Sometimes we make transformation very complicated. It can often be very simple, especially if we are serous enough.
Developing a new habit or breaking a bad one really comes down to training. We’ve been trained in down to a cellular level to engage in habits and patterns that we’ve been trained in.
Just as simple as it is to become trained in a bad habit, we can become trained in a good habit. The way we can make change more effective is by doing two simple things:
1. Focus on one thing at a time.
2. Create daily actions that feed into the new habit.
So here is my challenge to you. If you want to make a change, pick one area; preferably in an area God is working on in your life. Focus on investing into it for 30 days straight–no compromise and no backing down. You’d be surprised how this can deeply affect your transformational journey.
Sometimes we wonder, “Is this really going to work? Will this habit really help me? Will this change really make a difference?”
I often address this question by saying, “I am going to do this for 30 days straight and see how much of a difference it has made. If it adds value to my transformational journey, I will add it to my lifestyle. If it seems to add nothing, then leave it by the way side.”
I’ve never regretted doing a 30 day challenge.
Many of my life changing habits have come out of 30 day experiments. Most of those 30 day runs ended up becoming permanent habits.
- I went on a 30 day nutritional detox that changed my life. Now I live in that lifestyle.
- I spent one month doing daily repentance ministry and it disciplined me to get rid of some unrelenting strongholds.
- I lived in 30 days of giving thanksgiving every day. I will never be the same.
- I practiced 30 days of personal declarations and have not stopped since.
- When I started blogging, I entered a 30 day blogging project, where I disciplined myself to write one article every day. It sent my writing habits into the stratosphere.
- I’ve done thirty days of specific-focused prayers, which greatly enhanced my prayer life.
- I have done 30 days straight of journalling. Although I do not journal every day, I find it much easier after that to write my thoughts and process through them on paper.
- I have woken up earlier for 30 days and it transformed me into more of a morning person.
- I have done 30 day Bible reading projects, 30 day writing projects and 30 day thinking habits. All of these added to my transformational journey.
I am currently doing a negativity fast for 30 days, with the goal of permanently imbedding a more hope-filled mindset in my life…permanently.
So what do you need to do for 30 days to jump start a season of change? Studies show that you can develop a new habit in 30 days. It takes at least that long to work through the initial resistance that comes up against you keeping that habit.
To make it successful, I recommend keeping in mind the following things:
- Pick only one thing to focus on.
- Connect to the “why” of the change. Why do you want to make the change? What would happen if you don’t make the change?
- Tell yourself, “I can do anything for 30 days.” This helps to minimize the fear that rises up when we seek to make a change.
- Have a written description of what is involved in this habit.
- Create a daily appointment that helps you focus on the change. Make the appointment non-negotiable. For the 30 days, no taking a day off.
- Keep a journal of how it has helped.
Question: What would you like to do for 30 days to create a transformational habit in your life?