We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.
- Aristotle
We all know that, with a little willpower, it takes roughly 30 days for a person to form a new habit. As with mastering everything new, starting and getting beyond the ‘Feck it’ stage where everything feels awkward is 80% of the battle. This is precisely why it will take 30 days to make whatever changes your head desires!
Realistically, how many life changes can you make and actually stick to? Gym five times a week? Ah hear now! No TV for the month? Dude the Olympics are on! This Studenty challenge (yup I’m reeling you in!) will be like the old saying: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” The same notion will be true of making these changes and having less tomorrow syndrome! Taking small steps each day of what you decide – taking pictures, exercise a little, creating funky dishes, for example –will be a great way to get super on form before college in September.
And when you start small like this, you won’t need a lot of motivation either. Simply doing something will give you the momentum you need, and soon you’ll find yourself building one Lego block on the other.
Below lays the 30 challenges to be accomplished. Deep breaths! No, you don’t have to attempt everything. Remember no ones choking on the elephant with me! Just pick 2 to 4 and stick to them for the next 30 days with NO excuses!
Now before you ask, Yes I am going to start doing this too! I will outline in a video tonight which of the 30 things below I am doing. Plus each day I will check back to see how your going and if you have anything funky to add!
Still not pushed then let Cake be your inspiration:
“As soon as your born you start dying
so you might as well have something to live by”
30 Day Challenge!
#1 Write an I-think Your cool because note/text/email each day for someone (Easy)
Perfect way to let someone else know you think there awesome! We can be so mad busy these days or so far apart from our buds that we can lose touch. Even if something has left a bit of a taste in the air, now’s your chance to change it. Surely you will make people smile, 30 days in a row!
#2 Talk with one stranger each day (Hard and Awkward)
Have you ever resisted talking to someone because you were afraid? Have you ever walked so far to him/her and just turn around mid way? Have you ever felt so awkward round someone words seem to just evaporate? Then this is a 100 % MUST!! You and me bud. 30 strangers of both sexes in thirty days! In the end we will discover that they are all just people and theirs nothing weird about chatting to new faces. Right?
#3 Learn a good party trick (Middle of the road)
I mean a good draw dropping, I can’t believe it’s not butter, OMG reaction! Give a Google, watch the DVD Born to Perform” with Oz Perlman. I will be doing a special feature on this particular challenge also so either way you will be sorted.
#4 A picture a day (Grand)
This one is great if you’re looking to give life to your dust collecting camera. Now you make a list of what ever you like but here is the list I made, if looking for divine inspiration. (1) What you think of today (2) handwriting (3) Something odd (4) your phone (5) dinner (6) Scenery (7) A doodle on a vegetable/fruit (8) Now you make a list of what ever you like but here is the list I made, if looking for divine inspiration. (1) What you think of today (2) handwriting (3) Something odd (4) your phone (5) dinner (6) Scenery (7) A doodle on a vegetable/fruit (8) our favourite fruit (9) your bedroom (10) A pair of shoes (11) Favourite Superhero (12) Sweets (13) Something about the Summer (14) Favourite quote (15) Family (16) Peace (17) Something you want (18) Fun (19) Inspiration (20) a couple (21) Anything (22) Something Irish (23) Jewellery (24) Clothing (25) A pet (26) Drink (27) Friends (28) 11’O Clock (29) Place you want to go (30) Finished This one is great to combine with other challenges to help you keep going as the man says.
#4 Re-evaluate one long-held belief each day (Grandish)
Questioning your own beliefs is a known way to rid yourself of bullshit who’ve picked up along the way. And who hasn’t? For example my notions that it’s the greatest idea on earth to have a dazzling bowl of crunchy nut lathered in lustiest maple syrup before bed. Lies! It doesn’t make the rubbish on TV any better or the films or make you sleep better! Get the drift? This will if anything open your mind to new knowledge or put ole shenanigans like mine to bed.
#5 Take a 30 minute walk/run/crazy dance time each day (Easy if you’re not after a night on the town)
All the above is healthy, relaxing and mood boosting. And it is both easy and free! Student deal right there! If you don’t want to go alone then find a bunch of willing friends. So if your feeling the couch the others will get toosh in line!
#6 Try a new recipe each day (Middle of the road)
If you want to learn how to cook you need to cook, cook, cook!! Makes sense right? Forcing yourself to try a new recipe each day is a great way to (a) save some mula (b) learn some techniques to impress and (c) most importantly give Gordon Ramsey a run for his money. (Well it could happen!)
#8 Keep away from alcohol for 30 days in a row! (Hard I know)
Go on say it. WTF Carmel! Look if you want to save some cash before college kicks off (eh yeah) or give your liver a bit of a break (you know it needs one) this is then your new pint! Even if you don’t want to stay away completely, try cutting down on the amount that you may usually consume. (Yes I am going to miss my beautiful pint of Heineken but benefits wining their way to moi) P.S Take a course of Milk thistle if you’re taking this challenge on. It’s a wonder for detoxifying your liver and naturally boosting your energy.
#9 Write that film, play or whatever you have on the back-burner (Hard)
Still trying to find the right time? Ding. Its time! You have approximately
162 hours each week to make progress. So less of your chat and off with you!
#10 Learn to draw or create something (Middle of the road)
Heard of “how to” on You Tube? Thought you might. There couldn’t be more ‘how to’ youtube videos on drawing and crafting if you ever wanted to do so. So less Facebook stalking and more You Tube!
