Seth Godin is leading management thinker and amongst the most popular bloggers in the world.

When asked to explain what does authentic mean, he said that it was all humbug. He said that you can fart in your privacy but you would not do the same in public in the name of being authentic. He then stated that CONSISTENCY is the most important thing that matters.

Jadeja once commented on Kohli as a very boring person. He (Kohli) goes through the same six hours of boring practice every day. He eats the same boring food day in and day out. When asked about his excesses, Kohli once stated that – he had a scoop of ice-cream four years ago. Four years of the same boring food; no wonder he is a world champ.

During my Ayyappa challenge, this was my schedule last year.

• 5:00 AM – 10 km run
• 6:30 AM – Tai-chi & meditation
• 7:30 AM – Temple darshan.
• 8:00 – 10:00 AM – Journaling & reading
• 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Office, classes
• 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Lunch + Rest
• 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Gym
• 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM – Office
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Temple darshan
• 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Reading & meditation

Till the 28^th day (I recorded the transformation each day & posted it on Facebook), things went well. Professor Bhoominathan, a highly regarded gentleman in Trichy called me up & praised my consistency.

I did not have the steadfastness of Kohli. Ego took over. I crossed the Lakshman rekha and indulged on bajjis. Then it was uttapam’s turn for the night.

Next morning, I woke up at seven. My consistency went for a toss. I had to work hard to get back on track. This is what gives me a kick out of the Ayyappa Challenge.

 To enforce my point further, let me share a story:

An old monk would address his students every day. It was the same boring talk. It had the same content. One day, a young, eloquent monk came to the hermitage. His delivery regaled the students. Elated at the response, this pompous young monk asked for a feedback from the senior. The old monk promptly replied that he learnt nothing new. ‘You quoted Bhagvatham & Upanishads well, but what have you done?’

It is easy to quote from scriptures and management tomes. It is easy for gurus to talk about successful marriages. Walk the path. Consistency matters.

Bruce Lee said, ‘I am not afraid of the man who knows ten thousand kicks, I am afraid of the man who has practiced one kick ten thousand times.

Take up the Ayyappa Challenge.

It is the most powerful self development workshop in the world.

What do you think?