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I'd like to introduce you to my 30/30 rule. I don't know if it's really a rule since I just made it up. Not the concept, but the cute little graphic on the side. Hmm, guess I should probably TRADE MARK it, if I'm going to be using it. The idea is that you can change your life in 30 days with just 30 minutes a day.
How do I know this? I don't. But nobody on the internet does either. Ask anyone, including the experts, how long it takes to change a behavior into a habit and you'll get answers as varied as 21 days, 30 days, 90 days and Forever. Backed by no scientific evidence, whatsoever, I came up with my own 30/30 plan. I wanted to try and put balance back in my life in some small measurable way. My guess is there's no magic number for that. But I'm a big fan of kitchen timers so I'm taking ownership of the notion that a positive change can be made by doing something positive 30 minutes a day for 30 days.
I'm not a big fan of word count goals, but as writers we look for inspiration and motivation where ever we can find it. Following the 2008 presidential election 100 Words for 100 Days was coined to encourage people to write 100 words to the president about his first 100 days in office. Writers' adopted their own version. Make writing a habit by setting the small attainable goal of 100 words for 100 Days. No excuses.
An unbroken chain of 100 writing days is a real commitment. Do you have to start over at Day 1 if you miss a day? And what about writing to such a low word count (yes, I know you can go over)? But come on it would take more than 2 years to write the first draft of a Superromance.
An unbroken chain of 100 writing days is a real commitment. Do you have to start over at Day 1 if you miss a day? And what about writing to such a low word count (yes, I know you can go over)? But come on it would take more than 2 years to write the first draft of a Superromance.
Knowing me I'm sure I'd put in more than one excruciating 10 hour day trying to come up with those 100 words.
At the other end of the spectrum is NANOWRIMO's 50,000 Words in 30 Days. I've spent this past week preparing for National Novel Writing Month 2011. Which means blocking out the month of November to write. Not exactly a moderate goal. I've participated twice before and have yet to reach the 50,000 word mark. I'd really like to cross that finish line once. Just to say I did it. But that's a lot of chair time. And I hate the thought of having to buy bigger sweat pants.
Knowing my writing comfort zone falls somewhere between 100 words a day and 50,000 words a month, and that stopping is sometimes harder than getting started, I find writing in blocks of time to be very effective. And how I came up with 30 Minutes for 30 Days.
I don't know if I can commit every waking moment to NANOWRIMO, but I can commit to writing 30 minutes a day for 30 days. And because I know there are going to be long stretches in the chair over the next month. I also plan to exercise 30 minutes a day for 30 days. And that's my 30/30 rule.
From small commitments come big changes. Care to join me? I'm starting November 1st. But you can pick any start date for your 30/30 and share your goal. It also doesn't have to be writing related. Just think of something you wish you had more time for :) And remember to keep it SMART.
S Simple
M Measurable
A Accountable
R Realistic
T Timed
I'll be giving away a $25 amazon.com gift card to one lucky commenter.
Knowing my writing comfort zone falls somewhere between 100 words a day and 50,000 words a month, and that stopping is sometimes harder than getting started, I find writing in blocks of time to be very effective. And how I came up with 30 Minutes for 30 Days.
I don't know if I can commit every waking moment to NANOWRIMO, but I can commit to writing 30 minutes a day for 30 days. And because I know there are going to be long stretches in the chair over the next month. I also plan to exercise 30 minutes a day for 30 days. And that's my 30/30 rule.
From small commitments come big changes. Care to join me? I'm starting November 1st. But you can pick any start date for your 30/30 and share your goal. It also doesn't have to be writing related. Just think of something you wish you had more time for :) And remember to keep it SMART.
S Simple
M Measurable
A Accountable
R Realistic
T Timed
I'll be giving away a $25 amazon.com gift card to one lucky commenter.
47 comments:
I wish I had more time for my craft work. It is doable if I am SMART.
Good advice. Time management is key. 30 minutes of exercise makes a difference in my day. It is still hard to fit it all in 24 hours.
I like the concept and I like the design. You should trademark that :)
I'm hopelessly unorganized and my writing gets edged out quite often, so I wish, wish, wish I could get it together enough to have a daily schedule. But that never seems to happen no matter what my plans are.
Good luck with NaNoWriMo....and as for excercise I always cheat. I use Couch to 5K for running and I set up walking scedules with a friend so I'm accountable.
I wish I routinely made time to exercise more, and I know that doing something consistently for a relatively short period of time (like your 30 days) can help to make it a habit. In my pre-child days, I made it a habit to exercise about 40 minutes a day 5 days a week, and I kept that habit for about 4-5 years. As a result, I was in the best physical shape of my life.
Then my very high-maintenance baby came along. When she wasn't literally attached to my body nursing, she needed to be changed or bathed or whatever, and the calories that I burned off nursing convinced me that it was okay to slack off. After all, I lost the baby weight in no time at all.
