We humans are such funny creatures. We spend so much time learning how to do things the right way and then often once we learn the right way, we decide to start skipping steps to improve the process, until everything is an utter mess again.
Why do we do this? If we were to apply this line of thinking to other things besides ourselves, we’d have a whole lot of failure.
For instance, when my daughter first learned to bake a cake, she forgot the sugar. The next time, she added the sugar, but accidentally added more salt. It took her three tries until she finally got the recipe just right. What if she had decided to start taking things away once she had perfected it? Like an egg? And then maybe some oil? Before she’d know it, she’d end up with a mix of I don’t know what, but it certainly wouldn’t be a cake.
The same applies to us. Once you find a “recipe” that works for you, don’t alter it. If you are able to work out in the mornings three times a week, why would you start working out at night? If getting your nails done makes you feel better about yourself, why would you stop making time for it? If having lunch with your closest friend every other week made you happy, why would you start scheduling other things during that time?
Life isn’t static by any means. It changes constantly. In fact, the only thing constant about life is change. However, for the most part, our little life “recipes” can be altered gradually to fit in with life’s changes. For instance, if your new job requires you to be at work earlier, get up even earlier so you can still make the gym. If your budget got a little tighter because you had to get your son braces, then learn how to do your nails at home. If your schedule has shifted and you can’t meet with your friend for lunch, try doing dinner.
Gradual changes are the only way to keep being successful. Drastically changing your recipes will set you up for failure and you will give up altogether. Set yourself up for even greater success by being as consistent as possible with your personal recipes. And when life’s changes pop up, face them with an open mind. Oftentimes the slight changes we make to our recipes reenergize ourselves and make us even more committed to our goals.
Live Life,
Bert Oliva