How To Capitalize On “Failure”

If you’ve tried to make healthy changes before without success, it’s easy to assume that you’ll get the same results this time.

When we label previous attempts as “failures”, we write them off, and lose the opportunity to learn, so we can give it another try using a better approach.

Instead, try thinking of yourself as an “experiment of one”, and think like a scientist about those previous attempts to add healthy habits or lose weight.

Did you know that scientists never talk about failure? In their world, every experience is useful as long as they learn something new.

The trick is to examine each of your prior experiences and think about what worked, what didn’t, and what you learned.

Then, develop new strategies, better suited to you, based on your additional insight.

And as you consider a new program, like WellMin ~ WellBody, compare that program’s approach to what you’ve learned does and doesn’t work for you.

Here are some examples:

If you’re thinking… “I can’t do this.”

It may be true that you can’t do 100% of it right now. But do you actually need to? Consider the possibility that starting small, and making gradual progress, might work really well for you.

Or perhaps you’ve been looking at programs that simply aren’t a good fit for you. Sometimes healthy lifestyle programs treat everyone the same, as if we all have the same priorities and goals. That’s fine – unless your goals are different.

When we work with clients, we always meet them where they’re at – and work together to understand their goals and provide tools and strategies to get them there.

If you’re thinking… “This won’t work.”

If you’ve tried that exact strategy before, you’re right – it probably won’t produce different results this time!

But if you’ve never tried an idea before, don’t rule it out. Our health coaches are especially talented at drawing insights from your prior experiences that help ensure your future success.

If a program didn’t work in the past, what didn’t work? Did it require too much, in too short a time? Did it assume you knew something you didn’t? Were respect or empathy lacking?

Then, turn those problems around.

Ask yourself: what would take less time, or be easier to do at a different time of day? What information would you need to be successsful? What if you didn’t HAVE to eat broccoli?

Finally, look for a healthy lifestyle programs that will build your plan around YOU.

If you’re thinking…  “I don’t see how I’ll ever reach my goal.”

Stop and think about what’s really disappointing you. Are you actually giving yourself all the credit’s that due?

If this is the first time you can ever remember sticking with a physical activity routine for ten straight days, congratulate yourself! Don’t focus on the fact that today’s walk was cut short because it started raining, or you had to get home in time to let the plumber in.

If you spend enough days doing anything, some days will inevitably be better than others.

Close the books on what you did today and head into tomorrow with a fresh outlook. If yesterday wasn’t so good, tomorrow’s almost certain to be better by comparison!

If you’re thinking… “I’m getting nowhere with this.”

Healthy habits often come in waves. Some days, you feel great about your progress. Other days, you feel stuck in neutral. And sometimes, you feel like you’re moving backwards.

Trust the process. Your body and your mind are changing in healthy ways, even when you can’t see it. Your body’s figuring out how to get the energy it needs out of a healthier diet. Your mind is soaking up new information and new ways of doing things. It’s a process that can often seem slow at first, only to be followed by moments of surprising insight.

When in doubt, write down the progress you do see.

If you don’t see progress, write down what you learned.

If you’re still stumped, write down what you did.

You will see evidence that your day was not wasted.

Few of us would doubt, when seeing scaffolding and workers in hard hats, that a building was being erected on the other side of the fence. Have faith in yourself. If you can’t do that alone, our health and wellness coaches are here to help you see yourself differently and start moving towards a happier future.

Sometimes we look so far down the road that we can’t see what’s right in front of us. Sure, you’ll have setbacks and distractions from time to time. Even famous basketball player Michael Jordan missed the basket sometimes. As long as you’re making even small steps toward your healthy living goals, you will reach them.