How to Get Back on Track As the Summer Comes to an End - Christine Kane

Here’s what a client said last week. (See if it sounds familiar.)

“Man, I was really on a roll with this project before the summer. But then the kids were home all summer, and we had vacation, and then I had to get Brian off to school and I’m just, I don’t know, not motivated anymore”¦”

This “project” of hers is a BIG DEAL. Maybe even something that could be a game-changer for her whole business.  It was her “thing” for the year.

But then”¦

Summer happened.

She “lost momentum.”

And along with it, she thinks she’s lost her passion, too.

She hasn’t.

She’s just bummed she got off track.

And that sucks.  But it happens. To all of us.

The problem with the idea of MOMENTUM is that people use it as yet another way to beat themselves up and then never get started again.

But momentum is not a constant.

Stuff happens. Kids get home from school. Knees get wonky. Hard drives crash. (Um, yes, hello – that would be me in LA two weeks ago.) You get the flu.

Any number of things can kill “momentum.”

But when you use momentum as an excuse to stop, it simply means you’re afraid of dealing with the discomfort of getting started again.

And getting started again is one of the most valuable success skills you can develop. 

That statement is SO important, I’m going to repeat it: 

Getting started again is one of the most valuable success skills you can develop. (Shit, it may even be the only one!)

So, to beat back all of the thoughts that start entering your brain mid-August”¦

“¦and in honor of getting back on track after the gluttony of your outrageous summer :)”¦

“¦Here’s my very own 7-step plan to help you get your groove back”¦

1 – Define the project or thing.

This one’s easy. Don’t overdo it and try to fix everything in your life. Just pick one priority right now.

2 – Schedule a time.

When you schedule an exact time, you will ensure that you don’t put the activity off because you don’t feel like it or because something comes up. It simply becomes just what I do.

3 – Define small action steps.

Our brains need to know what exactly must happen.  This means small tasks. Not big giant ideas like “momentum!”

The idea of MOMENTUM makes us set our sights huge in order to “pick up where we left off.”

Don’t play this game.

The best way to get back on track is to experience completion on a regular basis. And the best way to experience completion on a regular basis is to set your goals small. Sixty-minutes is a perfect starting place. (Sometimes I do only twenty!)

[This idea is the game-changer here.  Just the number of likes on this Instagram post I did tells me everyone needs this!]

4 – Create the space.

Get the space ready before the time comes. For instance, if your “thing” is getting back into a fitness routine, then every night before you go to bed, create the space for your 6am workout. Lay out your clothes, fill up your Sigg bottle, and charge your iPhone.

If it’s a big project, lay out your task list, clear off your desk, close your email programs every night before you stop working so that you’re not distracted when you begin in the morning.

5 – Set a timer.

When a timer is running, you won’t be as tempted to go downstairs to scrub the kitchen sink with a toothbrush, or see if the mail came. A running timer is a mind trick that keeps your butt in the chair and your focus on the task.

6 – Ignore your thoughts ABOUT this task.

Don’t stop to pause and wonder if you really FEEL like doing this today. Cuz you know what? You won’t!

This week one of my new Uplevel Academy clients discovers how simple it is to just take action! An Uplevel Academy client discovers how simple it is to
just take action!

Just walk out the door, or sit down at the desk, or start going through the clutter. Taking action builds the enthusiasm. Not the other way around!

7 – Don’t skip days.

I know. I know. We’re supposed to get weekends off. But if you’re doing small enough chunks of time, then you’ll be able to continue your groove EVEN on the weekends.

Taking a day or two off means having to start all over again on Monday. This is why you start with small chunks of time and small goals. That way, it won’t be hard to keep up your practice – even when you would normally want a day off!

In the meantime, tell me what THING you most need to get back on track with right now – let’s start some support!

29 COMMENTS ADD A COMMENT
  • Suzette

    Your email came right on time. I signed up to volunteer as an instructor with a major not for profit organization several months ago. I completed the online training rather quickly and was very excited. I started preparing for the presentation and realized it was more work that I thought. I completed one module. There are five more. I thought about quitting, but I am not a quitter. Two or three weeks ago, I told them I would be ready to begin presenting by October. I haven’t done anything toward that goal yet. I have a million excuses. It doesn’t help that I received a jury duty summons today that I can’t postpone as I already postponed once before. I plan to start on the project again on Monday, using your seven tips. Wish me luck.

