Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

The Case for Consistency: One Step at a Time

By Charles Smitherman

When people ask how to run a marathon, an Ironman triathlon, or even just start a new workout routine, my answer is simple: one step at a time. It’s that easy – and that hard. Everything else is just a matter of consistency and enduring.

Consistency is the quiet champion of success. Unlike publicly announcing goals, crossing a finish line at a race, or emotional moments of grit, consistency neither demands attention nor is often noticed. It’s not flashy, often taking place literally and figuratively in the dark when no one is looking. It’s actually rather boring at times – an essential and unappreciated characteristic of endurance athletes is a high capacity for boredom.

But it’s the daily choice to move forward – one small step, one workout, one better decision at a time. If finding your “why” helps you push through the tough moments, and commitment devices help keep you honest by bringing your goals to light, then consistency is what actually gets you there.

In a world obsessed with fast, immediate results, this can feel like a letdown. However, the truth is that whether you’re training for an Ironman, trying to maintain a healthy diet, or simply aiming to walk more this month than last, progress is the result of regular, repeated effort… over and over again. It’s waking up early and going out for that run or workout even when you’re tired or it’s cold. It’s the 10-minute walk that doesn’t feel like much at the time. It’s logging a workout when you’re not interested, sore, or not in the mood. These moments accumulate and yield significant results.

Just me, my shadow, and my walking stick during the Everest Challenge – surprisingly, no one wanted to join me!

I’ve written before about the power of Kaizen – the impact of making small, continuous improvements over time. Consistency is where Kaizen lives. Last April, I signed up for an Everest Challenge – a 29,032-foot vertical ascent, which mirrors the height of Mount Everest. This challenge is completed by running, hiking, or crawling over 30 days, totaling roughly 58,070 steps or 3,871 flights of stairs. My approach was to break the total down into smaller, manageable segments, alongside the recovery necessitated from running the descents – 29,032 feet is a staggering number, but 968 feet per day for 30 days is much more manageable.

Whatever your goal or ambition, you don’t need to climb the mountain today – you just need to take the next step. Do that enough days in a row, and suddenly the summit isn’t so far away.

One of my favorite mindset expressions is “the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” But the less quoted truth is that it also continues with the second, the tenth, and the 347th step. There are days when those steps are easy, and days when every single one feels like a grind. The key is to keep moving. Or as the profound recorded voice you hear at airports when exiting through the security doors says – “Don’t stop, please move forward.”

So, if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin – start small, and just do it often. Build a streak, not a sprint. Whether it’s waking up early for a morning workout, walking after dinner, choosing water over soda, or squeezing in a short strength session between meetings, those small steps eventually become habits, and the results stack up. One day becomes two. Two becomes a week. A week becomes a lifestyle.

Consistency will not win you medals or recognition on its own, but it’s the foundation that makes every goal achievable. One step at a time.

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Mike Lewis

Mike Lewis is a Premier Rental Purchase franchisee with multiple stores and currently serves as Vice President of Operations. With 33 years of experience in the rent-to-own industry, he has spent the past 20 years working closely with franchisee owners and previously spent 12 years in Corporate RTO, gaining a strong foundation in the business.

For the past five years, Mike has been sharing his knowledge by teaching managers and franchisees at the company’s Training Center.

Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, kids, and grandkids, and appreciates the simple things in life – especially riding his Harley Davidson with the sun on his face. If you know, you know!

Lauren Talicska

Arona Corporation dba Arona Home Essentials

Lauren Talicska is an experienced multi-channel marketing specialist and the Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Arona Home Essentials. She has found her home in the RTO community, supporting stores in branding, growth, and increasing traffic.

You may recognize Lauren as a former RTO vendor, including her time as a partner for Nationwide RentDirect, or her previous participation in the APRO Vendor Advisory Committee. Lauren calls Columbus, Ohio, home and spends her workday crafting and executing marketing promotions from inception to realization, all while supporting the branding and social media needs of all the Arona stores in 12 states (plus Puerto Rico!).

Charles Smitherman

APRO

Charles Smitherman, JD, PhD, CAE, became CEO of APRO in 2023, bringing years of legal and executive experience in the rent-to-own industry. 

Prior to joining the association, Charles served as COO, General Counsel, and Vice President of PTS Financial Services, where he played an active role in the rent-to-own industry by representing his company through PTS’s club program offering with APRO member dealers. Charles is an attorney with two decades of experience across a wide variety of areas, including RTO, consumer financial services, antitrust, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, franchise law, and privacy law. Following law school at the University of Georgia, Charles earned a Master of Legal Studies and PhD in Law from the University of Oxford in England.

Charles is credentialed as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) with the American Society of Association Executives, a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) with the International Franchise Association, and a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals. As APRO’s sixth CEO in its 45-year history, he brings a collaborative, member-focused approach to association leadership, emphasizing transparency, advocacy, and value creation. Outside of work, Charles is an active ultra runner and open water swimmer.

Mike Kays

Ashley Furniture Industries

As VP of Rental Sales for Ashley Furniture Industries, Mike thrives on building relationships with our RTO industry veterans, and helping businesses grow through new product, new marketing, and new supply chain options.

Mike works to leverage a wide breadth of relationships and influence, intimate knowledge of market trends, and unique knowledge of what RTO dealers need from a supplier to be successful.

The saying goes that a high tide raises all boats, and our goal is to leverage the world’s largest furniture manufacturer to drive the continued growth of the RTO industry and all the suppliers.

Mike Tissot

Countryside Rentals Inc., dba Rent-2-Own

Mike grew up in the rent-to-own industry under the guidance of his father, former APRO President and RTO legend Darrell Tissot. For nearly 25 years, Mike’s innovative leadership has helped expand the family business to more than 40 stores across Ohio and Kentucky while also shaping the industry as a whole.

He has served as President of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association, an APRO board member and Treasurer, and President and Treasurer of the TRIB Group. His contributions have earned him the APRO President’s Award of Excellence and the title of APRO Rental Dealer of the Year.

Outside of RTO, Mike enjoys time at the lake house or in Orange Beach, Alabama, with his girlfriend, Angela Strong McCool. A passionate Cincinnati Reds fan, he rarely misses a game, whether watching or listening alongside his parents. He also takes every opportunity to visit Arizona, where his daughter is currently attending Arizona State University.