It is less and less hard to stop these days.
Unless we are referring to eating, drinking, drugs, or sexual behavior, which I am not, you can quit pretty much anything if you really want to and we are making it easier to shimmy out of commitments than a form-fitting cocktail dress after a Christmas party.
I have noticed that there are a few things that keep me and others like me coming back to a project.
1. accountability
Whether having a coach or “public” accountability on social media. Having someone there to check in with consistently, is key.
2. an end date
It can be the date of the marathon, your sister’s wedding, or the 100th day, but this can be helpful in zeroing in on the target date.
3. preparation
It’s going to suck especially in between the launch and the home stretch. That tricky bit of road takes turns and bumps and so planning for the unexpected—making it easier for you to stay on track by keeping the tools you need handy or inspiration at the ready can make keeping pace more manageable.
4. self-love
If you miss a day or fall off track, don’t say hateful things or ‘punish’ yourself. Wallow for a minute if you must and then get back to where you were going. If you get lost while walking to your doctor’s appointment, you don’t just go home. You figure it out, break out the GPS, make a phone call and get back en route.
What has worked for you in keeping something going you’re not yet ready to quit?