  • Monique Lusse

    I can really tell that I’ve internalized, embodied if you will, that I am a business owner, that I show up, even when life happens.

    This weekend, my beautiful 9 year old kitty boy, Louie, died. It was sudden and unexpected. Turns out he had kidney failure. I am sad. I am heartbroken. I am taking exquisite care of myself AND I am showing up at my desk, doing my warm letters as planned, planning out my week with the Daily Productivity Tracker from Rapid Results (I find it more supportive for me to do this daily instead of just once a week with the Sunday Summit.)

    I’m taking breaks, and naps, and crying as needed. Slept a bit later this morning and going to bed a bit earlier than usual so I get healing sleep.

    What is so wonderful about what I’ve become on this journey as a business owner is that I know that I can hold BOTH. I’m not knocked down by the grief and I’m not burying myself in work.

  • Chelsia Venice Berry

    I need to re-start with fitting a client. Things got off track when I ordered the fabric. It took over a week to arrive. The back and forth of personal fittings, which brings in self doubt. Am I ever going to get good at this? And then I got a “job”. Not what I’m interested in at all. I need the money. In my re-start, I will evaluate the process of what I’ve done with this client in order to improve my next client experience. Today I will check in on her and ask her how she’s doing. That may be the more important thing.

  • Leah Petitti

    I have written my course offer and haven’t composed the emails to get it out there!
    I keep vascillating on price and term.
    Christine gave me advice and I am using it, but still deciding what’s not a splatter.
    I have a very small loyal list, less than 50 and a 150- 200 list of peripheral contacts.
    😬Leah

  • Johanna

    I really need to figure out my fees and start to charge enough from my customers. I often realise that I unconsciously undercharge or overdeliver. Afterwards I feel angry for myself but that”s not enough to make me remember this in the moment with clients. I have business making customers order dresses, wedding gowns and other clothes. I think my prizing problem comes from the fact that I’m always been short of money in my own life. And I love making clothes so I love what I do and dislike talking of money. Any wise advise?

  • Torra Williams

    I can truly relate to your post. I’ve been off track since module two. I left of contacting venues who have reached out to me and I haven’t had the time to sit and respond. The kids are home and I have my kitchen being renovated by Home Depot. It’s said to say I am not happy with the work. I received the wrong cabinets for my kitchen, their electrician drilled holes in my walls and I now need to have pay someone to repair them, and to top it off the Granite top was installed with scortched bleached blotches. So imagine black and white design with gray and white blotches that erased the design. So I ask how do I continue to go through life’s challenges and push to start a new business or even continue a business. I have three singing engagements coming up and school is about to start. I can go on and on. I wake up 530am every morning because i can’t sleep due to worry. So I pray, take a walk, or clean up all the junk that’s crowding my dining area and office. I push everyday to reach my goal of completing this job but set-backs every time. I am not giving up because i know it’s a temporary delay but i am tired and frustrated. As a wait for the completion of the work I tackle other areas one day at a time so when the kitchen is done the other areas are cleaned and ready Thanks for your post.
    Yours truly
    Tired and pushing forward

  • Anni

    Thanks for this Christine,
    I need to pull out my Uplevel binder, review it, and create my next 3 actions steps to get my groove going again! Perhaps set my next coaching times too
    Anni

  • Meg

    For me, I have to be diligent in filling my pipeline with clients. I have a coaching/consulting role and love it – but complete contracts one at a time. So, that means once a contract is over, I’m officially unemployed again. The pipeline of opptys MUST keep brewing…and that take diligence and focus, networking and keeping myself top of mind. Thank you for your 7 steps – they’re making me think a little differently!

  • Karen Hilgefort

    Exactly what I needed to see today, thank you! I have three webinars to complete (and then present) and my brain and stomach keep screaming BUT NOT TODAY! I’m losing sleep now over them. I have over a decade of experience in this field, but I’ve lost my momentum. Instead, I keep myself busy over-thinking, reading yet another book or article, or working another mind map. Wasting precious time “getting ready” … to finally Get. It. Done. The clock is ticking and I have felt like my feet are in drying cement. Thank you for the clarity and support, CK. Grateful.

