As we approach the half way point in January, many people will have broken their new year’s resolutions and will be back to their old ways. They wanted to make positive change in their lives, realised how good it would be if they could follow through and make it happen, but after a well intended start, weakened along the way and broke the new routine. A smoker who’s giving up has one cigarette, a dieter has a blow out night, a gym or practice session or two gets missed – the list goes on. For most resolutions people need to stop or start doing something and do it with consistency to get the results they desire. There is a very small minority who pull off a perfect set of results. Having decided to change behaviours they stick to the new routine and without one mishap, get the results they desire. They have laser beam focus, unwavering resolve and are to be applauded. But they are the minority.
The majority of us slip up from time to time. And here’s where it gets interesting. For many people the slip up is enough to break the resolution or routine and mean they go back to their old ways, missing the pleasure they would get from making positive change in their lives. These folk often end up living lives of quiet frustration.
The rest pick themselves up AND GET BACK TO IT! These people learn from the blip, don’t lose focus on where they’re trying to get to and, unsurprisingly, go on to achieve their goals, greater levels of happiness and fulfilment. They DON’T lead lives of quiet frustration.
It’s like learning to ride a horse. The first thing they tell you to do after a nasty fall is to get back on, to prevent the fear of falling off again from taking over. My mentor once said ‘Great people are like great stocks – it’s not about whether they are down from time to time, it’s how quickly they bounce back’
It’s a new year and there are many new opportunities for us all to change our lives for the better. If you’ve had a blip in your new routine, don’t let it knock you off course. Get back on, bounce back and enjoy the sweet feeling of being in control and making the changes you desire!