It was when she quit nursing that I was in trouble. She was still high-maintenance (as children are and especially this one, it seems to me), and by then I'd fallen out of the habit of exercising. Excess weight found me (in spades!). Now I'm trying to ease back into a good exercising habit, trying not to overdo it so that soreness will give me an excuse to slack off yet doing something that challenges me a little bit physically. So far, I haven't managed to go more than about a week with my good habits before something comes up. Then I have to start again.
So good luck with your 30/30 program!
I don't know whether you can trademark it or not, but hey, it's catchy.
I had a similar revelation last year, and applied it specifically to exercising. 30 straight days. There's truth in whatever you do for 30 straight days starts to become habit. Notice I said "starts". I think you truly have to do something at least 90 days straight before it becomes ingrained, but 30 days is enough to shift your thinking and to achieve enough result to encourage you to continue on.
Here's the benefit of my experience with "winning" a 30 day challenge: http://bit.ly/v2y1S0
Great motivation. I'm with you on the writing goal. I'm going to do Nano, and I know I'll have a few marathon days, which are great for upping the word count. But I've also discovered I get cranky if I don't write at least something every day.
I started a new part time job yesterday, so I need to get a lot more organized, but I know I can do it. The writing that is. As far as excercising... well, if I can make it twice a week I'll be happy.
I'm doing NaNo too. Not sure I'll write for 30 straight days, although I'll certainly try. But the 30 day target is a great goal.
Rogenna, an intriguing idea. I just started working (again) on getting control of the papers in my life. Remember when computers were going to replace papers? Anyway, maybe I'll incorporate your idea. Who knows by the end of 30 I might have moved on to dust bunnies. Thanks for the help!
I need to commit to 30 min of exercise a day it would do wonders for me, if I would do it.
Fabulous post, Rogenna! I'm committing to 30 minutes of exercise a day throughout the month of November. I have to make up for all of those static hours sitting in front of the computer! My caveat is that it has to be AS WELL AS the walking I've started. I seriously need to get back some muscle tone. That will be a challenge.
I usually make some Christmas gifts, so the thirty minutes in thirty days concept would be ideal for that.
I got all turned on by your post, but there are more then one thing I could think of doing. So I decided to clean out my closets - try on clothe that fit/don't fit and sort them to give away to charity. Once and for all, I will not keep anything that doesn't fit anymore, just because, I might like it later on. I am in with you, the task will begin Nov 1st.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Ulrike V
Ro,
That's a brilliant idea. 30/30 is doable for anyone, even me. I'm thinking exercise. Thanks for the incentive.
Good luck with NaNo.
Hope you watched Hawaii Five-o this week. Alex without a shirt. Oh, oh, oh!
Sorry I'm so late checking in today. Our first snow of the season here in Colorado.
There predictions were wrong and my day just as unpredictable.
I left the house this morning, got half way to work and couldn't remember closing the garage door. I kept telling myself, I'm a creature of habit and that I did it and just didn't realize it. But wound up driving all the way home just to find the garage door closed.
More absent minded moments at work. Then having to juggle calls from snow crazed family and friends.
Anyway, I'm here now and checking in :)
Marybelle, I used to be more crafty than I am :) Sold a lot of my cross stitch project for a lot less money than what they were worth.
But the one project that I really hate that I sold were these "Sugar and spice..." and "Snips and snails..." pillows. I somehow convinced myself I would just stitch another set (which I never did) and let them go for probably the cost of materials.
runner10, I agree it's very hard to fit exercise in and yet it's so worth it! I'm guessing by your tag (runner10) that you probably make the time :)
Liz, you're not unorganized, you're a mom! You'll have to share your Couch to 5K method ;)
I think being accountable to a walking buddy is a good thing. I don't walk with anyone, but I see enough of the same people in the park every day that when I miss a few days I come prepared with an excuse.
SNOW??? We're actually having a lovely fall but cold with only a little rain.
30/30 - cute design. I promised my self 60/30 to do Nano. I think I will try a 30/30 walk the dog. She would love that and I'm too lazy.
JV, no need to beat yourself up. Most of us mommies have been there :)
Start with something smaller than 30 minutes if you have to. You can 10 Minutes for 10 Days :)
Love the idea, Rogenna. Might hit up the walking one...I need to get outside more for sure, particularly since the weather is turning into summer. Stuck at the computer is not a good look.
Karina
WTG, Patricia! Has everyone checked out her link on Winning Your 30-Day Challenge?
I'm here putting the cart before the horse and Patricia has already completed her own 30 day challenge.
Patricia, my favorite answer for making a behavior change was "Forever." Okay, maybe that wasn't my favorite, but it seemed the most realistic.
We are all works in progress.
I think I need to add the 30 minutes of exercise to my daily routine. I think it will work for me if I can break them down into ten minute increments.
Yeah! Kristina we can keep each other company!
Who else is doing NANOWRIMO? Oh, Patricia! I should have known you were up to the challenge.
I see Linda S. is doing it too.
And all you exercisers and any other 30/30 goal setters out there. I started a blog where I'm actually going to commit to tracking my day by day progress.
http://thirtyminutesthirtydays.blogspot.com/
Please feel free to join me in posting your own goals and accomplishments...ah, after I get my first post up, which isn't there yet, but will be sometime today...
