The biggest and best changes in your life will always come from the smallest idea, action, or habit.
A fantastic way to add or remove habits in your life is to simply give them a test run. See how your life is with or without that particular habit. I’ve done this practice for many years now with various things and have dissolved and obtained many habits as a result of simply trying them out. I recommend doing it for a month, or 30 days, to get a full, and true experience. That gives you enough time to be accustomed to the new change, and gives you plenty of time to truly decide if you like living with or without that habit.
I’ve done this little trial with a variety of things, from reading more, going without TV, thinking happier thoughts, being more kind to people, 30 days of yoga, helping a stranger out everyday, switching to vegetarianism, to extreme things like existing in solitude, vows of silence, and living on the streets as a homeless person.
Some things I’ve tried and realized within a few days or a few weeks it wasn’t for me. Other things I tried for 30 days, and am still continuing on with even after years now. One of those was becoming vegetarian. In August of 2009 I tried it for 30 days, and here it is 2-1/2 years later and I’m still doing it. I love it, and will never go back. It’s been the absolute best thing I’ve ever done for not only my health, but for me overall in my life. I once lived as a homeless person on the streets of Salt Lake, which has been one of the most incredible and transformational experiences of my life. I didn’t do it for 30 days, but the experience of it was one of the most important and defining moments of my life. Even getting rid of TV for a while taught me incredible lessons and brought back my love for reading and learning. It’s been a few years now since I gave up TV, and still avoid it today. I do watch movies though – ones I selectively choose – the experiment was more to abolish the destructive programming done through the media along with the corporate world and their never ending commercials to buy more, have more, obtain more in order to experience happiness. Even doing trials where I tell myself everyday that I am amazing, incredible, beautiful and special have made a tremendous impact on my life. I want you to do the same!
Some of the most amazing things in my life have come about simply by forcing myself to try them out. Recognizing that I wasn’t happy, and made the choice to have something different. Sometimes I’ve tried things and tossed it aside. Other times it’s completely transformed me. But without trying things, without going for it, without being completely dedicated and making a change happen, I would have never progressed. You need to make changes, or changes will make you!!
I challenge you to open yourself up and make some changes in your life. Alter and abolish some habits. We all have things we aren’t happy with and would like to change. We all have things we’d like to improve on – SO LET’S DO IT! Let’s change our lives!
How to do it.
Identify. First you need to identify what it is you want to try for the 30 days. Want to exercise more? Want to read more? Want to eat healthier? Perhaps even simply telling your spouse you love them everyday. Or doing more activities with your children. Maybe simply telling yourself you are beautiful everyday! You can have more than one at a time if you wish, just keep it simple enough so you know you can focus and dedicate yourself to actually going through with it and not feel too over whelmed.
Purpose. Be clear on your purpose. Know what it is you want to gain from this new adventure. “I’m going to eat healthier so I can have more energy and focus for my job, my children, and myself.” Having a clear purpose and drive can keep your motivation levels up, and keep you dedicated.
Start. Let it begin! Set a clear starting point, and a clear ending point. It doesn’t always have to be at the beginning of a new month. After you’ve identified what it is you want to try with a clear purpose, start on the next available date. Even start the next morning. Delaying your start date will only give you more time to back out. The best time to make a change is RIGHT NOW!
Log. Keeping a log of your day will help you stay reminded and motivated to keep going with your trial. If you’re doing a health change, list how you’re feeling, what you’re eating, what your energy levels are per each day, and how your mindset is. Plus, it’s nice to look back on and see the progress.
Don’t Give Up. Implementing a new change is hard at times, especially within the first week or so. But don’t give up! Keep going and after a while you’ll notice it become more a part of your daily life. Do your best to make it the full 30 days. At the end of the cycle, you can decide whether or not to keep the new habit in your life, or get rid of it. 30 days isn’t a long time to try something, and you might be surprised at how easy it is to merge a new habit in your life, and the benefits it brings.
Keep it going. If you get to the end of your trial and find that you love the new habit or lifestyle, why stop? Keep it going. Or maybe you still haven’t decided and need more time; extend it another 30 days, and perhaps another after that. If you love it completely, make it a permanent part of your life.
Repeat. If you finish a trial on one thing, start up another. Even if you’ve given up on one before, identify a new one and start over. Have multiple ones running at the same time. Always be progressing in life – never sit idle. Keep it simple and start over.
Good luck! Feel free to let me know what you’re going to do! Remember, it doesn’t have to be a big or tough challenge. As I said at the top of this post, The biggest and best changes in your life will always come from the smallest idea, action, or habit. Start small, and keep going. Be excited and believe in yourself.
I’m Shaun, just a spirit trying to be human… Thanks for reading.
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