Using a 30-day challenge strategy to accomplish a goal

I love doing 30-day challenges. When you are doing a 30 day challenge, you have ONE specific goal in mind. For example: “I want to be more fit!” “I want to utilize more creativity in my life!” Here are 3 reasons why I recommend this strategy:

1) 30 day challenges are meant to be small daily goals that stair-step you toward your overarching goal. They’re not overwhelming, and allow for gradual change.

My current 30 day challenge is to commit one hour a day to writing my book, something I’ve had trouble disciplining myself to execute lately. My overarching goal is to complete the book before 2016 is over, so I am hoping this will instill better writing habits and allow me to understand how I can write more efficiently. I’m excited to see what I can accomplish after 30 days is over!

2) It gets you in a sustainable pattern.

When I first started doing thirty day challenges, my primary goal was to work out more consistently. I hadn’t worked out in SIX years at the time, and I needed a big change. So, I started doing fitness challenges. After my first 30 day challenge was over, I tried another. The following month I tried 2 challenges at once. I sustained sustain this for about 6 months and as a result, I got into GREAT shape and then went into maintenance mode. I did this over 3 years ago and to this day, I have a good workout regimen I can keep up with.

3) It’s long enough to stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone, but it’s short enough that you can see the finish line. 

Making a life-changing goal can seem really daunting. Making a goal for a week is okay, but making a commitment for 30 days stretches you just a little more. During the month, there will be peaks and valleys. As you observe your actions over the month, be mindful of what’s working and what’s not. Think about what obstacles you had to overcome, and what made it easier to accomplish the day’s challenge. At the end of the month, you’ll have 30 days of data to reflect and assess, and then you can decide how to move forward.