Feeling Stuck? Here's How I Used ABA to Get Back on Track
Heyyy, BCBA Ruby here.
On July 29th, 2023, I filmed a quick video of myself. I said:
“I’m feeling stressed out and feel like I haven’t been living up to my potential. ”
I’ll be honest—watching that video back stung a little. I could hear the burnout in my voice. The overwhelm. The self-doubt.
And even as a BCBA who teaches behavior change every day… I realized I wasn’t applying those same tools to myself.
So I did what I know best. I leaned into the science.
Using ABA for Real Life
In ABA, we know that behavior is influenced by environment, reinforcement, and function. So I started asking myself:
What behaviors were missing from my routine?
What reinforcers had I stopped using?
What was my environment signaling me to do—or avoid?
That shift in perspective was everything. I stopped judging myself for feeling "off" and started observing my behavior like I would for a client—with curiosity, not criticism.
Here’s What I Did
🧠 1. I defined what “living up to my potential” actually looked like.
Instead of vague expectations, I created specific, observable goals like:
Starting my day with intention (not just reacting to emails)
Scheduling downtime the same way I schedule meetings
Saying “no” when my plate is full
✨ 2. I reconnected with my reinforcers.
I started celebrating small wins again. Finishing a report? I earned a fancy coffee. Cleared my inbox? I got 20 minutes of guilt-free TikTok scroll time.
Yes, even BCBAs need reinforcers.
🗂️ 3. I built myself a behavior plan.
Not a rigid one—but a flexible, compassionate one. I used visuals, to-do lists, and gentle prompts. I even added some response blocking for my overcommitting tendencies 🙃
Why I’m Sharing This
Because maybe you’ve had a day like July 29th, too.
Maybe you’ve questioned your path, your purpose, or your pace.
And maybe you needed to hear this:
💛 You are not your off days.
📊 You are not your productivity.
🧩 You are a whole human—and behavior science can support you, too.
Let’s Be Real: ABA Isn’t Just for Clients
It’s for us. For our routines, our habits, our wellness.
The more we practice what we preach, the more aligned and empowered we become.
So here’s your reminder:
ABA isn’t just about graphs and data sheets.
It’s about creating meaningful change—starting with ourselves.
The future of ABA is personal.
Let’s keep it real. Let’s keep growing. Let’s reinforce the heck out of progress.
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Want more behind-the-scenes reflections, tools, or mentorship?
📩 Slide into my inbox or follow along TikTok: @mybcbalife
