Why the 30-day Challenge Worked (with a June Challenge)
During the month of May, dozens of people signed up for the Zen Habit May Challenge, and I’m pleased to say that it was a ringing success!
The Challenge worked for many of the participants, due to their hard work, and the power of group motivation.
Let’s take a look at what we did and why the 30-day Challenge works.
First, the Challenge is simply a way to form a habit by trying to do something every day for a month — and at the end of the day, if it’s successful, you’ll have a new habit. I challenged myself to 30 straight days of exercise, and while many other people who joined the Challenge decided to do some form of exercise as well, it really doesn’t matter what your habit is. Some people decided to try to wake early, or to drink more water, or to meditate, or to get to work early.
Everyone signed up for the daily check-in email, which I send out once a day with a progress report on everyone’s habit (well, for those who reported in for that day). There were times when people struggled, and some didn’t report in, but there was a strong group of people who did an amazing job during the month of May (and you all know who you are!).
There were some who exercised every single day, or almost every day. Others woke earlier, or got to work earlier. Others meditated, did yoga, drank water, walked … all kinds of positive life changes occurred, and it was truly inspiring.
Here’s what worked:
- Commitment. Just the act of committing to the Challenge, and setting a measurable goal, and declaring it to a bunch of others, is a huge step towards making the habit change a success.
- Accountability. The daily check-in email makes you want to do your daily habit, so you can report your success to others. If you don’t want to report, you don’t have to, so there’s no real fear of embarrassment, but there is a positive feeling (reward) you get when you report that you did your habit today.
- Encouragement. There is also value in reporting your struggles. For example, when I got sick for a few days, I asked the group to motivate me. They were extremely encouraging, and I got back into my habit. But it wasn’t just for me — people encouraged each other, and it was very heart-warming. And not just encouragement for the habit changes — there were people who went through other things in their lives, and the group lent their encouragement, prayers, thoughts and feelings. It was touching, I have to admit.
- Inspiration. When you see everyone else doing so great, it’s inspiring. If they can do it, so can I! And there were some really inspiring people in the group — a lot of them!
Now, you don’t need to join the Zen Habits Monthly Challenge to achieve a positive habit change, but I would recommend you find a group — online or off — to help you stick to your habit change. There are plenty of online forums and community groups to help with these kinds of things — the power of a group can help leverage your power to change a habit.
This post is not only to analyze why the Challenge works, but to announce the June Challenge!
For myself, my June Challenge is to continue my daily exercise habit change while cutting sweets out of my diet.
I invite you join the June Challenge by signing up in the comments below. If you sign up in the comments, I will sign you up for the daily email. If you were in the May Challenge, you will still need to sign up below if you want to continue into the June Challenge.
A couple of guidelines:
- Choose an easy goal. Don’t decide to do something really hard, at least for now. Later, when you’re good at habit changes, you can choose something harder. But for now, do something you know you can do every day.
- Choose something measurable. You should be able to say, definitely, whether you were successful or not today. If you choose exercise, set a number of minutes or something similar (20 minutes of exercise daily, for example). Whatever your goal, have a measurement.
- Be consistent. You want to do your habit change at the same time every day, if possible. If you’re going to exercise, do it at 7 a.m. (or 6 p.m.) every day, for example. This makes it more likely to become a habit.
- Report regularly. I would recommend you check-in every day, or at least every 2 days. Those who checked in every day were much, much more successful than those who didn’t.
So challenge yourself this month!
- Posted on 1 June 2007 in Habits |
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Comments (207)
Gert Says:
June 1st, 2007, 8:23 am
Hmm, sounds very interesting!
You can add me to the list. Starting next tuesday, I want to get up at 5 AM every day!
Thanks!
Jennifer Says:
June 1st, 2007, 8:31 am
I didn’t stick with the May challenge but I’m *determined* to stick with the June challenge… and I now how several weeks of my diet under my belt to help me with commitment this month.
My plan is to exercise *daily* - maybe only 15-20 minutes, but every day.
Please add me to the email list.
