I hear it all the time:
"Well, I had a couple drinks, then I decided I might as well have a few bites of dessert too. I promise-- Next week will I'll be back on track."
or-
"I just couldn't resist the amazing pastries at this bakery we went to for breakfast. So, I figured, I'll just take the day off, and start over tomorrow."
And my all time favorite:
"Since the holidays are here, I'm just not going to stress myself out worrying, and will totally get back on track starting New Years Day."
I call B.S.!!!
In all the years I've been doing health coaching these excuses, these all-or-nothing ideas, land my clients in trouble time and time again.
WHY????????
Why is it that we can't just say, "Okay, that might have not been my best choice, but I'm going to make my next choice be much better" ?
Why is it that one skipped workout or sugar-laden meal throws us completely off course for the rest of the day/week/month/year?
The better tactic is to just take a deep breath, acknowledge we are not perfect (and never will be), and IMMEDIATELY course correct. No beating yourself up. No blaming yourself. Just use it as a quick slap on the wrist and then get right back on target!
Life isn't a simple linear equation. There are going to be setbacks. There are going to be speed bumps. If you are driving to a new destination and make a wrong turn, do you just pull the car over and say, "Darn, guess I'll have to go another day." Uh, no.
If you make a huge mistake at work that ends up costing you a whole weekend to fix, do you just quit your job and get a new one? NO!!!
As this New Year approaches, please, please, please, get rid of the all-or-nothing mentality.
You are a beautiful work in progress!