Consistency Is Key: Why You Shouldn't Quit on a Good Thing
- Charles McGill
- Dec 30, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 20

Let me just tell you—one of the biggest mistakes I see entrepreneurs make is abandoning a good idea too soon. We’ve all been there: you launch something, it takes off, and then… things slow down. Instead of figuring out how to tweak and improve what’s already working, we’re tempted to move on to the next shiny idea. But here’s the thing: real success comes from consistency, not constant reinvention.
Think about it: what if Nike stopped making shoes when sales got slow? Or if Apple gave up on computers during a down period? (For context, yes, Apple faced tough times in the 1990s, but instead of giving up, they doubled down on refining their computers, paving the way for their eventual iPhone success. They didn’t quit—they evolved.)
The truth is, some of the biggest brands we admire today didn’t become household names overnight. They spent years—sometimes decades—building, tweaking, and refining their products and services before the masses caught on. The “overnight success” we see is often the result of consistent, high-level effort that happened behind the scenes for years.
When you abandon a working idea at the first sign of slowness, you lose momentum. It’s like planting seeds and then digging them up before they have a chance to grow. Instead of jumping ship, here’s why sticking with your core offer could be the better move:
You’ve Already Built a Foundation: If something is working—serving clients, generating profit, and making an impact—it’s worth improving rather than replacing.
Brand Recognition Takes Time: The more consistent you are, the more trust you build with your audience. Constantly changing direction can confuse people and dilute your brand.
Tweaking > Reinventing: Often, a small adjustment to your offer, marketing, or process can reignite sales and interest. Quitting robs you of the opportunity to make those tweaks.
The Myth of Overnight Success
Let’s squash this idea that everyone becomes a millionaire after their first launch. It’s just not real. Most successful people, brands, and companies spent years building their reputation and perfecting their craft before anyone took notice.
Take Oprah, for example. Before she became a media mogul, she spent years working in local TV markets, learning her craft, and finding her voice. Or think about companies like Spanx, which started with one product and slowly grew into an empire. Their founders didn’t jump from idea to idea—they stuck with what worked and made it better over time.
If you’re sitting on a good idea—something that serves people, makes a profit, and has room to grow—don’t give up. Here’s how to keep pushing forward, even when things get slow:
Evaluate and Adjust: Look at what’s working and what’s not. Do you need to tweak your messaging? Improve your customer experience? Run a new promotion?
Focus on Your Core Offer: Don’t dilute your efforts by trying to launch 10 different things. Master your core offer first, then expand.
Stay Consistent: Show up every day and put in the work. Success is a long game, not a sprint.
The bottom line is this: if you’re doing something that works, serves people, and makes an impact, don’t give up on it. Sure, there will be slow periods, but that’s not a sign to quit—it’s a sign to get creative. Tweak, refine, and keep moving forward.
The next time you’re tempted to start over, think about Nike, Apple, Oprah, or any other brand or person you admire. They didn’t quit—they stayed consistent, made adjustments, and built something the world couldn’t ignore. And you can too.
Let’s stop chasing perfection or the “next big thing” and focus on consistency. That’s where the magic happens.
Comments