Do you fancy taking part in the #21days challenge?

June 21, 2010 · View Comments

What’s stopping you?

After the great response to my last blog post about how we can all find it difficult to make the changes we desire, many of us were in agreement that building small actions into our daily routine may be a way of helping us achieve these changes.

So, why don’t we all actually give it a go over the next few weeks and help each other achieve change?

What am I proposing?

If there is something you want to change in your life, however big or small, however private or personal, try and recognise the activity you need to carry out each day and do this activity for 21 days solid.

According to Don’t Tell The Bumble Bee, it takes 21 days to change a habit, so let’s all see if this method actually helps.

How can we help each other?

If you want to take part in the challenge and if you want to make your challenge public, leave a comment below with details of what you are going to do. Everyone else taking part can then connect with you and help you along the way.

When talking about the challenge on Twitter, use the hastag #21days so that others can join the conversation too.

When do we begin?

The first day will be Monday 28th June. Sunday 18th July will be the 21st day.

The mission

To stop talking the talk and start walking the walk!

Do you really want to change something? If so, then why not take part in the #21days challenge…

Those who have expressed an interest in taking part are:

@banksy6, @tristanrothwell, @sarknight, @kristensousa, @Bluegrass_IT, @jedlangdon, @OstrichIT, @martinrothwell, @acjon, @BeckySocial, @boyday, @martynhake, @robertpickstone, @ShannonBoudjema, @jon_gerrard, @DaleGMoore, @iancreek, @nibby01, @robglover_UK, @treypennington, @boxelboy, @stylishresults, @leeslivinlife, @annholman, @karinalchemy, @racheeroo, @OneLife, @albrooking, @EquanimityJT, @GetalifeUk, @crp1984 , @Xlilmissdeppx , @JrMessy , @RokkInternet , @ShaktiMatUK , @samajose @katycreates , @chrispenberthy @hevpuggles @annabelscaberet , @jasonfalls, @jenuinejen , @manningfinance , @NicolaKateAsh , @cindyosburn , @lizmoss , @rosiereflect , @TraumaCleaning , @BrockPatterson , @alcartwright , @arengrimshaw , @fionah, @megancrump2309, @celinawest , @DangerousMKting , @jonathanalder , @victoriawhitney , @AlisonHernandez , @inplymouth , @joidesign , @planetplanitbiz , @emmalannigan , @CoachPotential , @karinleadership , @anthonymull , @plymouthblog , @HillTribeMedia , @lexjt , @susanweiner , @6consulting, @acjon (72 peeps)

Lee White has also created a #21days Twitter List for us all.

Here’s a short video of me waffling a couple of days before #21days starts

Another update: Here is a list of challenges being taken.

I have taken them from comments to this blog post and tweets spotted online. It has been quite hard to keep track! I have also tried to keep them short so they’re easy to look through. Please let me know if you think I may have got yours wrong. Please leave a comment or tweet me if you want to be added to the list.

@6consulting
“Starting 2 new blogs and posting at least 4 times a week on either, and the all too common; ”Go to the Gym!” ;)

@acjon
“I’m going to only use outlook for a maximum of 15 minutes in every hour, going to get an hour timer to make it happen!”

@annabelscabaret
“To do something new everyday”

@annholman
“I’m going to comment on other people’s blogs more”

@alisonhernandez
“To spend as little money as possible, find the cheapest product/alternative, make packed lunches and find free attractions for my little one”

@banksy6
“To make sure I’m in earlier in the morning and leaving no later than 6:30pm. I intend to change the first part of my day (the first hour before anyone else gets into work) into ‘marketing time’ – I will concentrate purely on the marketing of my business”

@brockpatterson
“I am going to run each 3 to 6 miles each day for 21 days on my quest to continued weight loss”

@chrispenberthy
“Before anything else gets done, at least 30 minutes of domestic duties. I’m also going to write something every day. You might find the results online (if so I’ll post the link) but you might not as some of it might just be for me. But to help the online stuff I will set up a blog”

