Day 1: Jen's Twenty-One Days to Forge a Habit Experiment

Yesterday was July 20, 2011 - the first day of my 21 Days to Forge a Habit Experiment. My workday was filled with lots of article writing for clients, many lapses in focus, and a burning desire to chuck my computer down from the balcony of our attic apartment conversion here in Gothenburg. LOL. Seriously, sometimes sitting in front of the computer makes me go quite mad, yet writing is my craft and I love the overall process.

The morning turned into noon, noon into the afternoon and then came evening. I knew I had made the commitment to run for 30 minutes, 21 days in a row - yet I kept putting it off and putting it off. Ten p.m. rolled around and I sat on the couch wanting to watch a movie. My better half looked at me and began laughing and asked, "so what about your vow to run for 21 days!" We laughed for a few moments together, but my giggles turned into frustration...and then determination. "We'll see whose laughing in 30 minutes," I yelped.

The next thing I knew I was grabbing my shoes and leashed up Melvin the dog to join me. He was more than thrilled to be getting out for adventure. Luckily life here in Sweden is in full swing at 10pm in the Summer...the sky is still light and men, women and children are out enjoying each and every moment of the season's magic.

Out the door Melvin and I went on  our quest to "be bold." We ran and enjoyed every minute. Our trek took us past the city amusement park, a couple museums, outdoor restaurants and a raging party. Melvin did his best to stay focused, his little legs working hard to keep up. He had to make a few stops to sniff and make is mark on the world and one real big smelly mark in the middle of a public square that required some cleanup...and saw a handful of people watching me scurry to find a piece of paper to pick it up with, so an unsuspecting victim wouldn't step in it.

On my first day of making he commitment to run 21 days in a row, I'd have to say the hardest thing was getting out of the door. I tried to make every excuse not to sit and veg. And to be honest, I had stomach cramps because...well...if you're a woman you know why. I tried to tell myself that because of that I should sit and mope a bit. But I went after all...I didn't run like a marathon pro...just took one stride and then the other. The best part of it all was that when I walked back in the door, I was feeling great! I can't tell you how good it felt to look laziness...and the mockery of my other half in the eyes and say "so there! I did it!!"

Today is day#2 - Let's see what it will bring.

Any of you out there decide to take making a new habit/or breaking one? I'd love to hear about it! Email me at jen@projectbebold.com.

"The victory of success is half won when one gains the habit of setting goals and achieving them. Even the most tedious chore will become endurable as you parade through each day convinced that every task, no matter how menial or boring, brings you closer to fulfilling your dreams."

~ Og Mandino ~

by Jen Engevik