I’ve been thinking a lot lately about things in my life I wouldn’t mind changing. This includes habits, thought patterns, ways of approaching things, etc. I suppose kind of mid-year resolution time for me for some reason.
Something I keep coming across that seems to be fueling this is a post Alex Shalman put up on his blog over a year ago called Life Design Experiment. If you haven’t read it, you should check it out. The basic gist is it’s a 30 day “system” that helps you identify something you want to change or try, determine a game plan, develop the “habit” for 30 days, then evaluate the results.
Here’s the summary of what he walks you through:
I. Evaluation
1. Brain Storm Possibilities
2. Identify Bad Habits
II. Paradigm Shift
1. Pleasure
2. Pain
3. Attachment
III. Execution Phase
A.Tools
1. Journal/Log
2. Post it
3. Rubberband
B. Process
1. 30 days to habit
2. Start
3. Temporary
IV. Re-Evaluation Phase
1. Results
2. Choose
[Via AlexShalman.com]
I guess the reason I’m so intrigued by it is it breaks down the mental barriers associated with changing something and helps you put together a game plan that leads you to immediate action along with evaluation. Of course part of my problem is I have a dozen things I want to try today with the 30 Day Life Design Experiment process, but that alone is responsible for much of my procrastination: too many things to do.
So I narrowed things down to an online endeavor related experiment. I’m going to try 30 days of posting once a day on a new blog I’m taking part in that I’ve just had a hard time getting going on. Sorry, it’s not more earth shattering, but it will certainly be a great accomplishment if I can get into the habit for this particular project.
Next I’m thinking about working on my positive responses. Try to not give negative responses to people. Be a “glass half full” guy for 30 days. Here are some other things I think would be fun to try:
- Live like a wealthy person for 30 days – This one could be a little costly, but would be dang fun to try.
- Think like a wealthy person for 30 days – The idea that you act like the person you want to become and surround yourself with people that evoke that kind of response in you.
- Get rid of all my to do lists, magazines, books, etc. for 30 days and start fresh – Jettison all of the stuff that continually makes me feel like I’m not accomplishing anything and just work on stuff that comes across my desk for the 30 day period.
- Try a 2 day work week for 30 days – I read an article one time about a guy who only worked 2 days a week. He claimed he accomplished as much as he did working 40 hours a week. That’d be a fun experiment.
- Try working remotely for 30 days – I have this notion that I could load up in an Airstream trailer and take off with nothing more than a laptop, cell phone and WAN card. This would be easy to try by just going to coffee shops, friends’ houses, the library, park, etc. as your remote locations.
- Not let anyone or anything affect your mood for 30 days – No matter what it is, resolve to be happy and enjoy every minute of every day. This one would have a huge effect on the people around you.
- Try using only a thumb drive for 30 days – No laptop, desktop or anything else. Use public or other computers with your entire computer on a USB or thumb drive.
The list could go on and on. The most obvious things are the stop smoking/chewing/drinking/TV/etc ones, start exercising/eating healthy/sleeping more/etc. ones, and other habit/lifestyle related things. The possibilities that get my attention most with this is the stuff I think it’d be fun to try like completely changing your thinking, approach to work, work tools, etc. I bet you’d find ways to make yourself more efficient or effective.
This is a great tool to apply TODAY to anything you want to try, change, tackle, etc. It can be a daunting task on your list you’ve been putting off, a bad habit, a new way of thinking, etc. I’m interested to hear what ideas you have that you’d like to try with the Life Design Experiment. Post them in the comments.
Read the whole post here: Life Design Experiment by Alex Shalman
April 25th, 2009 at 4:06 am
habit changes according to profession but don't let yourself to much change because it affects health.
April 25th, 2009 at 10:33 am
[...] writing my 30 Days of Life Change post yesterday about Alex Shalman’s Life Design Experiement, I got to thinking about another [...]
April 25th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Between Alex Shalman and you, you have hardly left anything else to be covered. I would simply add "DO IT"
April 27th, 2009 at 8:31 am
I read your article carefully because a lot of very useful information that I get, thanks a lot
April 27th, 2009 at 9:06 am
oh great efforts and i hope that the results are absolutely amazing and mind blowing
April 28th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I like the idea of doing xyz for 30 days…a lot of times we might resolve to do something and then after a week, day, or heck a lot of times even a couple of hours you forget or get distracted. I'll have to think of a few things for my own 30 days projects
April 29th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
i like this idea.really interesting post…
April 29th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
thank you, is a news and information that is valuable,
April 30th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Hi, interesting post. I have been pondering this topic,so thanks for sharing. I’ll definitely be coming back to your site.
