I figured that today would be a good day to write this article, since it is a topic that is affecting me as I type. I have been “slipping” a bit in my goals over the past few days, and am ready to get myself back into the swing of things. I decided to write this article to share some of my favorite methods of getting back in the game.

1. Don’t get upset - just fix it: I admit…it’s upsetting to slip when you’ve been working so hard to keep up with your goals. But there’s a difference between those who find success and those who don’t; you only find success when you overcome the failures along the way. Just a little piece of advice for you here: everyone slips up! It’s human nature…we’re not perfect. Not even close! So don’t let it get you down when you fall off for a few days here and there. Just recognize that you’ve slipped, and resolve to get yourself back on track. I promise, you’ll be able to get back into your routine in no time.

2. Start a journal: OK, well maybe not a full-out “diary” type of journal, but you should at least be recording the actions you take each day on your way to your goal(s). If you haven’t started already, start it now. Just write a quick blurb about what you did today - there are no rules here! This will help you to see your progress on paper, and give you motivation to keep moving forward. If you’ve slipped, be sure you’re truthful in your journal. Make a note that you’ve been “on vacation” for the last week or so, but that you understand that you need to get back in line and work harder! Once you’ve reached your goal, it’ll be a great feeling to look back at those days you “slipped”, only to get up and keep moving forward!

3. Tell someone else about your goals: If you tell somebody else about your goal, you now have a WITNESS. That is, it’s no longer just a “secret” of yours! You now will have someone else who knows about your goal. If you tell more people, that’s MORE people who know what you’re trying to accomplish. For many, this can be just the motivation they need - to be sure that they don’t embarrass themselves in front of their loved ones, if they never reached the goal they set out for! It gives you more accountability - more than just to yourself, but to others as well!

4. Don’t Break the Chain! - Jerry Seinfeld has been credited for this one. Check it out, set up your calendar, and don’t break that chain!

5. Learn from your mistakes: Be honest with yourself. WHY did you slip up in the first place? What was it that stood in your way?? How can you avoid that same mistake again next time? Remember…failure is a GOOD thing, when you learn from it. Failure is only bad when it’s chronic failure. Until then, it’s just a learning experience. Keep this in mind, and every “slip up” instantly becomes a “lesson” instead of defeat!

(photo source: ollily)