Feeling stuck? Stagnant career? Unfulfilling relationships? Slipping personal goals? The relentless flood of information and the race to keep up in a fast-paced world only add to the confusion and inertia.

We’ve all been there.

I was 18 years old, sitting in a jail cell after punching my mother during a screaming match on the way to college orientation. The bologna sandwich they gave me was disgusting, but not nearly as disgusting as how I felt about myself.

That wasn't even my rock bottom.

A few months later, I became the only freshman in my dorm to rush a fraternity and get rejected by every single one. I sat in my room with the lights off, listening to guys in my hall screaming with joy about their bids, fantasizing about what it would be like if I were dead and how guilty everyone would feel.

I was born Rocky Clay Wooten Thomas Moore to two free-spirited hippies in Hawaii, but by age 18, I was a 6'3", 145-pound victim convinced the world was out to get me. Years of feeling like an outsider—from being called "haole" (unwanted white kid) in Hawaii to being the awkward transfer student who couldn't fit in anywhere—had created what I now understand as a classic "failure loop."

Then everything changed with one small step I took.

My professor casually mentioned "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. That book didn't just alter my trajectory—it saved my life. I became obsessed with self-help, turning the library into my second home, devouring every psychology and personal development book I could find.

I didn't just read, I started experimenting. I became my own human science lab, testing every principle I learned. What worked, I kept. What didn't, I discarded. Every night, I'd transfer my handwritten notes (from napkins, the back of my hand, anywhere) onto my old computer, mesmerized by those glowing orange letters on the black screen.

Twenty-five years later, I've built and sold a food delivery company for $321 million, married the love of my life, and have two amazing sons. But more importantly, I've cracked the code on something much more valuable: how to systematically get your life back on track using science-backed principles.

Today, at a time when teen suicide rates have skyrocketed and more people feel stuck than ever, I'm sharing the exact system that helped me get my life back on track not just financially, but in every area that actually matters.

Are you ready to take that first step towards a brighter, more dynamic you? Let’s get your life back on track.

What Does "Getting Back on Track" Actually Mean?

Getting your life back on track means you are finally feel like you're moving in a direction that makes sense for YOU.  Research from positive psychology shows it's actually about moving from what they call "hedonic well-being" (chasing temporary highs) to "eudaimonic well-being"—basically, living with purpose instead of just reacting to whatever life throws at you.

When I was stuck in that cycle of constant rejection and self-doubt, "being on track" felt impossibly out of reach. But here's what I discovered after 25 years of experimenting: it's not about having your entire life figured out. It's about achieving "dynamic balance" across the core areas of your life: Your Mindset, Career, Relationships, and Physical and Emotional Health. 

What "On Track" Actually Feels Like

When you're truly getting back on track across all core areas, you notice:

• Your mindset stays resilient even during tough times

• Work feels meaningful and your finances feel manageable

• Your relationships energize rather than drain you

• You have physical energy for what matters most

• You can handle stress without falling apart

It's not about having everything perfect. It's about having enough momentum in each core area that when one gets knocked off course, the others keep you stable while you recover.

7 Steps to Get Your Life Back on Track

Through my journey from rock bottom to building a successful life and business, I've distilled the process into seven actionable steps. These aren't just theories they're the exact framework I used to transform every area of my life, and the same system that's helped thousands of others do the same. 

1: Discover Who You Are and What You Want

One of the most important steps to get your life back on track is discovering who you are, what you want, and how to get it. This may sound simple, but it's where most people get stuck. Many go through life without a clear sense of their identity, values, passions, and goals, ending up feeling lost and unfulfilled.

To avoid the trap of living someone else's life, you need to reflect on your personal core values and passions. Ask yourself:

• What are the things that matter most to you?

• What activities make you lose track of time?

• What would you do even if you weren't paid for it?

• When do you feel most energized and alive?

These aren't just feel-good questions—they're the GPS coordinates for your life. Research shows that people with clear values make decisions 23% faster and report significantly less stress.

✅ Use this Passions List to uncover what lights you up and gets you in flow.

Your Personal Mission Statement

Once you identify your core values, create a simple mission statement. Mine evolved from "I want to be rich" (my angry 18-year-old goal) to "I want to help people step out of their failure loops and into their success loops."

🎯 Use the Back to the Future Planning Guide to create a powerful, personalized mission statement that guides your life with purpose.

Your mission doesn't have to be world-changing. It just has to be authentically yours. Once you're clear on your values and direction, the next step is understanding exactly where you stand today across all the areas that matter most.

2:  Discover The Areas of Your Life That Are Lacking 

Now that you know who you are and what you want, it's time to get brutally honest about where you currently stand. At Moore Momentum, I've discovered that five core areas affect your happiness and fulfillment. If you perform well in these areas, you perform well in life.

