Adapting to change requires us to dig into our tool kit and make different choices than we have before. Making a choice is one thing; making it stick is a different ball game.

Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution and found yourself back at square one a few weeks later? You’re not alone, as only about 9% of people actually complete them.

Making new choices, especially those aimed at improving ourselves or our work routines, can feel like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. We’ve all been there – starting strong, feeling the energy, but then, life happens, and suddenly that shiny new habit you wanted to adopt slips through the cracks.

In the tumultuous world of leadership where change is the one thing you can count on, adaptability to new and emerging challenges is key. We need our best thinking caps on to develop innovative and collaborative solutions, yet it can be hard to find strategies and actions that lead to sustainable success.

My decision to start my day with a cold dip in Lake Ontario (yes, even in the middle of a Canadian winter) began with a “I’ll just try it once!” choice. I share more about that in this article. But as I approach my “Dipaversary”, I realize there have been some strategies I’ve used to keep that decision going until the point where it’s become an integrated and sustainable part of how I support my emotional, physical and social wellbeing.

Often it’s not that we lack the willpower or desire to change; it’s just that making a habit sustainable is tougher than it seems when you’re flying into the headwinds of the chaos and demands of our daily lives. Here are 3 tips I’ve implemented from my daily journeys into a cold lake that you can use in any realm of your life:

Tip #1 Be a Scientist

When you decide to do something differently, it often feels like a stretch out of your comfort zone. That’s as it should be. Take discomfort as a positive sign you’re placing yourself on a growth edge.

I often counsel my coaching clients to think of yourself as the scientist of your own life. You’re running an experiment and you’ve got certain variables you can dial up or down. It’s important to not conflate your successful habit adoption with your self-worth. Stay curious and notice what’s different in terms of external and inner change. Take notes and learn from the experience you’re having as you make the shift. Share what you’re noticing with people who support you and that you trust. Use the data and insights you’re receiving so you can tweak your experiment further and, as one of my coaches says, “Iterate your way to awesome.”

Keep notes about your progress and challenges. Channel your inner “Bill Nye the Science Guy” on a daily basis as you shift into your new behaviour or habit.

Tip #2 Reduce Friction

Have you ever played air hockey when someone shuts the game off just as you’re above to hit the puck? Your shot grinds to a halt in a split second. In physics, friction is defined as a force that opposes the motion of objects. When you’re looking to sustain change successfully, whether for yourself or within your organization, keep an eye out for sources of friction that might wear down the enthusiasm and momentum of your newly acquired plan of action.

When I started dipping regularly, I quickly realized I needed to set up a “go station” in my house. In the early hours of the morning, I didn’t want to have to hunt for my bathing suit and booties, let alone worry whether they were dry from the day before. I found a spot where I set up hooks so it simplifies my decision-making and organization so I can get out the door on time.

What sources of frictions are in your physical or relational environment that need to be addressed? In organizations that prize “standard operating procedures”, there can be a lot of process, systems and reporting expectations that can add friction to sustainable success that may need to be re-imagined and uplevelled.

Tip #3 Get Back on the Wagon

We’re human beings, not robots programmed for flawless execution, so have a plan for what to do when you fall off the wagon and miss a beat. Ironically, the day after I published my article about my daily dipping practice, I experienced such intense lower back pain I could hardly walk let alone wade into a lake. So I skipped a day.

Did I beat myself up? No. Instead I took the time to see what went off the rails and recognized that I had been overlooking the warning signs my lower back had been sending me from the previous week.

Setbacks are part of the journey. Making a decision is never a one-and-done process. Rather than think you’re “starting all over again”, realize that you’re choosing to start again. This time with more wisdom and determination than before. Take the tumble off your chosen path as valuable feedback that will help you get back on track, and stay there longer and with more commitment the next time.

Having a roster of tools and self-dialogue on hand to offer yourself an encouraging hand-up to get back on track is invaluable.

Are you looking to uplevel your leadership and decision-making skills? I offer executive coaching for seasoned and emerging leaders who are looking to navigate change and amplify their impact and influence. You can learn more here.