This was needed. I am memorising the Holy Quran. And I have always been keen to track the streaks. And every single month i fall. But I was harsh on myself and continues to punish myself with the 'dont break the chain, do it anyway'.
This week, I shared my concern over my falling off to my mentor. And he told me to come back quickly. And that it's okay and normal to fall back but come back.
I was just going through substack notes and I saw one about this thing, and saw your article in the comments. Came right away and done reading. And feels a lot better. Got comfort. Thank you, May God bless you
I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that, as I read this, I felt that prickle in your nose and burning in your eyes right before you start to cry.
I’ve been struggling so much with my physical health the last few years. I went from being a competitive bodybuilder to struggling to get out of bed because of MECFS and migraine disorder.
And it’s so easy to look at all the ‘streaks’ I break while I’m trying to get back on track with my health and my career. It’s easy to overlook the fact that, even after 8 years of being sick, I still come back and I still show up. It’s not what it used to look like, but the habit and the desire is there.
So thank you for reframing it, and, if you don’t mind, I’d love to write* a podcast episode about this piece and some of my reflections surrounding it.
I hear you and can't begin to imagine how hard some days might be for you because of MECFS.
When I wrote this I did it as a sort of a 'pat in the back' to myself, you know?
A sort of 'hey, it's okay, don't focus on the streaks but whether you stay in the path'.
Life always has ups and downs and I think realizing that the motivation shouldn't be on streaks but reducing the time we take to return to our baseline is life changing.
8 years of showing up and coming back is a massive feat! Let this reflection be an invitation to reframe your journey and keep coming back! You got this 🔥.
And absolutely, it would be an honor to have this featured in your podcast. Please let me know if you need anything else from me.
I like to call myself a recovering anxious person, so back in time I'd ruminate heavily on how I failed and how I suck.
Now I have learned to be kinder to myself, and I think more in terms of the future. That way I align with my purpose rather with identifying myself with the failure.
To be more practical, now I:
- Try to understand why I failed. Not to judge but to learn. For this I use the 5 whys technique. I wrote about this in [1].
- When I tend to ruminate, I try to apply some of the techniques in [2].
- I learned too, that sometimes when I failed and procrastinate to come back is because I fail to accept the consequences I created myself. The best way to deal with it is to have a "Shoot the arrow" mindset [3]. Once the arrow is shot, it's out of your control. The only thing in your control is what you do next, and more than often that next is to come back and keep grinding.
This is the first time I’ve heard of the idea of “comeback speed,” and it’s both intimidating and encouraging. It gave me a whole new way to measure progress—one that helps me realign without the guilt. I’m personally in a moment of feeling like I’ve fallen off, and your article really resonated. It reminded me that I can get back on track. Thank you!
I’ve been there too — those down moments can feel heavy, and guilt sometimes disguises itself as helpful.
But when we practice self-compassion, we tap into the kind of motivation that helps us keep coming back, again and again, until we get where we’re going.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Let’s keep spreading the word — and thank you again for sharing this.
This is one of the rare times when I read something that genuinely helps create a new mental model in my mind. This is something that I think I will remember for a long time. I don't make a habit of this type of praise but I found this genuinely perspective shifting. Thank you.
I’m so glad this resonated and helped you see things differently. Reframing progress has been a game changer for me, and I’m confident it can be for you too — whether now or down the road.
Truly grateful you took the time to read and share. You have my full appreciation.
This was needed. I am memorising the Holy Quran. And I have always been keen to track the streaks. And every single month i fall. But I was harsh on myself and continues to punish myself with the 'dont break the chain, do it anyway'.
This week, I shared my concern over my falling off to my mentor. And he told me to come back quickly. And that it's okay and normal to fall back but come back.
I was just going through substack notes and I saw one about this thing, and saw your article in the comments. Came right away and done reading. And feels a lot better. Got comfort. Thank you, May God bless you
Hi Amal, I'm glad that this was transformative to you.
And yes, it's okay to fall. We all do.
What not everybody does, and what puts you ahead of the majority is when you come back.
Thank you for your kind words🙏
This is exactly right! The whole thing!! Loved this story.