Lesley Says:
June 1st, 2007, 8:32 am
This is my first challenge! Today is moving day, life transition day, and this month will take place in different locations with different roles. My first goal is thus to walk daily for a minimum of 20 minutes in the morning. As I am moving closer to work, I will do this every day I am going into work but I will also walk on weekends. If I am not in town, I will walk 20 minutes but expect it will be later in the day. Cheers to all you habit formers.
Mollie Says:
June 1st, 2007, 8:32 am
I’m on again for exercise challenge and I’m adding taking a photograph everyday. This is to work toward my goal of becoming a better photographer. Sign me up for the emails again, please. Thanks bunches Leo, glad you’re feeling better.
maccnl Says:
June 1st, 2007, 8:43 am
That’s funny Mollie. I have the same goal: becoming a better photographer. Therefore I want to take a picture every day, inspired by the 72-hour on http://www.tipsfromthetopfloor.com/forum . Every evening I want to determine my challenge… (today it’s “animal, vegetable, mineral” - a bit difficult to start with…)
Krystal Says:
June 1st, 2007, 8:44 am
I am going to start out small and commit to reading the habits mantra from a previous challenge three times a day, morning, after lunch and at bedtime. Thanks Leo and everyone for all your inspiration.
David Says:
June 1st, 2007, 8:46 am
Please sign me up!
Des Says:
June 1st, 2007, 8:48 am
This sounds like a fantastic idea. Starting next Monday I’m going to be getting up at 5.30am.
Terry Says:
June 1st, 2007, 8:53 am
Count me in Leo!
Looking forward to more inspiring ‘habit changing’.
Stephen Says:
June 1st, 2007, 8:56 am
Same idea as Gert and Des, I want to make a habit of getting up at 6am.
Sign me up!!!
mrisi Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:01 am
I’m in, for the month of June I will go running every 2 days, at least 2km each time.
Soroush Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:04 am
Leo, please add me to the list as well.
I want to start waking up early and sleeping earlier. I’ve actually started it for a week now, hope that’s not cheating! :P
Filipe Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:06 am
Sign me up, please.
Jose Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:07 am
I started well for the first 2 weeks but then got ill. I’m still up for the challenge. Don’t forget to sign me up Leo. I’m still around!
Balfour Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:09 am
I’m in for my 3rd Challenge! In the first, I quit diet Coke and in the second, I changed my work arrival time to 8 am. For this one, I want to lose one pound a week. I’ll have subgoals to accomplish this, so I may join you in quitting sweets, Leo!
Mark Morgan Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:15 am
Write 30 minutes a day, every day. It sounds like a pansy goal but dude. Seriously. I just can’t seem to get it together otherwise.
David Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:17 am
I am working on getting a blog going and improving my writing (quantity & quality), to that end I want to spend at least 20 minutes every day in June writing content for that blog.
With any luck, I’ll be able to have the blog launched by the end of the month!
Mary Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:18 am
My goal is to get up earlier during the week (I am not ready to give up my weekends of sleeping in). I have three kids and a long work commute so every morning is a mad rush. Starting on Monday I want to get up at 6 am, so I can have a little quiet time to myself before waking everyone up.
Deb Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:18 am
Please include me in the June Challenge.
Deb:I am going to try the exercise daily habit - again. And I want to drink at least 6 glasses of water a day. As well as the daily check-in - I am working out a points reward system - such as 5 points for reaching my goal, minus 10 if I miss it, and an extra point for each glass of water above 6. Any suggestions are appreciated.
David Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:19 am
Mark- you say 30 minutes? I’m going to struggle to hit 20!
Regardless, I don’t think that is a pansy goal at all - good luck!
Mary Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:19 am
Sorry, I mistyped my email!!!
Yanik Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:22 am
Hi Leo, Love your blog! Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Please sign me up for this challenge. My goal is to laugh every day, meditate every day and play outside with my son every single day. Wouhou! Fun!
Kim Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:24 am
I love this site - it’s the first one I check every morning. Sign me up. I’m going to do 15-20 minutes of walking (outdoors or on the treadmill) every day.
