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
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