Thank you so much for the kind words, let's keep spreading the word!
I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that, as I read this, I felt that prickle in your nose and burning in your eyes right before you start to cry.
I’ve been struggling so much with my physical health the last few years. I went from being a competitive bodybuilder to struggling to get out of bed because of MECFS and migraine disorder.
And it’s so easy to look at all the ‘streaks’ I break while I’m trying to get back on track with my health and my career. It’s easy to overlook the fact that, even after 8 years of being sick, I still come back and I still show up. It’s not what it used to look like, but the habit and the desire is there.
So thank you for reframing it, and, if you don’t mind, I’d love to write* a podcast episode about this piece and some of my reflections surrounding it.
Mahsi!
Oh! Thank you for the kind words.
I hear you and can't begin to imagine how hard some days might be for you because of MECFS.
When I wrote this I did it as a sort of a 'pat in the back' to myself, you know?
A sort of 'hey, it's okay, don't focus on the streaks but whether you stay in the path'.
Life always has ups and downs and I think realizing that the motivation shouldn't be on streaks but reducing the time we take to return to our baseline is life changing.
8 years of showing up and coming back is a massive feat! Let this reflection be an invitation to reframe your journey and keep coming back! You got this 🔥.
And absolutely, it would be an honor to have this featured in your podcast. Please let me know if you need anything else from me.
All the best!
Incredible, thank you so much! Thank you for the kind mindset shift!
It's a great strength: comebackability!
Absolutely, that's how we can make a difference!
Love the reframe to 'measure the comeback', Camilo. Great mind shift 👏👏👏
Thank you so much, Tamy. I appreciate the kind words 🙏🙏
I really like the idea of working on a 'comeback speed'.
What's worked best for you to help you get *back on track* with your goals?
I like to call myself a recovering anxious person, so back in time I'd ruminate heavily on how I failed and how I suck.
Now I have learned to be kinder to myself, and I think more in terms of the future. That way I align with my purpose rather with identifying myself with the failure.
To be more practical, now I:
- Try to understand why I failed. Not to judge but to learn. For this I use the 5 whys technique. I wrote about this in [1].
- When I tend to ruminate, I try to apply some of the techniques in [2].
- I learned too, that sometimes when I failed and procrastinate to come back is because I fail to accept the consequences I created myself. The best way to deal with it is to have a "Shoot the arrow" mindset [3]. Once the arrow is shot, it's out of your control. The only thing in your control is what you do next, and more than often that next is to come back and keep grinding.
I loved your question! Thanks for chiming in!
[1] https://open.substack.com/pub/cizambra/p/struggling-to-stay-disciplined-this?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=dnz82
[2] https://open.substack.com/pub/cizambra/p/the-clock-keeps-ticking?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=dnz82
[3] https://open.substack.com/pub/cizambra/p/shoot-the-arrow?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=dnz82
Well said, it's about trending in the right direction for the long-term. Comeback speed is a helpful way to keep the right perspective.
Exactly! As long as we keep moving in the right direction there will always be progress.
Thanks for your comment 🙂
This is the first time I’ve heard of the idea of “comeback speed,” and it’s both intimidating and encouraging. It gave me a whole new way to measure progress—one that helps me realign without the guilt. I’m personally in a moment of feeling like I’ve fallen off, and your article really resonated. It reminded me that I can get back on track. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind words, Jenny.
I’ve been there too — those down moments can feel heavy, and guilt sometimes disguises itself as helpful.
But when we practice self-compassion, we tap into the kind of motivation that helps us keep coming back, again and again, until we get where we’re going.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Let’s keep spreading the word — and thank you again for sharing this.
This is one of the rare times when I read something that genuinely helps create a new mental model in my mind. This is something that I think I will remember for a long time. I don't make a habit of this type of praise but I found this genuinely perspective shifting. Thank you.
Wow, your words really moved me — thank you.
I’m so glad this resonated and helped you see things differently. Reframing progress has been a game changer for me, and I’m confident it can be for you too — whether now or down the road.
Truly grateful you took the time to read and share. You have my full appreciation.