Doing the Work
I'm currently doing a skin care routine.
The expected outcome of beautiful glass-skin isn't overnight.
In fact, due to the skin purging process, it could be up to six weeks.
I have tried doing skin-care routines before, and haven't ever been consistent for six whole weeks.
Thinking back, I might try something for a bit, see some good progress, then completely drop off after a couple weeks. Can you relate?
One time stands out. After I started a retinol routine -- I got complimented for how good my skin looked. Interesting.
"Whatever it is that you're doing for your skin, keep doing it" Okay, fantastic!
and then a few weeks later I had a bad reaction to Cerave moisturizer or some combination of the products plus the moisturize, my skin broke out noticeably along my mouth. Not great...
In fact, It was terrible.
I didn't know what to do or how to continue so I just stopped completely.
That is what it often looks like for people when they start any kind of journey of progress. Don't you agree?
They come to an obstacle and the amount of information needed to continue is lacking.
For me if I kept using the products It looked like my skin would get worse. So I just stopped completely.
But stopping made my skin go back to its old oily/combination and acne-prone state.
Doing AND not-doing both seemed like bad option.
Now, flash-forward several years... I have a proper skin-care routine, and an understanding of the hazards that can arise, as well as knowledge of when to step on the gas (use more product), or apply the brakes (stop using product, use less, or knowing what not to combine).
Looking back,
It began with even trusting that there was a process.
For me, as with many, learning that the process can work, and that it can work for me is a big step. The trust is necessary.
Then learning how to apply the process, and how to understand the environment that dictates the process.
For skin-care many factors can come into play:
The sun and it's effect on your skin. The environment you sleep in. The stress of your daily and waking environment. Touching your skin. Having clean hands when applying product.
So on and so on.
The ability to diagnose and be a detective for the things that can cause faults in your progress is essential. This is why for many the job of the coach is so necessary. The coach is essentially the detective for your progress and for helping you identify and overcome your obstacles.
The coach is often a person, but for many it is in reading, researching, and learning as much as possible about something for the one eureka moment that applies to our specific situation.
In recap.
Decide to solve some problem or achieve some goal Trust the process Trust the process applies to YOU Become a detective of the factors that apply to success and failure Have a coach who can be that detective for you