I like to complete 30 day challenges. A pod cast possibly from Tim Ferris first introduced me the the theory and it has the ability to have a significant (positive) impact on ones life.
Committing a short burst of energy is an exciting and motivating thing to do. It is important to pick something you are interested to learn about, want to try or want to experiment with the impact of a particular regime.
A 30 day challenge is a great way to introduce something you want to do but are struggling to fit it in, like meditation. (I am hit and miss with meditation, I always feel the benefit when I do it consistently but as soon as I feel better I let it drop again!) To fit in meditation I woke up 30 minutes earlier and started a free introduction on Headspace and then moved onto Waking up by Sam Harris. Having the time and space to reflect on what I really want from life gave me the impetus to start http://www.MrsSlimmer.com
Thirty day challenges, my husband or I have tried
45 minutes of French per day
10 minutes of tidying up
20 mins Cardio or weight exercise
Bed at 10:30
Read before sleep
Do not take my phone into my bedroom
No sweetner in coffee
No Facebook for social use
No Instagram for social use
Contact a friend
Intermittent fasting
These are all fun things to try. Following on from the 30 day challenge, for the changes I like and want to continue I set daily reminders in the Todoist app. This is a great app based on ‘Getting Things Done’. It may seem to lack spontaneity but since I take half an hour every morning for me, I review how I am doing against what I said I wanted to do, I get to feel positive everyday. Of course there are days that I miss, we miss, can’t be bothered or something comes up, work, child etc, but it is the intention setting and getting there which seems to be the biggest lift.
I can’t speak for you but as a working mother (despite having a wonderful stay at home Dad) I find that I am the one who never got time alone, never got time in the house just to float around. I needed time and space to focus on me. Starting with meditation calmed my mind to allow the important things to float to the top. For years I have wanted to help other people on their journey through life. A small change in waking up early (admittedly a bit tough at first) has had enormous ramifications – I got on with it. To get out of bed I rewarded myself with the sheer indulgence of meditating. We will come on to rewards later.
Mr Slimmer and I tie the 30 days into the months and are a bit flexible about it, it doesn’t always start on the first day of the month and doesn’t always go for the full 30 days, but it is there or there about. You can start any day of the week or the month the principle is still the same.
I would encourage you to start small. Some months I tried to do too many elements at one time and I gave up on all of them. Because of my alone time in the morning I can do all the things I want to before my day even starts for others. I love the feeling of being ahead and focusing on the important things first.
In summary you can do anything for thirty days. You can try a diet, then you have the rest of your life to decide if it’s for you or not. I love thinking about the years ahead and planning what elements I am going to try for 30 days. One time I’d like to try a 30 day fast. I’d also like to do 30 days of yoga on a beach – possibly not going to happen until I retire but I love the thought of it! I could work more flexibly and go on holiday for all summer and do it sooner. Endless possibilities.
What do you want to try for 30 days? And where will it take you?
MrsSlimmer 