The Five Core Areas Breakdown

1. Mindset: This is all about how you think and perceive the world. Do you have a growth mindset that embraces challenges, or are you stuck in negative thought patterns? For instance, I once realized I was always thinking, "I can't do this," whenever I faced something new. That was a red flag - my Mindset needed some serious tuning.

2. Career and Finances: This one's about your professional life and financial health. Are you chasing your passion and growing financially? Or do you dread Monday mornings? Imagine working on a project that aligns with your passion, and it doesn't even feel like work. That's the sign of a strong Career and Finances Core. Learn about better money habits.

3. Relationships: This core focuses on your connections with others. Do your relationships energize you or drain you? Think about the last time you had a deep, meaningful conversation with a friend. Felt good, right? That's the relationship core at its best.

4. Physical Health: Here, it's all about your body. Are you taking care of it through exercise, proper nutrition, and rest? Remember how refreshed you felt after that week of healthy eating and regular jogs? That's your Physical Health Core thanking you. Learn about getting back on track with diet.

5. Emotional and Mental Health: This is crucial and often neglected. It's about your emotional well-being and mental health. Ever had a day where you felt emotionally balanced and at peace? That's a sign of healthy emotional and mental health.

Read About How to Win at Life

Balancing Your Cores

Let's be honest—all these cores are rarely perfectly balanced. Maybe your career is booming, but your relationships are suffering. Or your Physical Health is top-notch, but your emotional health is wavering. The key is identifying which core needs more attention and balance them out.

Think of it like a garden. Each core is a different plant. Some might need more water, others more sunlight. By tending to each one according to its needs, you cultivate a garden that's vibrant and thriving - a life that's perfectly balanced and fulfilling.

You can take a core values quiz to find which area of life needs improvement.

Once you've identified which core areas need attention, the next step is understanding what's been sabotaging your progress in those areas.

3. Get Rid of Bad Habits and Limiting Beliefs

You might think you’re in control of your life, but according to research, 43% of your actions are habitual and unconscious. Habits arise from our beliefs and over time they shape us. I term it as the equation of life.

This equation highlights the transformative power of your beliefs and actions over time. When you're off track, it's often due to a negative belief system or unproductive habits that have compounded over time.

Common Limiting Beliefs by Core Area

Mindset: "I'm just not good at this," "Things never work out for me," "I can't change," or "I don't deserve success."

Career & Finance: "Money isn't important" (while struggling financially), "I'm not smart enough for success," "I don't have what it takes," or "Rich people are greedy."

Relationships: "I'm better off alone," "People always let me down," "I'm not worthy of love," or "Trust leads to disappointment."

Physical Health: "I don't have time for health," "I'll start tomorrow," "I'm just not athletic," or "Healthy food is expensive."

Emotional Health: "Asking for help is weakness," "I should handle this alone," "My feelings don't matter," or "I need to be perfect."

Identifying Your Sabotaging Habits

For each core area that needs work, ask yourself: 

• What actions am I repeatedly taking that move me away from my goals?

• What do I consistently avoid that I know would help me? 

• What patterns of behavior keep showing up in my life?

Examples of Common Sabotaging Habits

Feel disconnected in relationships? Perhaps it's avoiding vulnerability, not reaching out first, or staying glued to your phone during conversations. Stuck in your career? Maybe it's avoiding networking, not investing in new skills, or staying in your comfort zone. Struggling with physical health? It could be stress eating, staying up too late, or choosing convenience over nutrition.

Once you've identified what's been sabotaging each core area, you can start replacing limiting beliefs with empowering ones and sabotaging habits with healthy habits. This is where transformation really begins.

Learn more on Habit Formation: How to Form a Habit to Achieve your Goals

Now that you understand what's been holding you back, it's time to build the infrastructure that will support lasting change.

Step 4: Build Systems That Work for You 

Here's the hard truth I learned during my transformation: willpower might get you started, but systems keep you going. While motivation fades and discipline requires constant energy, systems run automatically in the background, making good choices easier and bad choices harder. Know more about Motivation Vs. Discipline.

I've developed what I call "Momentum Boosting Methods"—a simple framework that makes any system stick. The key is designing your environment and habits using three core principles that remove friction and create natural momentum toward your goals.

Make It Obvious

Your environment should serve as a constant reminder of your goals. When the right choices are visible and the wrong ones are hidden, you naturally gravitate toward better decisions.

• Health: Keep workout clothes laid out, place your gym bag by the door, remove junk food from visible areas

• Career Success: Create a dedicated workspace, keep inspiring books on your desk, display your goals prominently

• Relationships: Put phones in a designated basket during dinner, keep meaningful photos visible

• Mindset: Place motivational quotes where you'll see them daily, position gratitude journals on your nightstand

Make It Easy

Start so small that it feels almost silly not to do it. When the barrier to entry is tiny, consistency becomes effortless.

