered Coaching Training Provider
100% Virtual and Accessible
Flexible Payment Options
Centered on Equity and Healing
Small, Supportive Cohort Sizes
Led by Founder and Coaching Facilitator Mario Jovan
Sessions are held Wednesdays, 5:30–7:45 PM EST.
Learn more and apply at: messyroots.org/coachingschool