How Much Time Do You Spend Derailing Your Progress?

Ever think about that? We often are focused on the time we spend working on something. Working out. Our posture. Eating patterns. Journaling. Thinking positively. And so on.

But what about the *other* time? You know, the time you are NOT doing the above?

I was just rereading a quote from one of the most amazing people I’ve met, Dan John. He is an athletic coach above all others, and truly an amazing human too. In his book, Before You Go, he notes that there are 168 hours in a week. If you work on something for 5 hours, say one hour each day Monday through Friday, you’ve got 163 hours that you’re theoretically not consciously practicing.

The unfortunate reality is that you’ve got 163 hours to completely unwind any progress you might make!

163 vs. 5. The odds aren’t good right?

To fall back into thinking patterns. To slouch at your desk. To eat crappy food. To continue being stimulated by negative people around you. And others.

When you think about your week, how does this resonate with you?

That you’ve got some self improvement goals, like changing your attitude, shifting perspective, healing, eating better, becoming more healthy, but seem to never make progress?

The answer usually is to do it more. But what does that mean exactly?

May I propose a thought process for you? With many of my coaching clients trying to infuse and sustain positive change, we do start with the basic activity and get that going. If you’ve got that down, then the next step is to expand that into other parts of your life and being.

One point of reflection would be to generate awareness of how other parts of your life are taking you two steps back, even as you try to take a step forward. What emerges when you consider this aspect? These become additional areas to examine and see how we could address.

Then comes the emotional aspect. What feelings emerge when you practice the activity? If they are mostly negative, then ask yourself what are the positive feelings? Become aware of those and focus on how good it feels when you practice, and also in times not practicing.

Another interesting avenue of reflection – how can you truly embody this practice all day long? What does that mean to you? What would it take to make this happen? What would have to change within you and your environment?

If you’re working on some positive change in your life, what happens now when you consider your practice, the time you’re not actively practicing, and how to fully make it a part of your life?