• Health: Do just 2 push-ups after brushing your teeth, drink one extra glass of water per day, take the stairs for just one flight

• Career: Read one page of a business book daily, save just $5 per week automatically, spend 5 minutes organizing your workspace each morning

• Relationships: Send one genuine compliment text per week, have one phone-free conversation daily, ask one meaningful question during dinner

• Mindset: Write down one thing you're grateful for each morning, take three deep breaths when you feel stressed, replace one negative thought with a positive one daily

Read More: How To Build Discipline and Consistency

Make It Fun and Rewarding

Transform necessary actions into experiences you anticipate rather than endure. When progress feels good, consistency follows naturally.

• Health: Create energizing workout playlists that you only listen to during exercise, use fitness apps that unlock achievements, treat yourself to new workout gear after hitting milestones.

• Career Success: Turn skill-building into challenges with deadlines and rewards, share wins with an accountability partner who celebrates with you, track progress visually with habit tracker app.

• Relationships: Create unique traditions for each important relationship, plan surprise gestures that bring you joy to execute, document special moments in a shared photo album or journal.

• Mindset: Join online communities where you can share victories and encourage others.

Set Identity-Based Systems

Traditional SMART goals focus on outcomes, but effective systems focus on process and identity. Instead of "I want to lose 20 pounds," think "I want to become someone who exercises consistently." The identity shift creates lasting change because you're not just changing what you do—you're changing who you are.  Read in detail about Goal Setting 

Use your natural energy rhythms to your advantage. Most people have peak energy 2-4 hours after waking. Schedule your most important tasks during this window, and save routine tasks for when your energy dips. Follow a consistent routine that removes decision fatigue. When everything has its place and time, you save mental energy for what matters most.

Remember: small systems compound over time. A 1% improvement in each of your systems might seem insignificant today, but over a year, these small changes create massive transformation. Learn more about How to Use The Compound Effect to Create Unstoppable Momentum.

Quick System Check: Before implementing any new habit, ask yourself:

 What system will make this automatic? What environment supports this goal? What's the smallest possible version of this I can do consistently? How can I make this behavior more obvious, easy, and rewarding?

5. Making Technology Work for, Not Against, Your Goals

Technology can be a double-edged sword. The average American spends 7 hours a day looking at a screen. That’s a lot of information being thrown at us, right? So, it’s more important than ever to cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. It can either help you reach your goals or distract you from them. The trick is to use it wisely and intentionally. Here are some tips on how to do that:

Consume Information Aligned With Your Goals: When you come across new information, ask yourself: Does it inspire me to grow, improve, or learn in the areas that I value and act on my goals? If the answer is yes, then that information is valuable and useful. Pay attention to it, take notes, and apply it to your life. If the answer is no, then it’s just noise. Ignore it or discard it. Save your time, energy, and attention to the things that truly matter. Stay away from mindless scrolling.

Set a schedule for using technology. Don’t let technology take over your life. Decide when and how long you will use these tools. This way, you can focus on your goals and avoid wasting time. 

Use reminders and alerts to stay on track. Technology can also help you remember your tasks, habits, and reflections. Set up notifications that remind you of your goals and motivate you to take action.

Customize your notifications to minimize distractions. Not all notifications are helpful. Some can be annoying and irrelevant. Adjust your settings to only receive alerts that support your goals. Take breaks from technology regularly. Sometimes, you need to disconnect and recharge. Schedule times when you will turn off all your devices and enjoy the present moment.

By following these tips, you can make technology work for you, not against you. You can turn it from a potential distraction into a powerful ally.

Read an Interesting blog on Negative Self Talk

6. Gamify Your Routines 

Good habits are the key to transforming your life. But they don’t have to be boring or hard. You can make them fun and easy by adding some spice and creativity to your routine. Here are some ways to do that:

Stack Habits with Your Hobbies. Combine necessary actions with activities you already love. Listen to podcasts while jogging, play music during chores, or practice languages during your commute. 

✨ Make habit-stacking effortless with this Habit Stacking PDF Sheet—a powerful tool to link habits and hobbies like a pro

Turn Progress into a Game. Give yourself points for completing tasks and reward yourself at certain scores. Create levels, unlock achievements, or compete with friends to tap into your natural desire for progress.

Theme Your Days. Assign specific focuses to different days: 'Wellness Wednesday' for health goals, 'Finance Friday' for budgeting, or 'Mindful Monday' for reflection. This adds variety while preventing decision fatigue.

Align Habits with Your Interests. Choose habits that match your passions. Love writing? Make journaling your daily practice. Drawn to design? Commit to sketching daily. When habits connect to existing interests, motivation becomes automatic.