@coachpotential
“I made a pact – 1 hour reading everyday”

@dangerousmkting
“My aim will be to make myself get out and walk more so I will literally be walking the walk! Any Exmouth-based #21Days-ers welcome to join me”

@equanimityJT
To exercise each day

@greeneyesclaire
“To finally get another qualification related to my business. Google Analytics (GAIQ) is covered by several members of my team but I want to finally complete it, been meaning to for so long now! On a personal level I want to go to the gym for at least an hour a week plus an hour of walking outdoors on an evening or weekend”

@hevpuggles
“I am reducing to 1 glass per night for #21days and also going to watch what I eat as well…cut down on the comfort foods lol. Also, something that will make a big difference to me is to get back behind the wheel of a car. My challenge is to get my confidence back and be able to drive on my own by the end of #21days”

@joidesign
“21 days to change my work patterns which will allow me time off on Fridays to concentrate on my artwork, something I’ve been meaning to do for years”

@manningfinance
“(1) Finish a rebranding effort for my current website/blog/etc. Intent is to consolidate multiple sites into one making it easier to build a strong viewer base. (2) Spend at least one hour a day on various writing projects I have right now and try and get one blog entry at least every other day. (3) Recommit to physical fitness once more. I need to get in a habit of making it back to the gym. Gym at least every other day – if not more during the #21days”

@iancreek
To exercise each day

@inspirationguy and @inplymouth
“For my #21days challenge I am going to make sure that I take some time each day to work on my own creative projects. This might be a blog post, generating creative ideas, or something I haven’t even thought of yet”

@jedlangdon
“I am going to start getting the train everyday (something I have tried on and off but have never been able to do consistently), so I have an extra two hours to read and write. Another side of my challenge is to stay away from Twitter on weekday evenings. I have spent far too much time being the unsociable person at home attached to my iPhone whilst everyone else is ralaxing, talking and watching TV”

@jonathanalder
“For me it’s going to be keeping my desk clear. Remove the clutter and the day to day debris I accumulate!”

@LeesLivinLife
“I’m going to be focusing on my daily schedule for one…..getting earlier nights, to enable earlier mornings & build in 30/60 mins of daily exercise while I’m at it….as opposed to my hit & miss schedule at the mo.
Additionally, I’m looking to really drive a potentially life changing opportunity that I’m involved with”

@lexjt
“Here we go: drop 1/2 stone and make my new career plan happen. There it is. Cards on the table”

@megancrump2309
“I am trying to improve my fitness and lose weight. So I guess my goal will be to lose weight but I will do this by exercising for at least half an hour everyday and not eating any bad foods”

@plymouthblog
“I want to do 15 minutes yoga every day”

@Robglover_UK
To exercise each day

@RacheeRoo
To eat fresh fruit for Breakfast every morning

@robertpickstone
“I’m going to exercise for between 30 mins and 60 mins each day”

@sarknight
“Im going to finish my work ‘to do list’ every day”

@susanweiner
No eating deserts other than fruit

@XlilmissdeppX
To run each day

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Scridb filter
  • @qualitylmiriam To devote myself to the web BC program everyday to rebuild my website properly so that in 21 days I know what the tech deal is and how to get it all done with @joidesign within 2 months from now #aim #fire
  • Hey. How have you been getting on?
  • Day 2 in the #21day challenge (Imagine being said in Jordy accent :))

    Hope everyone is doing well. I certainly enjoyed my first day. It's funny, knowing that I had to work to a different timescale put an entirely different complexion on my working day. I think if you let yourself work late regularly, you allow certain jobs to wait until the end of the day when everyone else has gone - if you know you don't have that time anymore, you prioritise differently. Its going to be an interesting 21 days! :)

  • Am in, a day late - hope that's ok.
  • That's fine - do you know what you want to change and what daily activities you are going to do?
  • Yep - start 2 new blogs (tonight) and post at least 4 times a week on either, and the all too common; ''Go to the Gym!'' ;)
  • Alison Hernandez
    Hi Robert - what with all the budget news and me only working part-time now as a mum, I have decided to take the 21 days challenge to spend as little money as possible, find the cheapest product/alternative, make packed lunches, find free attractions for my little one.. I am already doing some of these things but will do it fully for the 21 days.
    Good luck with yours
    Ali :)
  • Just realised I hadn't put my challenges up - so thought I should remedy that...

