Let me start out by saying that I have 15 minutes to write this blog post. That is not my 30 Day Challenge specifically, but it's how I'm going to initiate it.
(Okay, I just failed the first day of my first 30 Day Challenge because my office roommate just lured me away with a massive container of free sushi... I couldn't help myself! But I'm back - fresh new 15 minutes starts now!)
Routine creates habit. Did you know that?
(Crap, I just checked my email... this is harder than I thought! My to-do list is screaming at me...)
Apparently, say the wise-women who I am lucky enough to know, if you schedule something for 15 minutes on your calendar, every day, for 30 days, it is believed that the routine you create for yourself will eventually become habit.
This theory seems to be a 1st cousin to "fake it until you make it" and maybe a 3rd cousin once removed to "dress for the job you want, not the job you have".
So this morning, in my bi-monthly business group, we were asked to take a 30 Day Challenge of our own choosing. We had to identify something in our lives that needed attention, but that we rarely make time for.
Some of the women in my group were quick to determine their answers, knowing that they needed (wanted) to spend 15 minutes every day writing, or furthering their relationships, or getting outside for a walk, or working on their business pipeline.
For me, there were 3 items on my list:
1. Exercise
2. Read design and/or fashion magazines
3. Work on my Semi-Custom invitations (the new business I am hoping to launch later this year).
Exercise is important, and I never have time (nor make time) for it. And exercise allows you to feel healthy, productive and calm; all which lead to being a better person/designer/mom.
Reading design and fashion magazines feels like a luxury to me, because I NEVER have time for it and the monthly issues of about 12 different periodicals pile up, like wobbly recyclable skyscrapers, in every room of my house. Plus, reading magazines is a great way to get inspired -- I love seeing what other designers have done in the world of architecture, interior design, weddings, organization, packaging, fashion, etc. I'll confess, I somehow manage to read US Weekly every time it shows up in my mailbox, but it's the only one that really isn't going to inspire me for my work!
Working on my Semi-Custom invites would help me get a head start with this new business that I have the intention of launching later this year. Starting to identify concepts I want to create, sketch out ideas, pick out color palettes, dream... this is something that I keep pushing off because "I'm too busy with work" but if I continue to be too busy I'll never launch my semi-custom concept.
While exercise is crucial, it's just going to have to wait until my next 30 Day Challenge! For now, I'm going to spend 15 minutes each and every day working on my new line of semi-custom invitations and announcements. And, wouldn't you know it... I think I'm going to need some design magazines in order to help me do it!
In a month's time, I hope to be able to share some wonderful progress and news, but for now my 15 minutes is up and I have to get back to my real to-do list!
If you were going to make one of your routines a habit, what would it be? And, most importantly, what would making this decision (making this 'thing' a habit) do for you?
30 Day Challenge, Day 1. Check!
Funny you should mention this, Jenn! I'm taking on the same 30-day challenge. Love it so far! But, tell me- is it really good enough to just "schedule it on your calendar" or do you actually have to DO something? I have scheduled yoga on my calendar every week for the last year, and don't think I went once. I guess I started a pretty good habit, but not quite the one I intended... Oh well! I'll try something different this time!
Kacey - you know what? I'll let you in on a little secret...
Every day I make a list of things "To Do". And every single day, the first item on my list is "Get up!". It's sort of an obvious 'to do' - DUH! - but if I can cross something off on my list, first thing, I feel more inclined to want to cross of more items on the list as the day progresses. It's like the instigating crosser-offerer!!
It's RARE that I ever cross off all my "to do" items, but like you suggested yesterday, if I did, then I'd just have to start a whole new list the next day, so why bother!!
What do you know, I, too, am doing that 30-day challenge. We must work with the same great coach! :-) Actually, do you know what's keeping me going more than writing it on my calendar or marking off the project in a visual manner somewhere? Knowing that I need to report back to the group how I'm doing.
Loved your blog post Jenn. Your writing style is as enjoyable as your conversational style--a mark of a good blog. :-)
Jenn, How is your 30 day challenge going?