Rob Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:24 am
This is great. After seeing last months a bit late I started running every morning before work. So that’s my goal for this month…at least 15 mins of exercise each day.
Nuno Rodrigues Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:30 am
Hi! The challenge idea is great. I want sign up with the goal of doing at least 1 hour of exercise per day.
Good luck to all your challenges!
Carla Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:34 am
Sounds like a great idea. Please sign me up. I’ve already succeeded in getting into the exercise habit and am now exercising five or six days a week. So I know I can change habits. My challenge will be to write at least 1,000 words of my novel every day.
David S Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:39 am
I’m in. My goal will be to excercise for at least 30 minutes each day.
Yorkshire Bob Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:42 am
This is great, please sign me up. I managed to get up at 4am this morning (Yawn) and I’m going to continue.
Good luck everyone.
John-o Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:45 am
Excellent motivation tool. I am signing up with the goal of getting an early morning routine of exercising, the sauna and paper reading… ohhh let’s say 6:15 to start…
Betsey Says:
June 1st, 2007, 9:47 am
The May challenge was great.
This month I am going to continue exercising every day, now for a half hour a day. Additionally, I am going to get up by 7am each morning, and either run or shower right away.
I would love to continue getting the emails.
Ian Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:00 am
This is great. I really like this site, and love the 30-Day challenge concept.
I have a guitar that I’ve tried to learn, off and on, for a while. I’m challenging myself to practice for at least one hour, everyday, for the month of June!
Good luck to everyone else and his/her 30-Day challenge(s)!!!
elizabethb Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:00 am
I want to get into work by 9.25 every weekday
Jess Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:03 am
I’m in! I’ve been horrible at trying to start an exercise routine on my own, so I think I’ll start with Leo’s example of 20 minutes a day.
Sam Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:04 am
I started on the May challenge mid-may with the goal of making it to work by 8am every day. I missed 2 days, but one of those was only by 2 minutes. So I feel I’m doing pretty well considering I didn’t have any outside support. So in addition to continuing to get to work on time every day, I am going to try to walk for 20 minutes a day, starting at lunch today.
Morelos Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:06 am
I’ve been an avid reader for quite some time now and it’s the first time I write here. Count me in for the challenge. I am an aspiring sci fi writer and I can’t get off my mind the thought I need to publish a book. Thing is I normally don’t have time due to my job… and I admit it, videogames.
So, starting today I commit myself to write at least an hour a day as soon as I get up in the morning at 5:20am.
Question… how do I sign up for the emails? Thanks Leo! Morex, your reader from Mexico City.
Harry Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:06 am
I would like to lose some weight by dieting or exercise and bring the number of cigarettes I smoke per day under 10. Please sign me up!
Barry Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:10 am
Ok, I’m in. For the month of June, I will do my lower back stretches every day.
Anwen Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:13 am
Hi Leo and everyone - found your blog only yesterday and already love it. I would like to sign up for the June challenge - It’s just what I need! - and will commit to 15 minutes of decluttering everyday. Thank you and best of luck to everyone.
Matt Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:23 am
My goal is to get up at 6 am every day. It’s hard getting up that early, but I’m much more productive in the morning, and making it a habit will help me get more accomplished.
Douglas Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:26 am
Hi everyone, the challenge for this month for me and my wife is going to be eating at home every day. That is the number one budget buster that we have. Wish us luck and best of luck to everyone else.
CeCe Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:28 am
I’d like to join the June challenge. My goal will be more excercise ~ mind & body!
Andrew Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:29 am
@Mark - I’m with you on the 30 minutes of writing a day. Let’s see if I can do it this month.
Mikey D Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:30 am
Please count me IN Leo. 30 minutes of treadmill work per day for the month of June. This is something that I’ve tried in the past with limited success but with the encouragement from the group here, I’m sure that collectively, we’ll have some great achievements in the next 30 days!
Alex Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:34 am
I love your site, you actually make the concept of habit changing tangible, which is very inspiring! Please sign me up for the challenge, which this month will be to get a good 20 minute walk in everyday.