#11 Watch a documentary a film each day (Easy)
Always wanted to know every bit about a subject? Always wanted to see the classic you missed? (Don’t ask why I haven’t seen Forest Gump. Deprived, I know.) Well you know you’re in luck with this thing called “the internet”! Check TruthTheory.org, Watch this now or call on a friend’s advice. (Don’t forget to share the love and pass on your wisdom here)
#12 Read a chapter each day (Grandish)
I know it. You know it. Even the bellowing cow outside my window knows we should be reading more frequently. Whatever excuse you have and I’m sure its very legitimate (*coughs* lies), lets not have it! Lets have the answer. A chapter a day. Not too taxing right? Do it old school before bed or where ever is comfiest and get cracking open those stories.
#13 Know something inside out (Hard)
Want to know everything about man watching? Irish history? How to stay sane (such a good book!) Pick an area, plan some exercise of it ever day and voila you will be your very own Einstein! Plus it will help with the stranger talk if you’re taking up that challenge. (Once there actually interested!)
#15 No swearing (Middle of the road)
If you are or turning into a feck this feck that individual, then its time for some Father Jack detoxification. Instead come up with some funny alternatives (open to suggestions) or make a bet out of it in the house with a swear jar. Just think of the bragging rights you will earn at the end of it!
#16 No Lying (HARD)
Now this will be hard especially if you have become quite accustomed to little white lies, like me! Sometimes a little white lie is good but trying to remember the story. Nightmare doesn’t even come close! (Don’t even ask, I have too many stories) So take the stress out of generating white lies and be good and honest for these next 30 days.
#17 Inspire yourself each day (Easy peasy)
Research has shown that people who are inspired are happier, nicer, productive and will be more stable if some difficult happens. Start stumbling on some quotes that you can live by. Pin them up on your wardrobe or where ever you can best see them. Here’s one to start you of
“Dream as though you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die tomorrow”
#18 Wake up early sleepy head (Middle of the road)
Waking up early is great (so I’m told, anyway) for uplifting ones mood and boosting ones natural energy levels in general. Go on sleeping beauty give it a go!
#19 Think of an accomplishment you’d like to achieve each day (Middle of the road)
Freak out at the “where do you see yourself in five years time” question, well then this is certainly a challenge for you! This will certainly get rid of your tomorrow syndrome and allow you to look at achieving those talked about “things to do “. If you don’t try it now , when are you going to try it?
#20 Combine Challenges (Easy)
Try fit a few more juicy challenges into the ones you have been talking about doing forever. So snap a pick of you with a stranger drinking water for example. Try different challenges out every day. This way you’ll get to try more while still staying focused on the task at hand.
#21 Doing something that scares you (Hard)
Churchill once said “the only thing to fear is fear itself”. True, yes? What ever your fear popping balloons, the good old spider, face them and show them who’s boss.
#22 Meditate each day (Middle of the road)
Stressed? Want to try something a little bit different? Then find a class, book or video and take some you time each day. According to the people in the know, best times are either the evening or in the morning.
#23 Master a language (Middle of the road)
French? Spanish? Gaeilge? Take what ever one you want and get into it. What’s the point in having a love for language if you don’t start getting out and learning it. If that’s not motivation then this cold fact is – every two weeks a language dies out. At the moment I am sharpening my Irish in the Aran Islands and hopefully no longer being the girl with the “beagaini” Irish. (P.S Watch this space for some night lingo)
#24 Keep a Diary (Hard)
Everyone has some scrap of one they start, stop for a couple of years and then surface for a day’s entry. Ridiculous doesn’t even describe it! Set aside a copy and a pen of some description on your locker for your days account each night. In the end it will (a) let you see how far you’ve come on the challenge. While (b) being a bit of history for you or whoever’s eyes cast upon it in the future.
#25 Remix your clothes (middle of the road)
Fair enough you don’t want ever picture of you in the same get up. But really is remixing pieces so wrong? Guys and Girls alike have stuff in the wardrobe which haven’t seen the light of day for one reason or another. Instead of moaning or spending the last of your dwindling funds, mix it up. Team a never seen before t-shirt with your favourite jeans. This way you will have the best of both worlds and save some cash.
#26 Get to know you (Hard)
Do you practise self –love? (This doesn’t mean arrogance) Are you hard on yourself? Do you know what makes you essentially you? Over the thirsty days give a thought to such statements. Look at who you are and see if you should begin to cut yourself a break. Society may shun the likes of this trivia but you shouldn’t let that stop you. Take a look over the thirty days and see where you stand.
#27 Try something old (Middle of the road)
Confused? Let me explain. Is there something like roller balding, fishing and other such things which are old to everyone but you? (Or is that just me?) Then grab someone who has and give the old a new lease of life. Who knows you me be the next greatest thing!
#28 Get rid of the mess? (Hard)
Got e-mails from 2008? A bombsite of a bedroom? Friends overload on Facebook? Make a mess list and start working through it. Believe me there’ll never be a perfect time to do this no matter what fibs you tell yourself.
#29 Try some new tunes (Middle of the road)
While we all simply adore musical gods like The Beatles, Nirvana, The Ramones and so forth, but nothings wrong with a new lease of life. If you find that you’re continually listening to the same ten tunes 24/7, then take the time to check out some fresh lyrics. Hot press, You Tube, Friends play lists are all great ways to get bopping to new souls and enjoying the greatest gift on earth –music.
#30 Make a what you have learned collage/video response or slide show of snapped challenge pictures (Easy)
Firstly, Give yourself a welcomed “woo hoo”! Look at where you were at the beginning and acknowledge how far you have come in just thirty days. Look at maybe continuing on with some of the challenges or give some others a try.
Up for the challenge? Good! ( I am just going to presume a yes anyways) Keep checking in here each day and on the ole You tube for a feature on each of the challenges with an update of how I am holding in. Meanwhile, if you have some challenges, thoughts or suggestions on this 30 days list then don’t hesitate. Comment below! So what are you still doing here! Get on it now.
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