How to turn a slip into success!
We are 3 weeks into the New Year. How is it going? I know at this time of the year, some of you might just be identifying what you want to learn and grow in 2015, while some of you started off with a bang and may have had a slip along the way. No matter, where you are or where you started, it is inevitable that along the way, you will slip.
This is what I want you to remember… No matter how bad you think your slip is, it does NOT mean failure.
Slips are normal and they give us an opportunity to course correct, learn, and grow.
5 steps for turning slips into success:
1) What was your trigger before you slipped? I was tired, frustrated, bored, someone put doughnuts on my desk, it was cold and I didn’t want to go to the gym…
2) What was your behavior after the trigger? (your slip)
3) Be accepting and compassionate and start over.
4) Go back in time… now that you know what your trigger is/was what would you do to support yourself better?
When you’re trying to break a habit that doesn’t serve you, instead of thinking about how poorly you have behaved, focus your attention on what you want to do and how you want to feel.
5) Practice, Practice, Practice
When you do something in alignment with your goals or intentions, give yourself credit and feel the joy in this. A simple, “good job” creates motivation for you to continue.
How long does it take to REALLY create a habit that sticks?
Research in neuroscience indicates that it can take several months for the neural circuits to shift and create new habits to rewire in the brain. In the last 10+ years of coaching, teaching, and consulting with organizations, I feel I understand habits and behavior change.
Did you know it takes on average 66 days to create a new habit? Yes, its not 21 days.
Recent research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that while 45% of Americans make resolutions, only 8% are successful in following through and those that do, have lots of support. To create a habit that lasts, it takes practice, consistency, and support.
Additionally, I believe the development of mindfulness is one of the most important first steps to creating change and making it stick. We need to be able to slow down to choose differently and not be on automatic pilot. ​​​​​​​
“Our greatness lies not in our ability to change the world, but in our ability to change ourselves.” Gandhi
With love,
Carley
This article was originally featured on Mindful.org.
