Dealing With Setbacks

As we’ve been talking about learning new habits of effectiveness it’s as well to bear in mind that when establishing a new routine that requires a behaviour change, quite often there are a number of setbacks along the way.

How you react to these setbacks will ultimately determine the degree to which you adopt effective time management habits.

There are three things to consider when dealing with setbacks and they are:

Lapse…….. Relapse …….. Collapse

A lapse is a slight error or slip; it’s the first instance of backsliding into your former habit. It’s a discreet event like not concentrating on the Top 3 or setting aside time to plan. A Relapse occurs when lapses string together for a continued period of time. A Collapse arises when a relapse becomes permanent, and all hope of getting back into the groove is given up altogether.

While some bounce back and use the slip as a signal to increase their commitment. It is all too often the case for a relapse to cause a negative reaction which festers until the desired behaviour is given-up completely.

There are two ways to manage this. The first is to realise the importance of consistency when establishing any habit and commit to avoid and prevent slips all together. The second is to respond to any slip by immediately returning to the desired behaviour.

For some people, a lapse might cause them to feel as if they have no reason to go on with the habit – or they can start again. But the truth is quite different. It’s important to appreciate this point because it will make habituation easier over the long term.

When you lapse, instead of thinking it’s really not worth going on with the habit because there are too many distractions, challenge yourself to try again, and immediately recommit yourself so your lapse doesn’t turn into a relapse or a collapse?

Obviously you should try …and of course you can.

The point is this – even when you’ve slipped, you are still in control. Only you can decide to get back on track, or, postpone your re-commitment and have your entire effort collapse. The choice is yours.

But try and you’ll be that much closer to becoming a competent business owner and entrepreneur.