This is one of the hardest things for me.
It’s never clear when I should stay the course and be consistent or admit that it’s time to make adjustments.
Because those are both good things!
The trick is knowing which one you should be doing.
And that decision requires a deep understanding of your body, mindset, and goals.
Let’s explore this more.
First Step: Define What’s “Not Working”
If you’re thinking of changing things up, step back first.
We often measure ourselves against the vague notion of “I should be doing more.”
But that’s vague and helpful.
Take the time to define what you want to achieve and what success looks like to you.
For example, my current goal is “Doing 20 minutes of any activity when my baby naps in the afternoon.” This goal is straightforward and easy to track.
I can determine if I met my goal each day. No ambiguity or self-doubt.
It’s important that this is a Yes or No goal, so that you can see if it’s “Not Working.”
Things like:
- Walking for 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week.
- Attending a yoga class twice a week.
- Doing a 15-minute bodyweight strength training routine at home 3 times per week.
With goals like these you can clearly state: “Yes, I am getting this done,” or “No, this is not working.”
Find data to prove it
If you suspect things are not going as planned, see if you can back it up with some data.
Most smartphones now have built-in features or downloadable apps that track metrics like steps, calories, sleep, and screen time.
By using this data, you can understand your routine and identify areas for improvement.
I checked my activity numbers from last month and here’s what I saw:
This data supports my intuition that my current routine is not working out. So it might be time to make changes to improve the situation.
I also noticed that I do better on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. That’s interesting, I had not realized that before. (I don’t know what to do with that yet, but it’s there)
Use data to support decision-making and gain insight where you can.
Don’t Force—Figure Out Instead
Since my “exercise during baby’s nap” approach is not working anymore, it’s tempting to just grit my teeth and force myself to workout.
That’s how most of us think.
But it’s not even clear what that means.
It’s tempting to force the issue, to stick with the plan despite the evidence that it’s not yielding the desired results.
Since the data how shown my it’s not working, I can admit that it’s time to find a new approach instead of stubbornly adhering to a failing strategy.
I can explore alternative strategies not dependent on my baby’s schedule.
I could try exercising before she wakes up.
Or maybe after she goes down for the night. (Less likely, as I like to sleep early)
The point is that it’s time to explore new ideas, instead of forcing myself through a routine that is not working.
Approach this with curiosity and experimentation.
Instead of beating myself up for not sticking to my original plan, I can view this as an opportunity to learn and grow.
I can refine my approach by trying new strategies and paying attention to what works and what doesn’t, until I find a routine that fits my circumstances.
Start a new experiment.
Emphasis on experiment.
Don’t try to craft the perfect plan from the start. Overanalyzing and striving for perfection can lead to paralysis and procrastination.
Embrace an experimenter’s mindset. Create a hypothesis for a new routine that you believe will work better for you.
The key is to try.
You’re not committing to this new routine forever. You’re just giving it a test run to collect data on how it works for you.
Start small and see how it feels after a day.
- Have you completed the planned activity?
- How did you feel physically and mentally?
- Was it easier than your previous routine or did unexpected obstacles arise?
Remind yourself that the goal isn’t to find the “perfect” routine, but one that’s realistically sustainable for your current life. It’s okay if it takes a few attempts.