30 Days to a Better You? Join Coach Char’s “Change-A-Habit” Challenge

April 11, 2007

[Edit: I’ve added a link below so users can join the challenge on the Official Start Post (Day O).]

Steve Pavlina, author of the blog where I go for nourishment, has taken a fun approach to changing or forming a habit. He recommends the 30 day trial (30DT)[sic], kind of like when you download a trial version of software for free and you get 30 days to decide if you like the new software enough to make a financial commitment to owning it outright.

The main idea with the 30DT is to commit to doing a particular thing that you don’t usually do (or the opposite if you want to break an existing habit) for 30 consecutive days. Once the 30 days are over, you will probably have formed a new habit or broken an old one. If you choose to continue, doing so will be easier than it was to get started on Day 1. If you choose to abandon your new behavior, at least you have 30 day’s worth of benefit. For a full discussion of this concept, visit Steve’s blog. It’s a goldmine of excellent personal development information and I highly recommend it.

Without further ado, I invite you to participate in Coach Char’s “Change-A-Habit” Challenge…

My “Change-A-Habit” Challenge will operate like Steve’s challenge because his idea was really very good and I see no reason to change it. Here’s the plan:

1. First, I’ll share what I intend to do for the Change-A-Habit Challenge.
2. Anyone who chooses to participate can leave a comment sharing their personal commitment for the challenge.
3. At the end of each week I’ll publish a weekly update in which I’ll share my results, along with any insights, struggles, and wins I’ve experienced. Other participants can share updates by commenting on my blog entry for the corresponding week.
4. At the end of the 30 days, I’ll also report on my intentions for moving forward. One thing I will definitely be sharing is how I intend to celebrate my success!

Who knows, perhaps I’ll extend my challenge and keep going? The beauty of this 30DT [sic] concept is that I don’t have to view any change as permanent. I can ease into the new behavior knowing full well that I have the option to drop it after my 30 day commitment is over. Mentally and emotionally, this is definitely a better way for me to overcome the initial struggle of changing a habit. If you’ve been mourning the failure of yet another set of New Year’s Resolutions (yes, it’s April and many NYRs are long dead by now…) and you’re ready to take another crack at changing your ways, this is a great time to jump on board.

Coach Char’s 30 Day “Change-A-Habit” Challenge

Start Date: Monday, April 16, 2007

End Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2007

To Sign Up: Add a comment to Day O, the Official Start Post

My promise to myself for the “Change-A-Habit” Challenge:

• I will engage in 25 minutes or more of aerobic exercise every day with no exceptions for 30 days. Walking, jogging, and fast-walking outdoors are acceptable, viable options.
• Although time spent warming up, cooling down and stretching before and after I exercise do not qualify as part of my 25 minute workout, I hereby promise to properly conduct these activities to ensure my 25 minutes of exercise are most beneficial to me and to minimize the possibility of injury during my workout.
• I also promise to blog my progress and experience with the challenge every week.

So, there it is, my commitment to change. Today is April 11. Please help me spread the word about this challenge. Anyone who wants to start when I start has 5 days to get on board. You’re also free to comment on this post and start your own 30 day trial at any point in the future. When designing your own challenge, be as creative and ambitious as you want, but I strongly recommend that you keep it simple and be realistic. Make sure you only take on what you are really willing to live with (or without) for 30 consecutive days.

Between now and April 16th, I’ll be sharing some thoughts on change and I’ll be exploring my reasons for choosing my particular goal. Please come back regularly to participate in the challenge and to cheer me on!

To your success and well-being,

Char

Posted in Personal Development, Empowerment, Fun, Change-A-Habit Challenge