    I hate domestic chores - there always seem to be much better things I could do with my time, so they end up being left and so becoming a mountain that just makes them even worse. so - before anything else gets done, at least 30 minutes of domestic duties...

    And cos that one won't be very nice (just very useful) - one for me. I write for clients, but never for myself - so I'm going to write something every day. You might find the results online (if so I'll post the link) but you might not as some of it might just be for me. But to help the online stuff I will set up a blog.
  • Claire Marshall
    Hi Robert and fellow 21'ers!

    I have decided that I am going to take this time to finally get another qualification related to my business. Google Analytics (GAIQ) is covered by several members of my team but I want to finally complete it, been meaning to for so long now!

    On a personal level I want to go to the gym for at least an hour a week plus an hour of walking outdoors on an evening or weekend. Will continue to go to yoga every week also but this stops in the summer so will do some at home to keep me grounded and flexible!

    Already have two others in the list for the next 21days Rob!
  • Peter Ponsil
    Hey Robert, 21 days to change my work patterns which will allow me time off on fridays to concentrate on my artwork, something I've been meaning to do for years.
  • manningfinance
    Okay. I believe we have some things narrowed down. The challenge for me is actually broken down into a couple of different steps.

    (1) Finish a rebranding effort for my current website/blog/etc. Intent is to consolidate multiple sites into one making it easier to build a strong viewer base.

    (2) Spend at least one hour a day on various writing projects I have right now and try and get one blog entry at least every other day.

    (3) Recommit to physical fitness once more. I need to get in a habit of making it back to the gym. Gym at least every other day - if not more during the #21days.

    Thanks for all the encouragement!
  • banksy6
    Good luck with the challeneges are you based in the South West?
  • manningfinance
    Thanks! Our homebase is in Houston. Good luck with yours too!
  • What writing projects are they or are they being kept underwraps? Best of luck - you're showing lots of commitment by taking on three challenges but I'm sure you will acheive all three as the motivation seems to be very high!
  • manningfinance
    They are so much under wraps that I'm not even sure what they are!

    Actually, I need to be a more consistent blogger and at least get finished with one...maybe 2...short e-books during the challenge. Willing to accept more, but that is a minimum.
  • @hevpuggles
    Right... 5mins to midnight on eve of #21days I have decided ! ...I cant give up my wine completely so I am reducing to 1 glass per night for #21days and also going to watch what I eat as well ..cut down on the comfort foods lol.
    Also, something that will make a big difference to me is to get back behind the wheel of a car..Passed my test nearly 40 yrs ago and been driving all my life but moved to Plymouth 3 years ago and got rid of my own car as didnt really need two..Hubbys car is an automatic and that combined with moving to a new city and excellent bus service ...I stopped driving !!!! Confidence gone ...so my challenge is to get my confidence back and be able to drive on my own by the end of #21days. Plus I will have to stop drinking alchol if Im driving again ...double whammy :)
    Thanks for the challenge and good luck everyone :):)
    p.s. ...Im still trying to decide whether to stop procrastinating

  • Heather
    Right... 5mins to midnight on eve of #21days I have decided ! ...I cant give up my wine completely so I am reducing to 1 glass per night for #21days and also going to watch what I eat as well ..cut down on the comfort foods lol.
    Also, something that will make a big difference to me is to get back behind the wheel of a car..Passed my test nearly 40 yrs ago and been driving all my life but moved to Plymouth 3 years ago and got rid of my own car as didnt really need two..Hubbys car is an automatic and that combined with moving to a new city and excellent bus service ...I stopped driving !!!! Confidence gone ...so my challenge is to get my confidence back and be able to drive on my own by the end of #21days. Plus I will have to stop drinking alchol if Im driving again ...double whammy :)
    Thanks for the challenge and good luck everyone :):)
    p.s. ...Im still trying to decide whether to stop procrastinating
  • I really, really, really hope you get back behind the wheel! Best of luck!
  • Robert, this is a great project, well done for initiating it.

