12 Comments
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Dinah's avatar

This is exactly right! The whole thing!! Loved this story.

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Camilo Zambrano's avatar

Thank you so much for the kind words, let's keep spreading the word!

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Tamy Faierman M.D.'s avatar

Love the reframe to 'measure the comeback', Camilo. Great mind shift 👏👏👏

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Camilo Zambrano's avatar

Thank you so much, Tamy. I appreciate the kind words 🙏🙏

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Katherine Silk's avatar

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?

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Camilo Zambrano's avatar

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

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Leo Rule's avatar

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.

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Camilo Zambrano's avatar

Exactly! As long as we keep moving in the right direction there will always be progress.

Thanks for your comment 🙂

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Dr. Jenny Ouyang's avatar

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!

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Camilo Zambrano's avatar

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.

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The Effective Project Manager's avatar

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.

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Camilo Zambrano's avatar

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.

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