Viewing Backwards in Behavior Change is Necessary for Growth
When it comes to behavior change, especially in the realm of health and wellness, many people get discouraged by setbacks, feeling like they’ve “failed” or fallen backward. However, what if we viewed these backward steps not as failures, instead as critical learning experiences? What if moving backwards is not only natural, it's necessary for long-term progress?The “Not Yet” Mindset
In behavior change, especially when tackling something like sugar cravings or adopting healthier habits, setbacks are part of the journey. Instead of labeling these moments as failures, consider them part of the “not yet” phase. This concept suggests that you haven’t failed — you just haven’t succeeded yet. Every time you stumble, you’re gaining valuable insights about yourself, your triggers, and what strategies work (or don’t work) in real life. These insights are essential for growth and should be celebrated as learning opportunities rather than seen as evidence of defeat.
The Power of Backwards: Learning Through Setbacks
Think about your car. What if it could only go forward? That would be pretty limiting, right? Imagine driving along, and you reach a dead end — without the ability to reverse, you’d be stuck. In the same way, in behavior change, setbacks or moments when you seem to “go backward” are your way of reversing and gaining the perspective you need to move forward again.
Going backwards allows you to reflect on your journey, assess what worked and what didn’t, and re-evaluate your approach. Without the ability to go backwards, we wouldn’t be able to make those necessary adjustments. Sometimes, our “setbacks” give us the space to process emotions, refine strategies, and understand our deeper motivations.
The Role of Failures in Learning
We often think that success is where the learning happens, yet in truth, most growth comes from what we perceive as failures. If we succeeded right away in making a behavior change — whether it’s cutting out sugar, sticking to an exercise plan, or establishing a new routine — we wouldn’t learn nearly as much as when things don’t go according to plan. Failures or setbacks are where we identify gaps in our thinking or behavior and develop resilience. They help us build a stronger, more informed foundation for moving forward.
Behavior change isn’t linear. It’s full of twists, turns, and yes, some backtracking. And that’s where the real learning takes place. Every backward step allows you to take a fresh look at the road ahead and adjust your course. In this way, setbacks are a necessary and valuable part of the process.
Embrace the Journey: Forward and Backward
So, next time you encounter a setback in your behavior change journey, instead of feeling discouraged, embrace the idea that it’s a learning opportunity. Think of it as your personal pit stop where you gather the insights you need to continue moving forward, stronger and more prepared. After all, the path to lasting change isn’t about perfection — it’s about persistence, self-reflection, and growth.
Just like a car, those backward moments are important to give us the perspective we need for the journey ahead.
References:
Dweck, C. (2014, October). “The power of believing that you can improve.” [Video]
