Folks have been landing on my site during the past few weeks and many asked what the heck this 40 Days thing is all about. Here’s the straight scoop on one way I’ve learned to make and keep commitments to myself. How do you do it?
Shortly before my 40th, I awoke from a dream wondering what day, exactly, would mark 40 days before my milestone birthday. I felt strongly that something special was in order. Something intense, and intensely different. And thus was born the 40 Days Before my 40th Giveaway project. During that period, I gave away ideas, photography, advice, clothes, things and obligations and did it in public, via Twitter and Facebook.
It was an intense experience because it was LONG, very personal and, as usual, I quickly realized I bit off (almost) more than I could chew. I cleared my closet. I made new friends. I got more done during those 40 days than I had in the previous 40, on business, client and personal projects that had been dying on the vine.
The first cycle was so powerful that I did another 40-day cycle, this time with a different theme: Remembering. I focused on remembering loved ones no longer breathing air, lessons I’d learned but didn’t practice and those “sure things” that helped me and others finish what they started. To my surprise and pleasure, folks started joining in, starting their own commitment and accountability cycles, commenting, playing along. It was wonderful.
When that cycle ended, I realized that what I really needed to focus on–what I’d been shirking (with vigor!) was my body. So, I embarked on a 10-day cycle–a length I knew I could commit to and would not have to work at too hard. It went well–I had great support–but WOW, did I feel lame inside because I KNEW I wasn’t walking my talk, at ALL. I get paid to push people through very difficult transitions, and they will tell you: I expect a lot from them, and I give a lot to their processes. And yet, I was not doing what I knew needed doing–for myself.
If this is your intro to the current cycle, here’s Day One of: 40 Days Of My Body. This is a quest to spend 40 days working on my body, in service to my business and my own path of finishing what I start. I am committed to exercising 6 days/week, keeping a food journal and being more aware of ways I use (and abuse) my body. Going public is extreme, yes, and it’s working for me and the 18 folks who have jumped into the fray!
Join us by making your own commitment. What needs doing in your personal life or your career? Please share your ideas and plans in the comments.
Image by eschipul. Used under a Creative Commons license.