Customize Your Approach. Adapt habits to your personality. Social people can involve friends in fitness routines, while tech-savvy individuals can leverage apps for tracking. Your habits should feel like a natural extension of who you are.

Celebrate Meaningful Milestones. Acknowledge progress with rewards that matter to you. Treat yourself to a movie night after a week of consistency, or buy something special after monthly goals. Celebration reinforces positive behavior.

Track Progress Visually. Use habit trackers, charts, or apps that show streaks and improvements. Seeing tangible evidence of consistency creates momentum and makes setbacks feel temporary.

Create Regular Feedback Loops. Review habits weekly to see what's working. Adjust your approach based on what you learn about yourself. This continuous refinement keeps habits effective and enjoyable.

Read in detail about: How to Gamify Your Life: The Ultimate Guide

When habits align with your interests and feel rewarding rather than restrictive, they naturally become part of who you are.

7. Connect with People Who Lift You Up

One of the most effective ways to get your life back on track is by surrounding yourself with people who uplift and support you. Seek out positive influences, join interest-based groups, and participate in community events to build diverse connections.

Find out different ways to reinvent to reinvent yourself

Here is how you can make these relationships more exciting:

• Share Knowledge: Exchange skills and insights with others. This could be as simple as recommending a book or as involved as a collaborative project.

• Hold Each Other Accountable: Partner up with someone to keep each other on track with your goals. Having an accountability buddy can greatly increase your chances of success.

• Celebrate Together: When one of you achieves a goal, celebrate it together. Shared joy is a key part of a supportive community.

By connecting with people who lift you, you are creating a network that empowers you to be your best self.

✅ Use this Top People List to identify and prioritize the people who lift you up—and let go of the ones who hold you back.

How Long Does It Take to Get Your Life Back on Track?

Getting your life back on track doesn’t happen overnight—but it’s not some endless journey either. Research shows it takes about 66 days to form a habit (a study from University College London). That means with a little consistency, you can start seeing real changes in just a couple of months.

For most people, small shifts start showing up within 2–3 weeks. Big wins? Give it around 3 months. And if you stay the course, you’ll likely feel a full-on transformation by 6 months.

The trick? Focus on tiny wins, build momentum, and stay patient. The rest follows.

You can check out our blog on 21/90 rule

It's Never Too Late to Get Your Life Back On Track

Ready to make a change? CLICK HERE to start with our 2-minute awareness quiz. 🚀🚀🚀. This simple quiz is your first step towards a more balanced and fulfilling life. This quick quiz is the gateway to discovering your challenges in key areas of life: Mindset, Career & Finances, Relationships, Physical Health, and Emotional & Mental Health. It's easy, insightful, and a great way to focus on what matters to you.

Our approach at Moore Momentum blends science-based techniques with engaging activities, making self-improvement a rewarding experience. By focusing on the '5 Cores' of life, we help you build a balanced, fulfilling life, step by step.

And for those who like to keep track of their progress, DOWNLOAD our Gamified AI habit tracking app 🚀🚀🚀. It's an easy and fun way to keep yourself motivated and on track towards your personal goals.

FAQs - Getting Life Back on Track:

How do I get my life back on track after depression?

Recovery begins with compassion and simplicity. Start small—just 2 minutes of sunlight, stretching, or movement can make a difference. Prioritize Physical Health, and seek therapy if possible (CBT shows 60–80% success rates). Focus on consistency, not intensity. Healing is a process—small wins build momentum.

How do I get my life back on track financially?

Align your career path with your values—it boosts motivation and fulfillment. Reassess your marketable skills, set up automatic savings and investments, and explore multiple income streams. Building an emergency fund creates stability, allowing you to make progress in other life areas with more confidence.

How to get back on track after letting yourself go?

That feeling is more common than you think—and it’s reversible. Start with just 10 minutes of movement daily (shown to boost mood by 12%). Reframe your journey with curiosity instead of shame. Stack new habits onto routines you already do, and surround yourself with people who support your growth. Self-compassion fuels sustainable change.

How do I get my life back on track when I feel broken?

Start small. Focus on one positive action—like moving your body, reaching out to someone, or just showing up for yourself. Healing takes time, but momentum begins with consistency, not perfection. Prioritize self-compassion and build simple systems to support your daily progress.

How do I get my life back on track when I feel lost?

When you feel lost, the key is to reconnect with what matters to you. Reflect on your values, passions, and what brings you energy. You don’t need all the answers—just take one intentional step toward alignment, and clarity will follow.

How do I get my life back on track after losing everything?

Rebuilding starts with accepting where you are and focusing on what you can control. Begin with simple routines that restore structure and stability. From there, build upward—one habit, one goal, one day at a time. Your comeback starts with belief and consistent action.