This is part three of this article. Please click here to read part one, or part two.

Previously, in our discussion of consistency, we were reminded that we should be consistent in our attitude and in our accountability. James 3:17 gives us the phrase, “Easy to be entreated.” In our offices, in our daily lives, we need attitudes that consistently say, “Ask me … it’s ok.” In Genesis 24:27 we find Abraham’s servant was, “In the way.” We need to consistently say, “I am here, use me to do whatever.”

Here, we are going to discuss one more area in which I believe we need to be consistent—in our actions. Joshua 1:7, “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest”

The phrase I want to key in on here is, observe to do. There are two parts here—observing and doing.

This speaks of our willingness to observe—to see the need and take the lead.

This speaks of our willingness to do whatever needs to be done.

This speaks of our willingness to do what others will not do.

This speaks of finishing the job, and finishing well.

Does this sound familiar?
"This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anyone could have."

In our work, let’s consistently observe and do in these areas:

Dependability

• Dependability implies selflessness. I’ll be there no matter what.
• If you can’t depend on someone all the time, then you can’t depend on them any of the time.
• To be dependable, you must feel that responsibility equals ownership.
• Someone who is dependable follows through—no matter how tired, distracted, or overwhelmed he or she is.
• Be a person of your word, write things down, then follow through.

Discipline

• Focus on doing the right things, moment to moment, day to day, and then following through with them in a consistent manner.
• Do right things at the right time for the right reasons.
• Exercise the integrity of the moment—Lord, what is the best use of my time right now?—and then do it!
• Be disciplined in your thinking, emotions, and actions.
• Be disciplined to follow through and follow up.
• Did you know that not everyone will respond to your email or voice mail? Have a plan to get what you need even when email doesn’t get you all you need.
• The flip side… do you respond to every email in a timely manner? You should acknowledge every email and voice mail.
• Do you show up for meetings you were invited to a week ago because you have an effective reminder system?

Solution Oriented

• Problems are a matter of perspective. If you believe that something is merely a temporary setback, an interim obstacle, or a solution in the making, then you don’t have a problem.
• Problems are solvable.
• Problems either stop us or stretch us.
• Make it your goal to not present a problem to your team leader without also bringing some possible solutions.
• Ask God to give you ideas.

Competent

• Be capable and qualified to do a good job.
• Doing a job well fosters trust and confidence.
• Never settle for average or “good enough.”
• Pay attention to detail—every time.
• The small stuff does matter.
• Pay attention to spelling and grammar.
• If you don’t have time to do it right, when are you going to have time to do it over?
• We need to balance getting it done right, and getting it done on time.

Tenacious

The world’s most powerful preposition is into.

You've heard the old saying, "You only get out of something what you put into it.

As a professor, I see the truth of this statement every day. Every person on my class roster is "in" school. This means they've registered for courses and have paid their tuition. But the sad fact is that, even though all of them are "in" school, very few of them are "into" school. Most of them are "in" a major, but very few of them are "into" their major. Many of them are "in" clubs, student government, and sports, but very few of them are "into" these activities.

The difference between success and failure in school, or in anything else, is the difference between these two words: in and into. The only way to get the most out of something is to be totally into it.—Rob Gilbert

• Give all you have. It is ok to spend and expend yourself!
• Work with determination. When the conditions become difficult, keep working.
• Quit only when the job is done, not when you are tired. 

Conclusion:

Let’s be consistent in our actions today and tomorrow!