Can you create a New Habit in 30 days?

Is it possible?

Can you do one thing for 30 days, and continue it for a lifetime?

Of course, we’re not talking about something detrimental whatsoever—we’re talking about learning healthy habits or stopping unhealthy ones!

It sounds easy, but like most things, it’s easier said than done.

First of all, you must prepare yourself both mentally and physically, for this to happen. You must want to change, and that requires that you make the mental adjustments in your mind to make the choice that you will.

And you can’t give up. In essence, you are making a promise to yourself to change one thing in your life for 30 days.

It could be as simple as brushing your teeth every morning and every night.

But, is this really easy?

Almost everyone brushes their teeth in the morning, however how many people brush their teeth twice a day?

People get busy, they’re tired, or they just want to go to bed. It takes mental discipline, thought, practice, and the desire to implement change.

What about you? What new habit would you like to adopt?

In Steve Pavlina’s post, 30 Days to Success, he gives examples from his own life; becoming a vegetarian, then going vegan, and exercising everyday for a year, which started with a 30 day time span.

Can you see yourself doing something beneficial for 30 days, and then deciding to stop?

I can’t.

Another way of looking at it is “Replacing Old Habits with New Habits.”

Like, drinking water instead of diet soda.

What habits can you change? What new habits do you want to develop?

This concept is endless.

It’s totally up to you and it’s not limited to only health habits that you may want to change.

Do you want to go back to school? Maybe you’re interested in taking up painting.

How about cutting your TV viewing in half? Or pledging to call a family member at least twice a week?

Maybe you want to write a blog post everyday. Or it could be as enjoyable as kissing your significant other at least three times per day.

These are all examples of making decisions to improve your habits, but they will also improve your general health and well-being.

An Iowa Avenue challenge:

You choose the habit that you would like to change, tell us about it.

I’ve created a new group, 30 Day Challenge, just for this purpose.

Do you really need accountability? If you do, this is the perfect forum for you.

My goal is to improve my exercise habits to be able to fitness walk the LA Marathon.

My targeted habit improvement:

Increase my mileage by 10% each week over the course of the next 30 days.

For example: Because I currently walk an average of 40 miles per week, for the next 30 days, I’ll walk:

What about you? What habits do you want to change? What new habits do you want to start?

You don’t have to make your decision now. It takes time to think and plan what you think is best for you.

For the “30 Day Challenge,” any start date you want that is comfortable for you is the way to go--it’s all about you, what you want, how you want it, and when you want it.

Changing bad habits or creating new ones is a win/win situation, because

After all, it’s about a healthy lifestyle!

© Iowa Avenue

Photo courtesy of littledan77