Lasting behavior change takes time… and often many mistakes

Some people think that, despite spending years of their life doing something one way with regards to diet and exercise, that change is going to be immediate. But in reality, lasting behavior change takes time…and often many mistakes.

I think that this poem by Portia Nelson is a great representation of how changes in our behavior really occur. I’m sure many will relate.

“I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost… I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes me a long time to get out.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in. It’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault. I get out immediately.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

I walk down another street.”

If you fell in a hole this past weekend, get out. Today you can walk down a different street.