When life takes a turn, you don't have to stop. RESOLVE.

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

~Samuel Beckett

When we resolve to do something new, when we dare to take a risk, it rarely, if ever, works out as we imagine.

When unexpected challenges arise when things go “wrong,” and life takes a 'turn,' it’s tempting to tell ourselves that we’ve failed; that we should stick to what we know. That we should just play it safe and leave dream-following to those who have what it takes. That it will just be too hard to continue. That we were wrong to even have tried.

Don’t do it; don’t let the negative thoughts and self-doubt bring you down. Instead, consider the following questions to keep you focused on your resolve and going in the right direction.

What have you learned from the experience?

Consider this: If you had never tried, you would have never learned…. You fill in the blank. Perhaps that you were not ready. Maybe that you burn out too quickly because you go to hard. Was the setting all wrong for your resolve?

I’ve learned that taking a big risk isn’t always that risky after all. It can be far simpler that we make the idea. Have you found out that it wasn’t as exciting as you imagined? That it was really pretty mundane and boring? Very rarely do the calamities we imagine happening come true.

That’s a magnificent thing to have learned.

What have you achieved?

It can be all too tempting to focus on the things you haven’t done but try instead to focus on what you did manage to do.

Even doing something with consistency for a few days might have been monumental for you. You proved to yourself you could do it, even if it didn’t last.

Even your “failures” can be achievements, as when you know what doesn’t work for you, you’re one step closer to finding out what does. Evaluate your achievement periods, and implement the wins in your daily life - long term.

How have you changed?

Use the negative as a positive. Sometimes, a healthy dose of what you don’t want can help remind you of what you do want and where you want to go. Before you begin again, remember well how you feel RIGHT NOW. Even that small period that you were able to maintain your resolve changed you. And the following period of time changed you too.  Once you’ve taken the first step toward your resolve, there really is only one direction to go in. Keep your eye on the goal and use any step you take backward as a tool for moving forward.

Step back if needed.

Stop and consider where you want to go.

Go forward.

Believe that nothing can stop you - this time.

Cheers.