Good luck to everyone!
Lise Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:36 am
Sign me up! I’d like to try to exercise 20-30 minutes a day. Usually it’s easiest for me to do this at my lunch time, but I can do it before or after work if that doesn’t work out.
Marina Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:37 am
This time last year, I spent two strong hours a day at the gym and loved it. Extensive international travel knocked me off that wagon, but I’m jumping back on. This is a great idea! Over the next 30 days, I will complete the Cool Running “Couch-to-5K” program, but twice as fast (six runs per week instead of the suggested three).
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml if anyone’s interested.
Julie Q Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:39 am
Please sign me up. I really need to cut out the sweets!
Leland Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:44 am
Count me in for June. I’ll be trying to get back into my May Challenge habit of doing at least 20 minutes exercise every morning, and adding the goal to write for 20 minutes every day.
Jim R Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:52 am
Sign me up! I’m going to exercise for 30 minutes a day.
Len Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:53 am
This is my first challenge… And there are a number of things I’d like to do, but to keep it realistic, I’ll focus on one: I’m in for doing at least 20 minutes of exercise every day, starting with today.
Thanks Leo, and good luck to all!
Jean Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:53 am
At first I thought I’d declare some Great Productivity Goal like
Pick one MIT every day and do it
It sounds so simple but I think it may be too challenging to do as my first challenge so I’ll start simple:
pick up and put away my clothes, every day
I know it sounds simple and too easy but it is really amazing how my clothes pile up all over my bedroom. I’ve tried working on this as a habit and failed so now I’m telling everyone here that I have one simple goal for June :)
If I can do this, next month I’ll try the clutterbuster challenge:
put things back where they belong, immediately after use/acquisition/discovery (or at least make sure the person who should, like my two teeny tikes, does)
Silvia Says:
June 1st, 2007, 10:54 am
My goal is to take 1 picture of myself a day. Please sign me up for this!!
:)
Les W Says:
June 1st, 2007, 11:03 am
Hi, I just started reading your site in the last week and think its great.
So what do I want to make a habit? I want to do at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and drink more water as well as keep to a healthy diet. So no sweets, crisps, cheese (love my cheese) or fizzy/alcoholic drinks for me.
Gary Says:
June 1st, 2007, 11:10 am
This sounds just like what I need. You can count me in!!! I want to wake up no later than 4:45 each weekday morning. Sign me up with this goal. (I say no earlier because some mornings I have to be at work one to two hours early, so on those days it will be 3:45 and 2:45 respectively.)
Cec Says:
June 1st, 2007, 11:10 am
Please sign me up…new to blog, new to change!
Beth Says:
June 1st, 2007, 11:14 am
I’ve tried just about everything to get into this habit, so hopefully this will help: my goal is to meditate for at least 10 minutes a day.
Brian S Says:
June 1st, 2007, 11:23 am
Sure, I’m in. I’ll get into the shower by 6:10 every morning.
I also succeeded in a self-inflicted challenge a couple months ago when I chose to freelance as an IT project manager. Every day I reached out to make contact with someone who I haven’t talked with for a while. Friends, former co-workers, family. I doubt it’s sustainable as a regular habit, but it’s certainly a great way to build your network, and the dividends (i.e., tangible job opportunities and the satisfaction of getting back in touch) pay back fairly quickly!
Brian Says:
June 1st, 2007, 11:25 am
Please sign me up. I’m going to get up at 6am every morning (except for the mornings when I get up at 5am to go to the gym). If it goes well, I may try to hit 5:30 by the end of the month.
Krissy Says:
June 1st, 2007, 11:32 am
i only just discovered zen habits, but reading it has quickly become a part of my daily routine.
one goal, three parts:
1) early up (6:15)…
2) without pressing snooze…
3) so i can workout before work…or bike TO work!
your blog is inspirational Leo, i’m am so thankful i found it!
Tim Says:
June 1st, 2007, 11:40 am
Water, 8 glasses per day, every day, for one month. Shouldn’t be that hard, but man…
Thanks.
