How to Win by Losing

With the kindest voice,

Observe your limitations,

Without the need to break,

Your own concentration.

No need to berate,

You already know it’s hard.

But focus on the solution,

And try until its found.

Usually people set a goal and have an expectation that it will be a straight up arrow toward the target. That they will lift heavier every week, lose weight every week, stick to a nutrition program every day. They can be hard on themselves when they have the first miss step of a goal. This can set up an environment to see it in a negative way and have evidence against themselves of why it won’t work. The idea that it should be perfect is actually what often causes people to stay off track, instead of just moving on. With practice, this energy can be redirected to focus on just continuing, getting back on track, or finding solutions. What is more common is that it is a general up and down, trending upwards toward the goal, unless you quit.

So, with the kindest voice review your progress. Talk yourself through it, in a way that is motivating to you. Observe the challenge. If something is a continued pattern you can brainstorm your options. Really strategize a way to be successful and set up your day for it. Regularly give yourself a nonfood reward for your consistency. If you stay motivated, you will keep going, and you create the environment to win.

You can be kind to yourself and still hold yourself accountable.

You can’t strategize and observe with curiosity if you are living in guilt and regret. Move into, ‘What is it teaching you?’ Consider that it is helping you practice growth mindset. It is not perfect. It is a new story.