    I've finally managed to find some time to work out what I'm going to do for #21days. I spend all of my time being creative for clients, so for my #21days challenge I am going to make sure that I take some time each day to work on my own creative projects. This might be a blog post, generating creative ideas, or something I haven't even thought of yet. I guess that's where the creative bi comes in! I'll keep everyone posted via the #21days hashtag.

    Oh, one more thing: I'll be taking part as both @inplymouth and as @inspirationguy, so watch out for tweets from both accounts!
  • I really need to change my fitness and get into the habit of exercising regularly, rather than just once or twice a week when it hurts a lot! I'm going to exercise for between 30 mins and 60 mins each day, and hopefully by the end I will look forward to those trips to the gym rather than dreading them! Good health has a positive impact on so many other things and I've been far too lazy in this area!
  • jonathanalder
    Hi Robert - Great idea! I've been thinking this through all week, and for me it's going to be keeping my desk clear. Remove the clutter and the day to day debris I accumulate! Looking forward to embarking on this journey with everybody!
  • Thanks Jonathan. I like your challenge and think a few of us should be following you on this one - well, I know I can improve in that area! We want to see lots of twitpics of your lovely clean desk! ;-)
  • Jack
    Enjoy the 21 day challenge,it works..Psychologically its tried tested and trusted and has worked for me many times.
    Jack Russell
  • Without your speech the other week and your book too, this wouldn't be happening, so massive thanks to you! There are a few things I really want to change in my life, the 21 days method seems like a good idea, and so I put it out there hoping others like me would also give it a go! I will make sure I enjoy it and hopefully speak soon.
  • Great idea Robert - I'll be taking part in a very literal sense! My aim will be to make myself get out and walk more so I will literally be walking the walk! Any Exmouth-based #21Days-ers welcome to join me!
  • Hi Sue. How have you been getting on with your challenge?!
  • Celina
    What a great idea! Count me in. Min 30 mins per day cardio training. I cant wait for the new svelte me after 21 days!
  • Hi what a great idea! Count me in I am trying to improve my fitness and loose weight. So I guess my goal will be to loose weight but I will do this by excercising for at least half an hour everyday and not eating any bad foods. I am on twitter too @megancrump2309.
  • Great that you have joined! My challenge will be along very similar lines - lots of people talking about it on Twitter if you search for #21days so will speak soon I'm sure

    Rob
  • Brock Patterson
    It is a good time as summer is in full swing. I am going to run each 3 to 6 miles each day for 21 days on my quest to continued weight loss. This is a great way to jumpstart the plan again for my final 90 days. See you Monday!
  • Great idea Rob. I'm not in on this simply because I have a big event next week and have to focus on that - but once I'm out, I have a list of habits that need a change! :-)
  • Thanks Scott. Good luck with the event - hope it goes well!
  • I'm going to only use outlook for a maximum of 15 minutes in every hour, going to get an hour timer to make it happen!
  • That's a really good one and I will be checking to make sure you stick to it! ;-)
  • Count me in! The support from all of you will be a tremendous help, I'm sure.
  • Hmm I can think of lots of things to aim for in 21 days but do I get a prize if I achieve it in less?
  • I'm sure we can think off something! The big test though is if whatever you choose becomes really easy (or a good habit) after 21 days
  • count me in - how do I go about it?
  • Hey,

    When you are on Twitter, if you search #21days you will be able to see others who are taking part and can join in different conversations. I guess the main things to do are decide what you want to change/do each day...and from Monday, go for it! (and keep us all updated by using #21days in your tweets)

