Add Pizzazz To Your Life With A 30-Day Challenge

A simple way to expand your experiences and brighten each day. Because who doesn't want a life boost on their own terms?

Khadijah Bagais

So you've gotten settled in life. You have a schedule, time seems to be going slow; is this all you have to look forward to? Where's the excitement? The memories? The fun? Whatever happened to all of those dreams and ambitions you had once upon a time? Did they all get brushed under the rug because you were "too busy"?

Well, there's a way to do the things you've always wanted to do, and add flavor to your life along the way. Complete a 30-day challenge.

Start Simple

Via images.elephantjournal.com

The challenge can range from merely taking one picture a day, to exercising for 15 minutes, to climbing a mountain, to much more. When choosing your first challenge, start with something easy--not all of them need to be earth shattering. As Matt Cutts, a Google technologist who recently gave a TED Talk on his experiences says, small, sustainable changes are more likely to stick, while big, crazy challenges—although fun—are less likely to keep. That's not to say that you can't eventually climb that mountain or do that skydive.

Be Specific

Via nutricisedr.com

According to Dr. Ronald E. Smith of Psychology Today, setting specific goals are more effective than general guidelines. Being detailed eliminates guesswork and provides a clearer standard to what represents success and failure. Rather than "I'm going to work out," set the goal as, "I will stretch for five minutes, run for 15, and do 20 pushups."

Set Macro Goals and Micro Quotas

Via Duolingo.com

It is most effective to have big goals, but to set small, easy to achieve quotas that you must complete each day. This method ensures that you don't become overwhelmed, and instead focus on what you must complete to achieve the big goal. For example, you have the macro goal of learning another language, and the micro goal of doing three lessons each day on a language-learning website (like duolingo.com).

Use the If-Then Technique

Via colonlibrary.org

According to Dr. Heidi Grant Halvorson of Psychology Today, using the framework of: 'if/when X happens, I will do Y' is most effective in goal setting, making you two to three times more likely to succeed. This is because it creates connections to things you already do, making it easier for you to remember and follow through. "When I wake up in the morning, I will do 20 minutes of yoga before taking a shower," is much more effective than, "I'll do yoga every day."

Make Time

instagram.com

Find a time that works for you and make the activity part of your daily schedule. Write down your daily goals somewhere you will see them—maybe even set an alarm on your phone as a reminder. By doing so, you will be less pressed to find some free time before the end of the day, and won't have to worry about forgetting the activity all together.

Document Everything

Khadijah Bagais / Via Facebook.com

Keeping track of your achievements is a great way to keep you motivated, and it's as simple as writing down your progress, taking pictures, or posting evidence to Facebook. This ensures that you hold yourself responsible for completing your goals each day, and serves as an awesome reminder of what you are capable of doing long after you complete the challenge and move on.

Get Others Involved

Via dubaiprnetwork.com

Tell your friends about your plan and decided quotas so they can provide external motivation and support when you need it. You are also more likely to complete a task with the extra incentive of a partner, so find someone dedicated and get to work improving your life!

Via graphics8.nytimes.com

By completing one challenge each month, you will be able to expand your life portfolio. Instead of the months flying by forgotten, time that passes will be much more memorable. These challenges will not only encourage you to branch out and do what you never have before, but additionally help build skills and abilities you never knew you had.

Bryce Richter / Bryce Richter/U of Wisconsin-Mad / Via photos.uc.wisc.edu

Don't just stick to what you're used to; find what interests you, and go for it. This is your excuse to travel, learn a new dance, write a book, be a model, run in a marathon, learn a new language, start a new hobby, become a chef, start a business, and so much more.

The next 30 days are going to pass by, no matter what you do, so think of something you've always wanted to try, and do it.

Looking for ideas for potential 30-day challenges? Try this site as a starting point.