Shannon Says:
June 1st, 2007, 11:44 am
I’m up for the challenge again :-)
I thought a lot about what my June goal will be. The list really helped me stick to my May goal (40+ min. exercise/day) when life got crazy. I didn’t make it 100% of the time, but I’m proud of what I did do, and I strive to improve in the coming month.
My June goal: Make daily to-do list first thing in the morning and complete the list each day. I will continue (and increase) my May habit by setting the daily recurring task: “exercise 60+ minutes”
I look forward to continuing the Zen Challenge email list, it is something I have come to really enjoy each day.
Thanks Leo, and all :-)
Michael Gross Says:
June 1st, 2007, 12:00 pm
I would like to join the challenge. I want to use http://www.spreeder.com everyday on at least 2 articles to improve my reading speed.
Michael Says:
June 1st, 2007, 12:03 pm
Ok, I’m in: reading every day and cutting out processed sugar.
Melanie Says:
June 1st, 2007, 12:06 pm
Sign me up! My challenge is 25 minutes of exercise every day. I am really looking forward to the motivation of this challenge.
Good Luck to all!
Jordan (MamaBlogga) Says:
June 1st, 2007, 12:25 pm
Oh, I’m in. My goal is to get up at 7 every week day to be productive and write better/for sites I’ve neglected (and if that goes well, I’ll move it up earlier).
And since people are listing multiple goals here, I’ll add this one: spend 5 minutes a day (- Sunday) cleaning/organizing my pantry/closet/laundry room.
Darren Says:
June 1st, 2007, 12:30 pm
Thanks for such a great May Leo! Count me in for the coming month. My challenge, to spend at least 1 hour reading a book each day.
Good luck everyone!
Dave C Says:
June 1st, 2007, 12:32 pm
I just discovered your blog in May and it’s now 2 on my list of 42 feeds. Thanks Leo!
Krissy structured her goal perfectly, and I’ll use that as a guide:
1) early up (7:00)
2) without pressing snooze
3) so i can workout before I start working
Jennifer Says:
June 1st, 2007, 12:32 pm
Please sign me up! I’m aiming to start lifting weights daily, with different body areas focused on each day.
Cindy Says:
June 1st, 2007, 12:35 pm
Sign me up! My goal for June is to write for 30 minutes every day. I just finished a Creative Writing class on children’s literature and have several stories in the works.
Love your site!
Kay Says:
June 1st, 2007, 12:52 pm
Ok, I’m committing to 20 minutes exercise each day.
Thanks for all the help!
Kim Says:
June 1st, 2007, 12:52 pm
I joined last month, but never checked in. I did like getting the emails though, so sign me up again.
Of course maybe I didn’t check in because I didn’t do so well. Ended up with a major tooth problem right at the start of the month, and other distractions, and didn’t exercise daily at all.
I’m going to try for the same goal again, but plan to do better now. Thanks!
Houston Says:
June 1st, 2007, 12:59 pm
My goal for June is to get back into the running habit. In February I decided to train specifically for a marathon and as a result of injuries and lack of motivation I really cut down on the days I ran a week. Now that the marathon is done and I no longer ache I want to get back into my pre-marathon training habits. That means 4 to 5 running days a week with cross training on the bike.
Manu Says:
June 1st, 2007, 13:03 pm
Hi, i’m vegetarian for 5 weeks now. The 30 day challange is one of the best metod to get a good and new habit.
Count me in for May. Starting to Monday i want to make 10 - 15 minutes of jogging in every morning. My work start at 8, so i have to get up at 6:30.
I’m in!
Laura Says:
June 1st, 2007, 13:07 pm
Count me in too! This is my first challenge so I would like to work on my exercise habit - to go from none to 3 days a week minimum!
Allison Says:
June 1st, 2007, 13:15 pm
What a great idea!
I commit to exercising 4 times a week (either my jog/walk programme or Nordic walking) for a minimum of 30 minutes each time.
