How to Stay Motivated When You Fall off the Wagon

by Karen Elizaga | Posted: November 30th, 2011 | No Comments »

“For me, losing a tennis match isn’t failure, it’s research.” – Billie Jean King

A lot of women – men too – fall off the wagon in their attempt to get to their goals. Some start eating chocolates when they’re trying to limit sugar. Some ditch the gym in favor of coffee with a friend when they’ve made a commitment to regular exercise. Some indulge in one too many cocktails when they’ve sworn off alcohol. Whatever the wagon we fall off of, I’m willing to bet there is some amount of guilt and feeling of utter failure. And ultimately – “why even try? I am destined to be _________.” Failure.

This is why I love this Billie Jean King quote (Susan found it for me). You lose your way to your goal? It’s not the end of the world. It’s not failure. It’s a learning experience. It’s a chance to get to know yourself better – a chance to figure out how you deal with your obstacles.

If you look at your detours as learning experiences, rather than beating yourself up about them (ever been there? I have), then it’s easy to get back on track. No fuss. No muss. No guilt or feelings of being completely defeated to hold you back from getting to your goal.

Think about what you can learn about yourself via your latest diversion. What are the triggers that make you veer off course? What have you done in the past to stay on in the face of those triggers? How do you get back on? Congratulate yourself for being even-keeled about it!