When you get into a consistent routine or practice of any kind, you will notice progress. This is an incredibly rewarding feeling, especially if your practice involves “baby steps” to results.

The problem with the baby-step method is that the actions involved are small. The effort is minimal. And because of this, it’s easy to slip.

Whether it be physical enhancement like weight loss or muscle building, or mental development such as learning a musical instrument or a programming language — falling off track can happen without notice.

But this is ok, as long as you notice.

My exercise routine has fallen apart over the last couple of weeks. The San Francisco trip coupled with a weekend celebration with close friends took priority over certain habits. Gluttony and consumption trumped my routine. I sacrificed my healthy efforts for life experience.

Had I been training for an upcoming triathlon, I might feel guilty. But my routines are long-term — I keep them for my overall state of mental and physical health.

Sometimes I slip. I take a break to indulge in the experience of living.

And that’s ok.

Whatever your routine, your schedule, or your goals — allow some room for slippage. Because you need to allow yourself some room for everything else.

Give yourself some slack when you fall off course.

Just be sure to notice when it happens, and to correct course as soon as possible.