How to Get Back on Track When You’ve Lost Momentum
Recently, I got a little off track.
I’d been showing up consistently for my financial coaching business—creating content, building relationships, and staying on top of client work—all while juggling a full-time job.
Then…I went on vacation.
Cue the well-earned relaxation, but also a total shift in routine. I squeezed in a couple lighter business tasks, but did a whole lot less than usual—and that felt strange. Still, I’ve made a conscious decision that vacation doesn’t need to include work. I want balance, and that includes real rest.
What Happened When I Got Home
I got back on a Friday, with two and a half days before returning to my corporate job. I had the time and space to ease back into my routine… but I didn’t.
Instead, I felt anxious. A lot of that was tied to anticipation—I was preparing to give notice at my corporate job, which came with a swirl of emotions. Instead of pushing myself to power through, I focused on self-care to navigate the anxiety. I got my nails done (bless those massage chairs), listened to an audiobook, and worked on a jigsaw puzzle.
After about a week, my anxiety eased up and I felt ready to reconnect with my business—but it felt intimidating. I’d lost my momentum, and jumping back in felt overwhelming.
This Is Exactly What My Clients Feel Too
As I sat with those thoughts, I realized: this is exactly how many of my financial coaching clients feel when they’ve had a setback with their money goals. One client even told me that one of her biggest hopes for our work together was to learn how to restart healthy financial habits after a rough month.
If you've ever struggled to restart after time away—whether that’s with your money, your business, or your goals in general—you’re not alone.
Here are a few of the strategies I used to get back into the swing of things. And because money is my specialty, I’ll show you how each one can apply to your finances too.
1. Acknowledge What You Did Do
I’d been telling myself I hadn’t done anything for my business in nearly three weeks—but my husband (lovingly 😄) was quick to call me out. In reality, I’d signed a new client, held a Clarity Session, and even scheduled some Instagram posts. Those are real, meaningful actions, even if they didn’t match my usual pace.
💰 Financial parallel:
Maybe you didn’t stick to your budget. But did you return something after realizing it wasn’t in your plan? Opt to cook dinner instead of ordering out? Even simply being aware that you overspent is a win—that awareness means you’re paying attention. And that’s huge.
2. Reach Out for Support
I shared how I was feeling with my husband, and just talking about it helped. Sometimes encouragement, validation, or a different perspective is all we need to reset.
💰 Financial parallel:
Money can feel isolating, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether it’s a trusted partner, friend, coach, or even ChatGPT, don’t carry the weight by yourself. And if your self-talk is harsh, try flipping it: What would you say to your best friend?
3. Find a Quick Win
Trying to go from 0 to 100 felt so overwhelming that it became paralyzing—I didn’t want to take any action at all. So I lowered the bar (in a good way!) and gave myself a few easy, momentum-building tasks to knock out. Checking things off helped rebuild my confidence and made it easier to tackle those bigger tasks.
💰 Financial parallel:
Start small. Don’t force yourself to spend hours updating your entire budget or categorizing every past transaction. Maybe just open your budgeting app. Check your account balance. Categorize one transaction. Let that be enough for now.
4. Use This as a Fresh Start
If you’re resisting getting back into your routine, maybe that routine needs to change. This time away reminded me to re-evaluate how I structure my business activities. Maybe it’s time to explore a new strategy or streamline some processes.
💰 Financial parallel:
If you dread managing your money, it might be time to change how you do it. Hate tracking every dollar? There are ways to budget without doing that. (And yes, I can help you create a system that actually works for you.)
5. Give Yourself Grace
This one is the hardest for me, but also the most important. I remind myself: I did what I needed at the time. I prioritized rest and recovery, and that’s not wrong—it’s human. Now, I get to decide what comes next.
💰 Financial parallel:
Progress over perfection, always. What’s done is done—you can’t unspend the money. But you can decide how to move forward. That next step matters more than what’s behind you.
You’re Not Starting Over—You’re Picking Back Up
Falling off track isn’t failure. It’s part of the process. And getting back into it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Give yourself credit. Give yourself permission to go slow. And give yourself grace.
💬 Have you ever had to find your footing again—whether with your money, a goal, or just getting back into a routine? What helped you get back on track? Drop a comment and let me know!
