Levels of being off-track

We all get off-track from time to time. When we set out to reach a long-term goal, it takes consistence and persistence. But even with the best intentions and solid willpower, we will drift off-track from time to time.

While this may be true, the level is not always the same. Sometimes we get completely side-tracked. We end up far from where we needed to be. Sometimes we are a little off-track and only need a slight tweak to get back on track.

Many feel that this isn’t up to us, but it is. It is related to the systems and habits in your life. If you have solid systems and habits, you can drift and still keep moving closer to your goal. An obstacle slows you down but doesn’t knock you from your path.

This is why I encourage the idea of measuring our progress and avoiding the perfectionist mindset. Trying to be perfect often leads to failure. When we can’t meet those lofty standards, we quit. We give up trying to keep up, knowing it is impossible.

If we change from perfect to progress, we can tell when adversity pulled us away from our goal. It doesn’t mean we quit. It doesn’t mean we stopped trying. It simply means we have to make an adjustment.

The key to any long-term goal is consistency and persistence. Do we constantly do what we need to do? Do we stick with it over the long haul?

In order to have those two factors, we have to be flexible enough to adjust when things aren’t going well. We have to be able to make audibles. We don’t have to keep doing what isn’t working. But we need to keep doing something, so we don’t fall back to the starting point.

By focusing on progress, we continue to move forward. We take steps in the right direction. Those steps aren’t perfect, but they get us closer to what we strive for.

I’ve learned that many times when I quit something it is because of perfectionism. I wanted everything to be just right. I wanted everything to be flawless. The long-term goals I failed at reaching, fall into this category. Those I accomplished were much different.

So, if you find yourself struggling to stay on track, slow down and work towards progress. Even if you are making minimal progress, that is better than stopping. It will keep you from having to start over.

The other advantage to the systems and habits approach to improvement is that you build up solid habits to fall back on. I notice times when I am stressed out, I have less willpower. I notice I slide away from my goals. But when I have spent the time and effort to create solid routines, I don’t have to worry about my lack of willpower because I am not relying on willpower.

I can rely on those systems and habits to keep be afloat. If I do something automatically because I have done it hundreds of times before, I don’t think about it. I just do it. If I start getting off-track, I go back to my habits and make sure I am continuing to strengthen them.

Everyone gets off-track from time to time. The key is to make sure that you don’t get too far off-track. Using the systems and habits approach to improvement helps avoid the extreme levels of getting off-track. It keeps us focused on making progress and building solid routines.