  • Brenda Rose

    Thanks Christine, I am thinking about getting back into the groove next week as a face coming back from vacation. 20 hrs in the car starting tomorrow morning. I already have some things planned to finish that were started before I left. I have 2 new patients waiting to see me for Care Management consultation, and new things to complete with our new Non-profit. Feeling good about my think time on the drive home. Thanks for the outline, these are the same issues I face and it helped to see it defined and in order.

  • Deborah

    Christine!
    I miss the structure & daily action steps I was recently immersed in for your 60-Day Shred. I discontinued the program for several personal reasons,
    (which I now regret after doing 3 weeks of foundational work that I KNOW was leading me to clariry) I know from experience there is FREEDOM WITHIN STRUCTURE. I am not sure what’s next as the wind is out of my sails at the moment. Just know I appreciate YOu and your team and I will find the next step that fits for me with UPLEVEL xo, Deb

  • Khadija Richards

    I need to send out my vision board workshop invites this weekend

  • Nancy Darling

    Perfect timing for me. I have been ill since early May and unable to work until recently. Better but now well now and with the backlog of things undone and starting from scratch again I am quite overwhelmed. This is helpful. Thanks Christine!

  • Dorothy Husen

    Thanks Christine, I really needed that. Your timing is spot-on!

  • Kathleen Wiley

    Your article is a wonderful reminder of how to gather energies for the next step. Thank you.

  • Cena Block from SaneSpaces.com

    My Kingdom for “Go for Small – Pick 1 thing…” – Ha… repeat after me…
    OVER ACHIEVER… 🙂

  • Kerstin Schroedter

    Dear Christine,
    Today I started with refocusing towards my goals and I just saw your article .The 7 step plan is a great help and support to get momentum back :)) Thank you !!!

  • Jen Uteda

    Thank you for the gentle nudge and all the great insight and tips. The swine flu line made me laugh about loud! You are truly amazing.

  • Frauke Moebius

    Thank you, Christine!

    This is what I needed to hear. To know it’s okay to take small steps and feel completion after doing them. (I’m in the midst of completely refocusing my brand.)
    *brandishes her timer*

    • Ruby Roberts

      Freuke, your comment sounded identical to mine!!!
      I’m at the point in my life that all my focus CAN be on myself and my fur baby SKEETER.
      I live in Brookings Oregon.
      Where are You?
      It’s nice to know that I am like-
      minded with.
      Yesterday I started crocheting a “Moebius Cowl” and today I find you while scrolling ~~~
      I look forward to hearing from you.

  • Sarah Schwab

    This was great! I love the timer idea. I tend to schedule my days, but then start falling immediately behind, primarily because of distractions and lack of focus. Although, I didn’t have the lack of momentum after the summer issue. I was *dying* for the kids to go back to school so I could really dive back into my work and my dream. But these are great discipline techniques, whether you are feeling motivated or not. Thanks!!

  • Rachel

    You are speaking my language! This is what I needed to hear today. Thank you. (You Wild Woman, You!)

  • Stephanie L.

    This is exactly the post I needed. I lost my momentum early in the year after a program launch that didn’t produce any results. And by the end of the summer I was totally off-track, feeling like I had lost my passion for it and thinking it would just be easier to pursue full-time employment again. I realize now that I have been beating myself up for ‘abandoning’ my big goal that I have invested so much time, energy and money in. I have been trying to pick up where I left off (impossible.) So starting this week, I will schedule time to accomplish small tasks every day, get my momentum back, and rediscover my passion. Thanks CK!

    • Helen

      Wow…. you sound exactly like where I am. I haven’t been on track since April and I’m really wanting to start back on my dream. Thanks! I needed to see I’m not alone.

  • Natalie

    Thanks Christine. Great tips that are easy to use 🙂

  • Jeanne

    Oh, do I love this! I’m the queen of the big plan, which of course gets messed up and then I’m a total failure (no matter what I DID get accomplished). So, whenever I get off track, I have a tendency to get WAY off track. This is a great plan to get restarted whenever I need it. Thanks, Christine!

  • Andrea Hiltbrunner

    Christine, you just made me laugh so much- due to the swine flue- because I really had this some years ago! Oink Oink! Anyway- I love your article very much and what I truly appreciate with your work and as your student- that you never ever judge when something gets in our way- like the swine flue, right! BECAUSE we can always choose to get that momentum back – and you are so brilliant in teaching all of this! I love you! Andrea Hiltbrunner