Mary, that's a great idea! Although I haven't been to flylady.com in awhile, I believe that's where I first learned of applying the kitchen timer method for concurring clutter.
Virginia, you know you can. Start with 10 if you need to and work up to 30 ten days at a time!
Yeah, Mary S. I hear you.
My treadmill is as close as the next room. But do I get off my kester and use it while on deadline, Nooo.
I really want to get in the habit of sticking with the program while on deadline, which is why I'm challenging myself to commit to NANOWRIMO and
30 minutes of walking (outside when I can and treadmill when I can't) for the month of November.
Summer I like that idea a lot!
An Elf named Summer. What a great title for a children's book title, hmm...don't anyone steal that. I know you're all creative types
Yeah, Ulrike! I really like that people are applying this idea to different areas of their life. And you can always tackle another project next month!
Linda, I did get my weekly fix of 5-0 last night. If I was younger and thinner, I'd be stalking that man.
Just kidding, Alex, no need to take out a restraining order (yet!). But someday you and I are going to meet. Maybe I'll even write a screen play that will blast your star into the hemisphere.
Hmm, must think on that one. An Elf for Summer...
Your dog is going to love you, Linda S.
Yes, it's a snow day here. Yesterday was 80 degrees, btw...such is the weather in Colorado. All signs of snow will be gone by this weekend we're supposed to be back up into the 60s by then.
Meanwhile, the Prez was in town today (speaking at my son's college). Which means our little snow flurry will make the national news and the ski industry will have a banner year.
I asked my son, who ditched school today (the professor cancelled was his story) why he didn't go see the president and he said it was because he didn't want to wait in a 5 hour line for the free tickets. Shaking my head because IKEA just opened and people waited in line for days.
Okay, rub it in, Karina in NZ where it's "almost" summer .
Hmm...
Alex is an Aussie. (Yes, I know Australia and New Zealand are not the same country ;)
Forget the children's book and the elf..
Summer Down Under has a nice ring to it for my screen play, starring Alex O'loughlin.
Okay, we've added Jane to the exercise wagon!
I'm a goal-setter and I like the sound of your plan. For me, setting a goal gives me a finish line to look forward to and it motivates me. Even if I meet or exceed it, it's important that I TRY. Good luck everyone, whatever your goal is. If you start, you're on your way. Slowly and surely :)
I can think of so many things to do and that need doing but maybe a 30 minute walk would be the way to start. When I used to go for an hour walk every day, I felt so much better. It's time to start walking again even if it's only in the mall.
Thank you, Na!
Mall walking sound like a great place to start, Kaelee :)
Great idea, Ro. 30/30 sounds very achievable. My writing goal is a minimum 2000 words every day. When I'm on a roll I can do it but when I'm not, everything distracts me. It's nearly noon here and I've spent the morning on email, surfing a few websites and driving my daughter with the broken foot to the train station.
Going to start writing...now!
Set your timer, Joan! We'll be cheering you on.
I love your 30/30 idea. You should definitely trademark that, and write the book.
Like most folks, it'll be exercise for me.
30 minutes walk for 30 days - billiant.
I like the 30 minutes a day rule.
And wish you the best of luck.
A half hour of sitting down and doing something doesn't sound unreasonable & I would like to do 30 minutes of crafting or 30 minutes of reading a day. Or 30 minutes of writing things in my diary or for my blog.
Some days I sit down for over 1 hour working on a project and on other days I don't do anything fun, not even for 5 minutes... I really like the "smart" rule of a short time EVERY day.
We are all definitely works in progress, Rogenna. The other thing about a 30 day challenge to yourself is that it's not enough time to get bored, and when the 30 days are up, you can start a different challenge. Keeps life interesting and helps you move forward on a number of personal fronts.
Love the advice. I've heard that you need at least 2 weeks to form a habit. I need to make the effort to carve out time every day.
Great idea - I should use it for exercise, but i probably won't
Great post! I tried to post last night; had internet glitch. I try to walk every day....love it...but did miss 2 days last week. I need to discipline myself more in this!
Oooh, Ro! A woman after my own heart. I used to use a timer at work to remember to get up and move. Now, I have set one to remember to eat lunch. I need to budget my time better, too.
I love your graphic. Quick, write a book on the subject and get it out on Amazon. ;-)
Deb, who is "almost" all the way back from her vacation
LOL, Jackie. Thirty minutes a day of catching up on the Super blog :)
Tammy, at least you're being honest about it.
Chelle, somewhere between two weeks and forever sounds about right. Last year I turned exercise into a habit, I was going along great--to the point of really hating it if I had to miss a workout--then I came up against a deadline and just stopped so I could use that extra time to write.
In hind sight it was the wrong thing to do and I've had a hard time fitting in exercise now.
Hi Joanne, maybe I will write a book. I see Deb chiming with that encouragement too :)
Jo's Daughter, sounds like you have a crafty plan.
Patricia, I think I will keep going!
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