Following The Trail: Part 2
Last week, or in my time-line 30 seconds ago, when I wrote about following the trail, I couldn't help but think about the people that laid down the rock towers. Before I ever set foot here, who was the person to see a giant rock that looked like a whale and decided to try and climb up? And not only did they climb up, but they laid down a path so that they could climb up again.
I wonder how many times they tried some way and had to turn around again. For the person building the path, failure is expected. When there is no set road you have to keep trying so that when you come again you'll have an easier way up. This is exactly what our brain does when we form new habits. It isn't easy, and it's not meant to happen on your first go around.
As much as we wish our first go at our new goal would go flawlessly, the chances of that happening are slim to none. Starting a new business? You won't do everything right. Trying a new workout routine? It is not going to be perfect. Want to pick up a new hobby? Expect it to disappear pretty quickly.
Anytime you start anything new, it's like your first time down the trail. You have no stone towers yet. You have no metal trail sign. There's nothing there to tell your mind and your body what to do. You have to keep walking and keep trying until you build those mental markers.
In habit-building these are sometimes referred to as "triggers." It's a path you build for your mind and body so it knows what to do. It won't have to think about which path to take, it'll see the marker and just know. You just got home from work? It'll know that you are going to pour yourself a glass of seltzer water instead of wine. Watching a movie? It'll know that you're going to cut yourself an apple instead of grabbing buttery popcorn. Frustrated with your employees? You'll know to take that walk before you send that email.
The next time you feel discouraged because the good habits you're trying to form haven't stuck, I want you to remember the trail and remember that you aren’t following one yet. You can't be, because no one else is you. Sure you might be able to buy a map that gets you to the parking lot, but the details are up to you. You're not following a trail, you're building one. It'll take time. You'll try something and have to turn right around and try again. And that's okay. It's part of the process, so stick with it because when you get to the top of that mountain not only will you have a great view, but the foundation will be built to keep coming back.
