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Showing posts with label Backsliding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Backsliding. Show all posts

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Breaking Bad Habits: Planning for Setbacks

Having a home that is decluttered and organized takes a lot of work. It starts with a vision of what you want your home to look like. And then you need to create a plan on how to get there.

But for a lot of people – it also starts with breaking their “bad habits” (unlearning them) and learning “new habits”. Something as simple as not dropping your coat and backpack on the floor when you walk into your house – and putting it into a designated spot instead.

Once you have decided that you want to make changes to your home and life – people tend to go full speed ahead – usually without a plan – and then come to a grinding halt when things don’t go as fast as they thought they would or they become totally overwhelmed. 

 And then the guilt sets in….

Breaking bad habits can be a challenging and often frustrating process. It can be easy to fall off the wagon and revert to old habits. But it's vital to remember that setbacks are a normal part of the process and can actually be an opportunity for growth and improvement.

Here are several steps you can take to plan for setbacks and get back on track.

Forgive Yourself

It's important to be kind to yourself when you experience a setback. Don't beat yourself up or dwell on the mistake. Instead, recognize that it's a normal part of the process and move on.

Take a Break

Sometimes a setback happens just because you’re overworking yourself. Often you can put things right by going for a walk, or working on something else and coming back to the issue with a clear mind. Planning for frequent breaks will help you minimize the number of setbacks you experience.

Evaluate What Happened

Take some time to reflect on what led to the setback. For example, did you have a particularly stressful day that made it harder to stick to your habits? Did you get caught up in a social situation that made it difficult to resist temptation? Understanding the root cause and triggers surrounding the setback will help you develop strategies to prevent it from happening again.

Set Specific and Achievable Goals

Clear goals keep you focused and motivated as you overcome setbacks. Be sure to set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

Be Flexible and Adaptable

Setbacks are a normal part of life. It’s vitally important to be flexible and adaptable in the face of them. If something isn't working, be willing to adjust your plan and try something new.

Find Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Stress majorly contributes to setbacks, so it's imperative to find healthy ways to manage it. Choose healthy options that are proven to work, like exercise, meditation, or talking to a therapist.

Restart

Don't let a setback discourage or derail your progress entirely. Instead, use it as an opportunity to start fresh. Set a new goal and make a plan to achieve it. Don't worry about how long it will take – just focus on taking small steps in the right direction.

Seek Support

It is helpful to have someone to talk to when trying to break a bad habit. A friend or family member who is supportive and understanding can encourage and help you stay motivated. You can also consider joining a support group or working with a coach or therapist to help you overcome your challenges.

Stay Positive

Getting discouraged during a setback is common, but staying positive and focusing on your progress is important. Remember that change takes time, and it's okay to have setbacks along the way.

Planning for setbacks is an important part of breaking bad habits. You can overcome setbacks and progress towards your goals by forgiving yourself, evaluating what happened, restarting, and seeking support. So don't get discouraged – keep moving forward, and you’ll live a better life through positive habits sooner than you think.


Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
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Monday, June 21, 2010

Backsliding

Once a client makes the decision to start the “organizing process” they have taken the first step towards a more organized life. Most clients don’t really understand that being “organized” is a way of life. For some of us it seems to come naturally. For others it is a learned experience. And for some, it is an unattainable goal.

I tell my clients, over and over again, “being organized is a process….. and once I leave your home after de-cluttering and organizing your space…. it is a process that must be continued and a process that takes time to become your own”.

Some clients get it…..some don’t….

“Backsliding is a client’s regression to a previous disorganized state” (from the NSGCD).

For some organizers and me included it is almost like a failure on our part. We helped the client organize their home….we showed them how…. we explained what we were doing and why…. and still…the next time we visit the client the place is back to the way it was before we got there…or worse.

Some of the things that I have run across were clients that bought everything….except what I told them to buy, postponed appointments, cancelled appointments, the rooms being back in worse shape than when I left, organizing things in a way other than what I told them to….

Organizers don’t always have to “have their own way” ….but they are there for a reason and there is a “method” to what they are doing.

Buying all of the great organizing gadgets that you see at the store….doesn’t make you organized. Only “you” can make yourself organized. So why spend the money?

I try to re-purpose things that the client already has in the home first…..then we might bring in other organizing products. Rushing out to buy products is not the answer.

With backsliding…which is a “normal” client behavior…they might feel bad about how they let the room get back to the “pre-organizer” state…. and then never call you again. It happens to a lot of organizers. But there is no need for the client to be embarrassed. We’ve seen it all….really we have…and as bad as you think your home might be….we’re probably seen worse.

So….don’t beat yourself up over it and jump back into the process.

Backsliding costs you money. By cancelling your appointments and putting them off….you will probably be in a worse state than when you originally called the professional organizer. They will have to spend time getting back to where they left off…and then continuing the organizing process. So instead of spending three hours at your house it will take four or five hours.

Life can get in the way of your “organizing” sessions. Some people tend to think of their organizer as a “luxury” instead of an “investment in themselves”. By having an organized home and life they can save time and money. And they will also feel less stressed and embarrassed by their surroundings.

Less Clutter = Less Stress (SM)

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/