Step 2C: Research-Based Evidence on Slipping

Here’s the key takeaway: It’s whether you allow the temporary slip to deteriorate into a permanent fall…or not.

Virtually every research study documents the high prevalence of Lincolnesque lapses.

• In our studies, 58 to 71% of self-changers slip at least once in the first 30 days.
• The average number of slips is a breathtaking 5 or 6! Slips are common—nearly universal—and understandable. As we say in psychology, “normalize it”: consider it a normal part of living and learning.
• In fact, if you slip 5 or 6 times in the first 30 days, that means you are succeeding more than 90% of the time!

More good news: You can transform slips into recommitments and resist the urge to give up altogether. We mortals accomplish this all of the time.

• In 1984 researchers at the University of Oregon telephoned treated smokers once a month and found that many had snuck a smoke once or twice but most did not revert to smoking as they did prior to quitting.
• In one of our New Year’s resolutions studies, for another example, we followed hundreds of folks pursuing a mix of goals – budgeting finances better, reducing alcohol, being more patient, avoiding fast foods, and so on. By February, 11 percent of the resolvers had slipped and then fallen/relapsed, but far more—53 percent—had slipped but not fallen. Put another way, over half had made mistakes without letting those mistakes lead to a total reversal of behavior change. 

Which of the above facts most motivates you? Why?