Take The 30-Day Challenge!
Whatever change or new habit you want to acquire, the 30-Day Challenge can make it happen for you.
It’s All About Patterns
Haven’t you noticed?
Some people are always making money, while some people are always broke.
Some people are always on time, while some people are always late.
Some people always create happiness wherever they go, while some people create conflict wherever they go.
Some people always achieve their dreams, while some people never achieve their dreams.
Why?
It’s habits. Success and failure aren’t actions. They’re habits.
By the way, here are 7 Rules of the 30-Day Challenge.
Rule 1: Select One Habit
Don’t try to change 19 things in your life.
Just choose one habit.
Choose something simple.
Because it’s the simple things that will cause a massive difference in your life.
Perhaps you want to complement your spouse every day for the next 30 days.
Or spend 15 minutes with your child daily for the next 30 days.
Or eat more veggies each day for the next 30 days.
I repeat: Pick one habit only!
Whatever you pick, make a commitment to do it for 30 Days.
Here’s the magic of this program: If you can make one change
in January, you can change another habit in February, and then another
one in March… Do you get the picture? That way, you could make 12
fantastic changes in 2012.
Isn’t that awesome?
2. Aim For 30 Days
It’s got to be for 30 days.
If you miss one day, promise to go back to Day 1 and start over.
Why 30 Days?
Two reasons.
First, because that’s what it takes to learn a new habit. According
to psychologists, it takes 21 days to create a new pattern in your
life. It takes 21 days to create a mental pathway in your brain, so that
it becomes easier for you to do it.
So why not call it the 21-Day Challenge instead of a 30-Day
Challenge? I don’t want to take chances. 21-Days is the passing
mark. 30-Days is the honor mark!
Here’s the second reason why 30 Days only: It’s more doable.
If someone tells you, “Can you read one hour a day for the rest of
your life?”, that can be overwhelming. But if someone tells you, “Can
you read one hour a day for the next 30 days?”
All of a sudden, it seems more doable.
3. Do It Daily
Developing a new habit requires that you do it daily.
I repeat: You have to do it daily. Not 3 or 4 times a week. This is
crucial. If it’s an activity that can’t be done daily, then try to
choose an “alternate” activity that you can do at the same time.
For example, if you hit the gym every 5pm to 6pm on Tuesdays,
Thursdays, and Saturdays—why not take a walk around your village at that
same time on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday? That way, it’s
still a daily experience.
4. Schedule It
Don’t just say, “I’m going to walk daily.”
Say instead, “I’m going to walk at 6AM daily.” That’ll be more powerful.
Don’t just say, “I’m going to make 20 sales calls a day.”
Say instead, “I’m going to make 20 sales calls a day from 10am to 12noon.”
Doing this little tweak will quadruple your chances of sticking to the habit.
5. Replace It
Empty space doesn’t remain empty for long.
If you remove a bad habit, there’ll be an empty space in your
life. If you don’t fill that empty space, the bad habit will come back.
So don’t just try quitting a bad habit. Be sure to replace it with a good habit.
For example, if you want to quit watching telenovelas, what will you
do during those three hours in the evening? Read a book? Learn a musical
instrument? Start a business?
6. Study It
Study about the new habit you want to acquire.
Let’s say you want to be more grateful in the next 30 days. Then
Google about gratitude. Read articles about it. Look for books on the
topic. Talk to friends about the power of gratitude.
And finally…
7. Find Support
Surround yourself with people who already are doing your new habit.
If you want to exercise daily, get your friend or spouse who will do it with you. If you can afford it, get a Physical Trainer.
It’s your turn to make revolutionary changes in your life.
AT YOUR SERVICE
JHAY MAGAT