There are 35 days left of 2015.
35 days.
I know this because I found myself pondering the impending New Year this morning. Which is unusual, because I’m get so wrapped up in the joy and excitement of December that the 1st of January kinda sneaks up on me.
I’m sure I had some goals (aka resolutions) for 2015. But I can’t remember them now, which gives you a pretty good idea of how well I’ve stuck to them. Considering there are still some areas of my life that I would like to improve, I started fantasising about all the things I could do in 2016.
Then I remembered, there are 35 days left until the 1st of January 2016.
That’s a whole month and a bit to accomplish something. As my lazy mind kicked in to put it off until 2016, I decided that enough was enough. I’m not going to relegate the things I want more of in my life to the strange (and let’s face it, ridiculed) tradition of New Year’s resolutions. It’s almost like they’re doomed the day you make them. I’m going to get a head start.
I’m going to challenge myself (and you) to commit to doing one thing for the rest of 2015.
A 35 day challenge, if you like.
And to make it entirely doable and easy on ourselves, I really only want you to pick one thing.
Yep, just one simple thing.
In my case, I’ve chosen exercise. I’ve found that exercise is my keystone habit. If I exercise, I’m more productive, I’m in a better mood and my creative flow comes to me much easier. It’s the habit that makes all of my other habits seem simple. But I’m not very good at making myself do it and I’m really good at counting my walk to the coffee shop around the corner as exercise.
So my #headstartonething is going to be:
I will intentionally exercise for at least 10 minutes every day until 2016.
I’ve chosen 10 minutes because I want this thing to be doable. I can always carve out 10 minutes of my day. I intend to do a lot of 30+ minute Yoga with Adriene classes (because she’s my fave), but I also want the option of an extended workout from the famed 7 Minute Workout App, or 10 minutes of skipping to be my fall back on a busy day.
Like I said, something simple and small that you’re willing to do every day between now and the New Year.
I’m also making the printable you see in the photo above into a free download. No need to sign up to anything, just click below, print it out and stick it somewhere you’ll see. If you’re up for taking the challenge with me, colour each little heart in for a day you do your one thing. The aim is to not break the chain and finish the year with a bang!
I’ll be doing this, so if you’d like to see my progress and share photos of your own one thing, just hashtag them as #headstartonething on Instagram and I’ll be sure to like and comment.
With that said, I’m off to do a yoga class. Wish me luck!
And regardless of if you’re up for the challenge or not, I’d love to hear the one thing you’d like to do every day for the rest of 2015 in the comments section below.
Much love and yoga pants,
Naomi
P.S. If you happen to stumble across this after the day it goes live and want to join in, please do! And you totally get to colour in any hearts left over at the end if you don’t break the chain. Consider it a bonus for not thinking ‘Oh I’ve missed the boat, I’ll just have to wait until New Year’ 😉
This is awesome Naomi! I’m going to commit to writing something each day – whether that be one sentence or a page long of thoughts, notes, etc. Thanks girl! xx
Excellent Tiffany! My husband’s just decided to do the same challenge as you. Hope the printable comes in handy 🙂
Love this idea! I’m big on Seinfeld’s “don’t break the chain” productivity theory. Even growing up, it worked so well for me. My parents could get me to do anything with a sticker chart because I hated missing a day and a sticker. 😛 I’m going to try to write outside of my day job every day for at least 30 minutes!
Oh my God, I’m so exactly the same with the Chain Theory Brittany! Good luck with your writing challenge, keep me updated.
What an excellent plan, Naomi! I’m also a huge fan of Yoga with Adriene, but have never made the time to do it regularly.
I’m going to join your challenge – it’s the boost I need to work a bit of self-care back into my life!
Sally, I’ve been doing it for the last three days (I got a head start on my head start) and I am SORE. But sore in that really nice, I’m-doing-something-good-for-my-body kind of way. Looking forward to sharing this with you 🙂
Love this Naomi! Fits perfectly with my belief that there is time this year to get stuff done and start building momentum into the new year! Thanks so much for sharing!
So glad you stopped by Kathryn!
I’m a personal trainer and I LOVE your goal!!!!
A little trade secret is that breaking down the “ideal” 30 min/day of cardio goal (even walking counts for this) into 10-15 min chunks gets you the same benefit as doing it all at once.
Cheering you on from Houston, TX 🙂
What an excellent tip Catherine. Thank you for sharing some of your expertise with me 🙂
Ps. I LOVE Texas, I’ve been there a few times, never to Houston though, maybe next time!