    Jed has blogged about it too:

    http://jedlangdon.com/?p=158

    Rob
  • Im in. Although the way its going, my challenge will be thinking of a challenge/change on each of the 21 days!
  • Count me in Robert.
  • Rachael Dolton
    Hell yeah Rob I'll give it a go!! ... I'll have to think up something I want to change though...there are too many!
  • annholman
    Count me in Rob......er have too many things to change. Ooooh which one to pick....
  • G'day Robert & all. I'm in. Looking forward to it. I'm thinking I'm going to be focusing on two areas.....assuming that's ok!!??
    Looking forward to connecting with everyone & walking the walk together!
  • Focusing on two areas is brave...but also great! Do you know exactly what you're going to do?
  • Hey Robert, looking to tighten things up on a personal & professional level really. Time to really start walking the walk. I'm going to be focusing on my daily schedule for one.....getting earlier nights, to enable earlier mornings & build in 30/60 mins of daily exercise while I'm at it....as opposed to my hit & miss schedule at the mo.
    Additionally, I'm looking to really drive a potentially life changing opportunity that I'm involved with. I've been playing at it for far too long now, but it's time to make it happen by putting some things into action once and for all.
    The two aspects go hand in hand really, as it's a whole lifestyle shift that I'm looking to make happen. Looking forward to it!
  • Great news Lee and thanks for putting together a #21days Twitter list! I will keeping adding newbies to the end of the list in the blog post to make it easier to update :-)

    http://twitter.com/LeesLivinLife/twentyonedays
  • robglover
    Hi Robert, great idea - I'm in. I'll be using #21days hashtag over the next few weeks.
  • I'm in... now all I need to do is work out what my focus will be.
  • Dale Moore
    Oh er, sounds a bit dodgy but as it's you Rob, I'll give it a go.
  • I will give it a go. I will inform you of my activity soon!
  • Shannon Boudjema
    I'm in! Will need some time to articulate the focus, but yes! Let's do it! #21days
  • Great idea Rob. I'm in too. I think I know what my 21 days will focus on but will mull it over in the next few days and post my final decision here.

    Hopefully everyone will help spread the word and get behind this because it will be great to have everyone supporting each other.

    Bravo!
  • I am interested to find out what your challenge is! Ok, will await your post...
  • Hi Rob and fellow challengers.

    This challenge is really timely for me, as there are many things I have been thinking about changing for a little while now: spending more time reading and commenting on other peoples blogs, spending more time working on my own blog, reading more, exercising more and spending more quality time with friends and girlfriend. The conclusion I have arrived at is there are simply not enough hours in the day, so this is what I am going to have to tackle!

    At the moment I spend two hours of my days driving to and from work, which is essentially dead time when I can't get any of this stuff done. So starting on Monday I am going to start getting the train everyday (something I have tried on and off but have never been able to do consistently), so I have an extra two hours to read and write. Another side of my challenge is to stay away from Twitter on weekday evenings. I have spent far too much time being the unsociable person at home attached to my iPhone whilst everyone else is ralaxing, talking and watching TV. As Rob talked about in one of his previous blog posts, I am going to be an 'intelligent social media addict'.

    This challenge will be tougher than it sounds because getting the train involves waking up an hour earlier each day and a 3 mile cycle/run/walk uphill from the train station to work, but at least I will be getting lots of exercise as well. The temptation to sleep in and hop in my car each morning will be tough, especially as I am at my weakest when my alarm is going off, but I am determined to make it happen!

    Best of luck to everyone in their challenges, I can't wait to hear more about what everyone is going to be doing.

    Jed
  • Genius Rob and a great way to go from talking to doing yourself. I'm in, I just need to think of something to work on for 21 days now :)

    Well done on you for pushing this....
  • Thanks Banksy. I'm really looking forward to hearing what challenges everyone is taking on. Let us all know when you decide on something,,,
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