(Photo by insk0r, licensed under Creative Commons.)
Oh, why hello there, blog! You've been at the bottom of my to-do list for too long. It's just so easy to get caught up in the fray and forget some of the details in the process. But those details can be pretty durn important.
In fact, when I look back at all the changes I've made in my life this year, it's the day-to-day, seemingly mundane details that really made the changes stick. As I'm sure all of you know, a complete lifestyle overhaul doesn't happen overnight. It takes dedicated effort -- and the road is ripe with challenges, setbacks, small victories and frustration. Unfortunately, this winding and bumpy road makes it all too easy to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the "big picture," leaving you vulnerable to the crash and burn of tackling too much at once.
Before I started exercising or eating well, I would look at the sad state of affairs in my life and think things like "I need to GET FIT and EAT RIGHT." But I was never sure what, exactly, those big-picture goals entailed. So rather than drowning in the ambiguity of enormous, undefined goals, I've found that it's helpful to narrow my scope.
By focusing on small(er) daily habits, lasting change is not only possible -- it's easy. Or at least, easier. The 30-day challenge epitomizes this mindset. You choose one habit or change you would like to make, and focus on that one goal for 30 days. Instead of "get fit," your 30-day goal might be something like "walk for 20 minutes everyday." Stick it out for 30 days, and you've got yourself a regular habit. Then you're ready to move on to the next challenge!
The small change I'm working on currently is bringing lunch to work every day. So far, I've been doing pretty well -- and saving a hefty chunk of cash in the process. After I'm done with this challenge, I have a few others in mind (no TV for 30 days, stop checking email in the morning, regular yoga practice, etc.).
Have any of you completed a 30-day challenge like this? If you could choose one habit to change, what would it be?
Ohhh you're back! Hooray! I try to bring my lunch to work a lot because it's cheaper and it's easier for me to control the health level of the meal! That's definitely a good one to work on!
I like that 30 day idea! It sounds good. I haven't tried anything like it though.
Good luck!
I am glad I read this today. iam in the process of breaking down my goals into a more managle task. My 30 goal is to drink at least 8 glasses of water. Thanks for the reminder that big changes come from the little details.
for me the KEY small change was waterwaterwater.
pairing every diet coke (I know) with TWO BOTTLES.
I soon quit the dc :)
I am going to take the stairs instead of the elevator, and replace my 15 minute coffee break with 3 separate additional trips up the stairs from the basement to the roof level. Because I work with Carly, and will drag her along with me, she gets two changes for one : ) Feel the burn, girlfriend!