Are You Up for the Challenge?
What nine months does for the embryo,
40 early mornings
Will do for your growing awareness.
-Rumi
Ever think about changing or breaking a habit? Ever wish you hadn’t said that or done that, again? Ever wish making changes weren’t so hard? Well, what I am about to tell you may be of great help.
The 21 Habits in 21 Days Challenge is an opportunity for you to look at 21 habits you’d like to lose, replace or break in a matter of just 21 days.
What You’ll Need:
1. A notebook, notepad or journal
2. Your 21 habits to lose, break or replace
3. 21 days to work on the challenge
What it Looks Like:
Day One
Declare which habit you would like to give up, replace or be done with for good. Record it in your journal and then carry on with the rest of your day. When you see yourself going to this habit, notice it and stop it. Refrain from assuming the behavior you are attempting to break. You will notice that each time the behavior appears you will become more and more aware of it and being aware and determined to do something about it is the first step.
Day Two
Choose another behavior you wish to omit, alter or take on. Treat it like you did day one’s habit, but don’t forget to monitor day one’s habit as well.
Day Three
Choose a third behavior that you wish to give up, alter or replace. Add it to your list of behaviors from days one and two.
Days Four Through 21
For the rest of your 21 days, choose a new habit, write it down in your journal and practice the awareness technique I mentioned earlier.
My personal experience with this program has been wonderful. The process has been so freeing and I have more energy and a new found desire to take on new activities and challenges.
Here are just a few of the habits you may want to work on:
1. Complaining (when you’re stuck in traffic or doing a hard exercise at the gym)
2. Gossiping (It’s gossiping if you wouldn’t dare repeat what you’re saying if the subject could hear you.)
3. Fixing people (by telling people what they need to be doing, thinking or saying)
4. Worrying (about thinks you can’t change or the unknown)
5. Procrastinating (Stop putting things off to the last possible second.)
The list goes on and on! This exercise is actually pretty fun when you do it with a friend. Perhaps you have some of the same bad habits and could use the extra support.
The beauty of this exercise is that it pays off for everyone around you. Your energy will shift. People will notice the difference and you will even begin to look and feel younger, more vibrant and healthier. It is so worth taking on. I invite you all to do to 21 – 21 Challenge and then report back. I’d love to hear all the great things that have opened up for you in your life by taking this on.
10 thoughts on “Breaking Bad Habits: The 21 – 21 Challenge”
I have been fully now conscious of a particular habit I have and have been catching myself whenever it attacks- and that is FANTASIZING amuch tto much. I know it is a coping mechanisim- some people drink, smoke, do drugs, gossip etc, etc. I really do need to put it on the backburner because it is preventing me to stay on track with the goals I need to act on. I am trying to come up with the best thing to replace this over-fantasizing with. I could probably do some arithmetic, or just BE PERFECtLY STILL. Thank you for your 21 days of giving up aor replacing a bad habit. Best Wishes.
I want to take up this challenge but some of my habits are so deep that I feel they have control over me. Everytime I hear the inner voice saying this is not good for you, I somehow have a reason why it is ok….what happens if you cant control the voice that says it ok?
im gunna take on your challenge, the past two years have been horrific, and stressful to say bthe least… I havent really smiled in 2 years, just fear, scared, horrified, nervous stress, i feel more comfortable at this moment trying something that i really need maybe because i dont have to be around people, i dunno… but ok im guna try this for my healths sake
This is just what I needed that’s why I love news letters. This will enable me to make a transformation unlike anything ever before. I am one that believes that change starts with self, so I am enthused at the opportunity to rid myself of 21 habits. Kudos Amanda great article.
hi amanda,
wonderful article to get one thinking about healing bad habits.
i have heard it said that it takes 21 days to make or break a habit – yet that is only the beginning of the healing process. finding the core of ones habits/addictions can be tricky and usually one habit is replaced with another.
good habits help to keep our memorie and everyday activities when older (senior) years creep in solid.
habits give us a knowing, like finding the keys. if you put them in the same place (habit) all the time thats where they will be.
routines are habit forming too.
what a great topic, if you really want change in your life.
for me, i would tackle one habit at a time for 21 days, before i move on to the next so i don’t make myself crazy.
dieting and stopping smoking at the same time can really cause great stress.
i stopped using sugar for a month before i stopped drinking
coffee for a month before i stopped drinking diet soda. boy diet soad was the hardest, as it helped give me a boost to stay up late and work. but without all those toxins i feel better and can stay up pretty late on the natual. but it took me three months to accomplish getting off those three things out of my system.
some habits are rough to kick and time lines are different for each person.
this plan for 21 in 21 is an excellent starter to getting rid of the old and making room for the new.
thanks amanda for your wonderful ideas.
-quinn ext. 5484
This is great. I would just add one thing. Always admit the role you played in any situation. Many times, we will not admit that we could have used better judgement. Use better judgement and remember, “the biggest lie we tell, is to ourselves.
my side ( extra life pataner )Love & Relationships my life
What a great article. Spring is the time for change and renewal.
Thank you for your contribution Amanda. What a nicely organized journal to composing yourself. I am putting into practice to correct myself to my ideal ME. What I aspire for myself can no longer wait and wait and wait for some unforeseeable future when ‘everything else will be ok’. Now is the time. Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!!!
So smart !!This Will work !thankyou for your intelligent insight