As the holiday season approaches, this episode—originally recorded after Thanksgiving 2024—offers perspective that’s just as relevant now as it was then. Colleen pulls apart one of the biggest myths of change: that it’s the behavior itself that’s hard.

The truth? It’s the act of change—the moment you take your brain off autopilot—that feels so uncomfortable.

From holiday chaos to daily overwhelm, she shows how perfectionism and constant performance keep you stuck, and why setbacks are not proof of failure but invitations to learn. She reframes relapse, stress, and “slip-ups” as tests—opportunities to gather information instead of self-destruct. She makes the case that baby habits can’t yet compete with old, well-worn patterns in times of stress, and that setting realistic expectations is the most compassionate, powerful strategy for lasting growth.

This is more than a pep talk.

It’s a playbook for walking through the holidays (and any high-pressure season) without letting setbacks steal your progress—or your self-trust.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Stressful seasons test your new habits; don’t expect baby habits to out-muscle old ones every time.

• Setbacks are tests, not failures—the lesson is in how you respond.

• “Failure” is just a mismatch between expectations and reality.

• Self-compassion is the fastest way to keep momentum alive.

• Progress sticks when you give yourself credit for improvements already made.

• Three anchors to use in setbacks: How could this have been worse? Where did I improve? What have I learned?

If you are ready to get support from a community of women who are co-creating this change with intention and clarity— Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL.

Do you want help from Colleen with a situation you’re struggling with? Click here to submit your question for Colleen’s NEW Q& A episodes. Your name will not be mentioned on air!

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X (Twitter) : @NotAboutTheAlc

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