How To Beat The Slump Of New Routines

It’s no secret quite a few of the new routines individuals develop tend to get swept under the carpet in the first few months because there’s no clear path to reach their goals. Unrealistic expectations, lofty ideals, and a dedication to continue doing what is comfortable tend to sabotage many who genuinely want to change. How can anyone stand against the tide of sameness and depleted willpower that sweeps us out to sea? There are ways. These small but essential methods can help support anyone seeking a new way of being, a different profession, or any other personal goals and new routines.

Practice Forgiveness And Leniency

Often, when we set goals for ourselves, they require us to venture into unfamiliar territory. This is, after all, one of the aspects of improvement—whether of our physical selves, our careers, or our lives in general. But unfamiliarity often makes setting attainable goals difficult, especially before we begin the work of pursuing them. As we venture forth, challenges manifest. Things are so much more difficult than we imagined, and it’s easy to grow discouraged.

This is the point where individuals usually abandon their initiatives; whether they stop going through the motions or not, their minds are already turning away from those projects. But this is also the point where each of us must practice forgiveness and leniency. It’s vital because otherwise, we’ll avoid the fear or shame of self-disappointment by abandoning our quests. One way to keep pushing forward is to acknowledge to yourself that it’s okay not to be the best at whatever you’re doing. Real progress is not represented by a smooth curve, and there will be setbacks. For instance, overindulging one day isn't the end of a new healthy eating plan, and missing a workout one week isn't the end of the world either. Don't let these setbacks be the end of a new routine. Simply take the setback and get back into the routine. Don't give up!

Uncover another strategy to help get over the slump of a new routine.

Track Your Progress

It may sound silly, but a great way to stay encouraged while pursuing a goal is to track your progress. It should go without saying that even little steps towards a lofty ideal are incredible. They represent a change that did not exist before you made it, and that’s something to be proud of. However, there’s another reason to keep tabs on your journey.

Goals are mental concepts of desired outcomes and your goal intentions—how you plan to attain it—are instructions you give yourself. But what happens between the decision and action to make that decision real? Psychologists have been busy studying this and other aspects of goal-related behavior for decades, and what they discovered is recording progress impacts action. The factors that determine whether the impact is positive or not is how we define progress and how gentle we are with any setbacks or lack of perceived change.

Progress monitoring also benefits from social interaction, which we’ll explore next.

Be Accountable To Someone Else

The buddy system works wonders for goal-oriented behaviors. While accountability has a well-known relationship with the concept of critique, when it comes to attaining goals, it relates to support and encouragement. Human beings are a social species and sharing information or ideas tends to cement them in a group context. To be accountable to someone else entails sharing goals, which makes them more real for everyone.

In short, you are less likely to grow discouraged by a perceived lack of progress and more likely to find inspiration and new ways of approaching your goal if you talk about it and check in with a friend or mentor. Whether you work with a single person or a group, talking about challenges and celebrating incremental achievements helps keep you working towards the larger objective. Differing perspectives can provide the tools you need to reframe your ultimate goal, work around practical issues that arise over time, and refresh your determination during periods when life intervenes, or obstacles present themselves.

Keep reading for more on maintaining new routines past the initial stages.

Adjust Goals As You Go

Often, when we first set goals, there’s an expectation that may not follow when we begin working on those objectives. Along with tracking your progress, talking about your projects with one or more supportive individuals, and allowing yourself the flexibility you need to attain your goal, it’s helpful to adjust goals as you go. This involves assessing needs at each moment, using creative thinking to move through challenges, and understanding limitations of resources, energy, and time.

You may also discover that, while busy attaining a goal with smaller goals and stepping stones, the original mountain you sought to climb isn’t the right one. Don’t fret or throw in the towel. It’s okay for goals to change as you do. Allow both yourself and your objectives in life flexibility to grow. Integrate the lessons you’ve learned, even if your ultimate goal shifts focus. Maybe you realize an end goal wasn't realistic, but a shifted focus makes it so. Don't be ashamed of adjusting so it fits!

Learn about motivation and new routines now.

Find New Sources Of Motivation

The saying that if you desire something you have never had, you must do things you have never done is a bit neat, but the core message remains applicable. No matter what aspect of your life your goals impact, the fundamental truth is it entails personal growth. This often means you must find new sources of motivations and inspiration. The great news is the internet is teeming with awesome concepts, motivational personalities, and opportunities to shift your perspective. Even if your inspiration comes from a conversation at your local market or coffee shop, you have seemingly endless possibilities to explore new ideas and courses of action.

Some ways to strike the right tone of inspiration that will keep you going when things get tough is to read or listen to audiobooks, talk to individuals from different walks of life, and be present in even the most mundane tasks. Look at each moment carefully, and these inspirational perspectives will present themselves.