Jess Says:
June 1st, 2007, 13:16 pm
Count me in! This is just what I was looking for to reinvigorate my exercising habits. Thanks!
gerryc Says:
June 1st, 2007, 13:20 pm
i didn’t join this challenge but had my own. my challenge in may was to walk everyday at work during lunch. i did it! it’s a indoor powerwalking class, when i first started i could only do 2 mi with difficulty. i now do three consistently and twice this week i did 4 miles. i walk a little bit more outside of work, i had been struggling for months to get up to 5 mi per day and it was so hard. now - not so much.
my challenge for June is to continue walking everyday and by the end of the month do 4 consistently.
I can’t believe i’m actually doing this! thanks for the motivation, great site!
Todd Says:
June 1st, 2007, 13:25 pm
Please sign me up. I want to commit to being up at 0530 every day.
jillian Says:
June 1st, 2007, 13:34 pm
Me too! I need accountability. I pledge to get some exercise for at least 30min/day.
Faraaz Says:
June 1st, 2007, 13:44 pm
Sign me up!
I want to get into the habit of getting to bed at 10:30PM everyday and then waking up at 6AM for a 20minute run.
Thanks & Good luck everyone!
anne-laure Says:
June 1st, 2007, 13:45 pm
Please sign me up !
I have kind of a mood problem so my challenge is to write every night what I’ve felt during the day and check each week if I can see what triggers ‘bad reactions’ and ‘good reactions’…
Bob Says:
June 1st, 2007, 13:48 pm
Sounds like just the motivation I need!
30 straight days of exercise, 3 miles minimum per day!
Katie Jeanne Says:
June 1st, 2007, 13:53 pm
Please sign me up!
In the past couple weeks I have taken up yoga again and it has done wonders for my back problems. My goal for June will be to do a full hour of yoga every day to really cement this as a habit and to get my back into better shape.
Mat Says:
June 1st, 2007, 13:56 pm
Leo, I want to support your great initiative - please sign me up!
Actually I started Wednesday this week - my 30-day-challenge is: getting up at 6AM and do daily workout right afterwards (alternating days with one hour of biking and half an hour of exercising). Went great so far, but weekends will be hard ;)
Tristan Says:
June 1st, 2007, 14:41 pm
Sign me up! I want to do 50 push-ups in the morning and 50 push-ups at night. I will also take a hint from the earlier comments and try to take a photo each day in hopes of becoming a better photographer.
Justin Says:
June 1st, 2007, 14:43 pm
Sign me up please!
30 day challenge: Wake up at 6am everyday to jog before work
Txgrg Says:
June 1st, 2007, 14:55 pm
I’m in. My goal is wake up every morning an hour earlier.
Patrick Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:17 pm
Sign me up please!
My goal is to exercise everyday for at least 15-20 mins, practice on the drum pad daily for at least 30 minutes, and to make sure that I pick every single phone call I receive, or at least call them back. (I have a huge problem with that always slipping my mind).
I also have a goal to write in a daily blog, since I am on tour, I do not have the time to call everyone and fill them in with what is going on.
Wow, I have alot of goals, but they are easy and should not be that hard to complete.
Thank you.
Rick Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:20 pm
I completed the May challenge! The funny thing is that I didn’t even notice that a month had passed until I had read this.
A lot of good things have happened for me this month. I even started a personal challenge blog and I am currently successfully juggling several personal challenges, all largely inspired by this May challenge.
I sincerely thank you for the extra motivation and inspiration you have provided me!
Michael Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:23 pm
I’ll do it. 30 minutes of reading, 30 minutes of exercise, 30 minutes of programming each day.
Mitchell Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:26 pm
Sign me up as well. For June, my goal is to write one paragraph of an essay. Any essay I’m working on.
I might have trouble with the daily email checkin as I’m currently deployed, but I’ll give it my best.
elizabeth Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:28 pm
i love this! my goal for june is 30 minutes of daily exercise on top of the walking i already do.
Anneli Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:29 pm
Please sign me up for another challenging month. My goal is to continue with the morning exercise. I will add one new habit: I hate to put my clothes back into the closets when I have washed them. There are clothes everywhere. I will deal with that dark side of myself in June.