May 3rd, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Based on our mental makeup, we each have various ways we accomplish things and it seems, doing the 30 day behavior modification route is key. One thing that must be pointed out though is that we each have certain characteristics which we must acknowledge and incorporate into our workflow of change. For example, if someone smoked cigarette and wanted to quit, their modis operandi might be to quit cold turkey because for them, using the transition method is torture. If we recognize how we be learn and accomplish things and use those methods in our 30 day modification routine, the outcome is likely to be more successful.
Sofia Hogan
May 4th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
interesting idea:) something to add for everyone – forget about computer, go find a girl, have a lots of sex!
May 16th, 2009 at 4:24 am
I agree, to achieve change and results of the plan must begin with a large and mature, the focus, hard work according to plan and consistent
May 21st, 2009 at 10:55 am
Very usefull. Thanks. But i think that to live using some plan it's hard and you need to obsere your plan daily. It's hard for me. I think that i have to do something and repent of what i have done whether not to do and sorrow.
May 27th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
really great and valuable information…
May 28th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
I first started reading this thinking whats the point nothing can make you think about life for 30 days. But I have to admit as I read on it was supring me on to think about a few things in my life. I might try to see if I can master the 30 day life change. Wish me luck
May 30th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Just an update. I failed on the thumb drive! It is actually too hard to not use my laptop at least once in a day, and public computers are dangerous =)
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:40 am
This is somewhat similar to the program '7 habits of highly effective people' It really focuses on making the person better. When you improve an aspect of your life, everything else tends to improve too.
June 11th, 2009 at 7:48 am
thank you for inspiration……change to be better
June 15th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I've been reading Alex Shalman for a time now. I remember his post about getting a girlfriend on johnchow.com. That was pretty informative, lol!
July 8th, 2009 at 9:36 am
There are definitely a lot of mental barriers to break when you want to accomplish something. It’s not easy. Its always great to look at things from the "glass full" perspective. Haha it would definitely be fun to try living like a wealthy person for a month.. also expensive and quite addictive.
-Kevin
July 13th, 2009 at 8:38 am
I like this idea.really interesting post… But one thing I want to say that is habit changes according to profession but don't let yourself to much change because it affects health.
July 14th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Change to be better . Thank you for inspiration……
July 16th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Wow!!! A very inspiring and motivational article. I know for me personally, what really hold me back are my bad habits. I tend to get side tracked WAY to easilily. Great read.
July 19th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Well, not so surprising after all… "old habits die hard" so I guess that change is very difficult by itself… the reason possibly being because it goes against our true nature pushing us out of our comfort zone…
July 31st, 2009 at 7:49 am
Really great post. Thanks for sharing.
August 1st, 2009 at 10:11 am
Change habits is much more about focus and (self) discipline than anything else, that's why it is so difficult!
September 5th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
This is a Great post I appreciate you sharing this information
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:06 pm
i like the idea.. there are certainly some things i would like to change in life – top one being – stop wasting time on the internet
October 8th, 2009 at 5:15 am
Nice blog, just keep on writing the blog with the same spirit which can be outstanding for the users and pioneer to guid sparkling info.
October 9th, 2009 at 10:15 am
I my life i change couple of things with this 30day trial method. I`m not using sugar for coffea and tea anymore, I don`t drink just after eating, I don`t eat before sleep. Beging is always hard but You should repeat Your self that this is trial. Treat this like a science project about Your will power. After 30 days this new think become Your habit. You know how much cost this. You start to see good changes in health and this changes become more ane more valuable.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
totally agree!
October 25th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Nice post. This 30 day plan is really great if actively performed and many good things pointed out.
November 6th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Thanks for writeing this post! I can’t belive that it’s really almost Christmas, where does the time fly?
November 24th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Your tutorial is very great, very easy to understand, I will follow these useful tips to make my life better now.
Thank for share.
December 7th, 2009 at 12:08 am
This is so awesome! The concept – sorry I wasn't talking about your resolution.
I haven't read it till now, but it seems to as you say, break things down. I need to be more disciplined about getting up in the morning. I have a tough time at it.
December 21st, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Hmm some very interestign points and i just cant stop laughing at one of the comments LOL.
January 17th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Just using a thumb drive for 30 days? That is insane. I can't live without my laptop.