Recoil & 3X — Two Methodologies for Positive Momentum
I want to discuss in this article two methodologies that I’ve adopted to help me stay with my goals, and overall improve my overall wellness. Recoil Time and the Three Strikes Method.
Recoil time I consider the time in which you get off track. If the goal is to go to the gym every day, and you miss two days in a row and return. Your recoil time would be those two days. If you fall into a depressive episode and don’t make your bed or get out of bed for three days, those three days would be your recoil time. In the past, I’ve had an issue with starting something and then falling off — only for the intent to start again to be picked up months later. This cycle can stretch 2–3 month tasks into years. Consider getting in shape, 4 months of disciplined work and you can accomplish significant goals. If you go for a month and a half and fall off for two months — how long would it take until you put together the 4 consecutive months necessary to achieve the goals you set forth? We also consider the importance of momentum and compound returns. You can build positive or negative momentum. Eating poorly can turn into sleeping poorly which can turn into poor decisions and this can turn into tarnished relationships and life opportunities.
There isn’t much that is profound to this way of thinking, outside of actively identifying it as recoil time. If you can identify if you are building positive or negative momentum — you can measure the recoil associated with the negative momentum. Oftentimes when you lose progress or mess up on a critical goal — a good deal of shame can be involved. This shame compounds when it happens again, and again and again. We wish we accomplished our goals the first time — but you can’t get lost in the shame. You can only do the next best thing — which is to start again.
Where I’ve found recoil time most helpful is that I also can now feel accomplished in the periods where I slipped up. Instead of oh my god I missed the gym a week straight AGAIN — I’m a horrible person, it’s wow! I rebounded after just a week this time. Nice! And then a week later it is 2 days! And before you know it you have established a cadence that builds positive momentum. I’ve found this has given me a positive to look to in something that can be inherently seen as negative at times.
The second method, which I’ve found less useful but useful nonetheless is the Three Strikes Method. The premise is simple — don’t strike out. If I’ve eaten two unhealthy meals in a row — wow, can’t strike out. If I’ve missed 2 days of exercise or meditation in a row — can’t strike out. Had 2 days where I’ve just felt bleh — well, can’t strike out! I need to do something positive with my time now.
As I continue down the path of becoming the best me I can be — I’ve found that adopting internal systems of accountability are very helpful. Doing the work is the only way, but contextualizing within the Three Strike Method and reducing my recoil time has been tremendously helpful — and helps keep away the vicious negative self-talk cycle when failure or missed opportunities occur.