Doug Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:35 pm
I’ve just discovered this blog-great info! Count me in on the June challenge. I want to go to bed earlier-in bed by 10:30 and be up at 6am. Hopefully, this will be the motivation I need!
Greg Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:45 pm
Sign me up for at least 20 minutes of walking a day.
Justin Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:47 pm
Please sign me up for 30 minutes of daily writing. Thanks.
Ruby Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:51 pm
Sign me up for June too! I want to continue from May with my daily sketches. :)
Melanie Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:56 pm
Yes, please sign me up. June will be the month to declutter my home. We still have lots of business related paper files to keep, but a huge pile can be cleaned up. Alas, all the papers have to go through the document shredder …
Sidney Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:57 pm
Yes, please. I want to walk at least 15 minutes every day, but if I walk 30 I can skip a day (weekends only)! I’ll do the math…
SO do-able!
Thanks. I’ve always needed the accountability part. This may do the trick!
Esmee Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:57 pm
yes, sign me up!
I want to write 30 minutes a day each morning, before leaving for work.
Dror Engel Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:58 pm
count me in! it sounds terrific
my goal is wake up at 7am and write at least 20 min a day
Dror.
Jonathan Street Says:
June 1st, 2007, 15:58 pm
Sign me up.
I want to establish a productive routine in the mornings. Starting with waking at 7.
Wiebke Says:
June 1st, 2007, 16:07 pm
That’s getting up at 7 each weekday for me then. Without snooze.
Puttu Says:
June 1st, 2007, 16:22 pm
OK, let’s do it!
- I’ll get up at 7am everyday (now it’s 8am and THAT is tough :).
- I’ll exercise for at least 10 minutes a day and go to the gym at least once a week.
- Every day I’ll spend at least half an hour learning a foreign language.
I’ve been getting to do all of those for quite some time. Let’s see if some discipline helps. :)
paulkdad Says:
June 1st, 2007, 16:55 pm
I started the May challenge a bit late, but now have 26 straight days at the gym behind me. Though it has cost me over 3# of body fat (tough price to pay, I know), it has definitely been worth it.
Time to “synchronize” and choose something else for this month. Hmm, how about this: FINISH ONE DRAWING EVERY DAY. Starting today.
All the best to everyone with your challenges!
paulkdad Says:
June 1st, 2007, 17:00 pm
Oh, and Leo, please sign me up for the daily check-in. Thanks.
Xodus Says:
June 1st, 2007, 17:09 pm
Sign me up. I started two days ago going to bed after work (2300 CST) and reading for an hour and then waking at 5:30. I have made it the two days that I have been trying. The weekend is going to be hard to keep the habit. Hopefully this will help keep me motivated.
Nicole Says:
June 1st, 2007, 17:19 pm
I’d like to sign up again…adding 3 more back exercises to the twice-daily routine. Hopefully in a month or two my back will be healthier, and I’ll be able to practice the martial arts techniques that are hard on my back. I want to be able to do them on my black belt test!
Sarah Says:
June 1st, 2007, 17:24 pm
The May challenge made me realize how much walking I do as part of my daily life — since I often counted “transit walking” as exercise on days I didn’t actually exercise. So, my goal for June
1). get up at 6:30 am
2). 30 minutes of pure exercise daily
I admire those of you above who are able to include “without hitting snooze,” but I don’t have that much faith in my habit-changing abilities yet! Since I want to be up at 6:30, I will have to set my alarm a little earlier to allow for the snooze habit — hopefully that will help me push the wake-up time to 6 (without snooze!) in a future challenge.
Joe Says:
June 1st, 2007, 17:40 pm
Please sign me up to. My goal is to walk 20 min daily (yes it’s a May challenge goal, but I’m slow, OK… :-)
I think your writing (and blog) is great. I’m so glad I came across your stuff via Lifehaker or ??.
ClickerTrainer Says:
June 1st, 2007, 17:41 pm
Sign me up! I vow to spend a minimum of 10 minutes/day/dog training tricks and required competition obedience exercises. Okay so now I know what I’m doing tonight, June 1…..
Jeremy Says:
June 1st, 2007, 17:48 pm
I’d like to be a part of the June Challenge
My goal is to wake at 5 every morning without out hitting snooze, and only one alarm set, so that I can ease into the day and be at work by 7.
kate Says:
June 1st, 2007, 17:51 pm
I’ll sign up please! :-D
my June goals are
wake up before 7am and sleep before 10pm
jog every morning (minimum 10 minutes)
do 10 minutes of learning Dutch per day.
woo woo! i’m going to post these goals on my notice board where i can see them.
good luck everyone!
xxx
Ian Says:
June 1st, 2007, 18:44 pm
Please sign me up for the June challenge.
My goal is to bike for at least 20 minutes each day.
Good luck to all and great blog, Leo!
Ethan Says:
June 1st, 2007, 18:50 pm
Please add me to the list. I want to work on my website for at least 30 min each day…
Thanks!
Kim Says:
June 1st, 2007, 18:53 pm
Please sign me up for the June Challenge. My goal is to exercise for at least 20 minutes a day, at 4pm, starting with walking.
Thanks Leo!
Karen Says:
June 1st, 2007, 19:05 pm
I’m in! I did ok with the May challenge (my goal was at least 30 minutes of cardio exercise a day first thing in the morning) but my record was far from perfect and I don’t really feel like I firmly established that habit. So I’m going to give it another go. In thinking about why I struggled so much I think it had a lot to do with point 3 - doing the habit at the same time every day. Too often I didn’t make time in the morning and tried to squeeze it in later and then deadlines, and well… life, intervened and it didn’t happen. So this month I’m going to focus on timing: exercise every day right after breakfast.
midori Says:
June 1st, 2007, 19:24 pm
Sign me up.
I’m going to actually put my feet on the floor and stand up every morning at 7:30.
Ben Says:
June 1st, 2007, 19:38 pm
I’m in.
I’m going to do 20 minutes of Pilates every morning starting at 7.30am.
Thanks for the motivation and the great blog.
Kymberlee Says:
June 1st, 2007, 20:01 pm
Please sign me up. This is very inspiring. Thank you.
I will commit to 30 minutes of exercise every day.
Many blessings…
mak Says:
June 1st, 2007, 20:11 pm
Please sign me up.
Thanks for this and all the other articles. I discovered your blog just over a week ago - it has really been inspiring!
margaret Says:
June 1st, 2007, 21:09 pm
OK, I’d like to try this out.
I will do 20 min of yogs every morning.
I’ve done it before so I know I can do it again.
Good luck to everyone!
Pat Says:
June 1st, 2007, 21:58 pm
Please sign me up as well. I found this site about two weeks ago and have come to absolutely love it. You are helping me to make so many positive changes in my life - thank you!
I am going to commit to meditating every morning.
Celine Says:
June 1st, 2007, 22:36 pm
Yes! I love this blog, and I am in! Starting tomorrow, I will jog everyday for a month! Add me to the list!
This blog is so inspiring and it really is changing my life. Thank you!
Infinite Jones Says:
June 1st, 2007, 22:40 pm
Sign me up… I’ll be running for 30 minutes every day.
Thanks!
Henry Says:
June 1st, 2007, 22:58 pm
I’ll sign up too please. I found your site last week and intend to read all of the archives when I get a chance.
I have been getting up at 5:30 or so for the last week to give myself time for breakfast with my wife before I go to work early. I will make 5:30 my goal during the week (6:30 on weekends). I also commit to exercising 3 times a week for 30 minutes.
Nichole Says:
June 2nd, 2007, 0:22 am
Please sign me up.
I’ve been following your blog for a while and find many of the articles helpful.
My goal for June is to write 1000 words a day on my thesis before I open my email & newsreader.
AgentSully Says:
June 2nd, 2007, 1:02 am
Please sign me up too. Wow 101 people so far! Amazing!
Mine is:
30 min jog/10min stretch/5-10 min core - daily (5-6x per week)
Thanks!