Day 8 | Motivation, 30 Days at a Time

I’m just an average person. I swear it. I don’t have super powers or any kind of extra ability. What I do have is this: motivation. And for me, that motivation comes in 30 Day increments. “But why 30 Days?” I was recently asked. It’s a good question. “Why not 15 days or a full year for that matter?”

If you Google it, there’s a general consensus that it takes roughly 30 Days to establish a habit, sometimes longer, sometimes not so long. But really, 30 Days is a good length of time to get into the groove and to perform motions and behaviors over and over until you can do it without thinking, which is the definition of a habit. Of course there are other considerations, like triggers and replacing past behaviors with new ones. But 30 Days is the span of time to commit. And that all works well for me, but my 30 Days are more than just what Google says is so.

Here’s what I think. There is amazing power in a deadline. I have found pure and unbridled strength by putting myself on a specific timeline. I feel more capable. I feel invincible for 30 Days. Its really kind of amazing. And I draw encouragement, even on my darkest and slowest days, when I can look at the calendar. It can be “Oh! 30 Days to improve.” Or “Oh. Only 4 more days.” It doesn’t matter because whether I’m counting down the days or seeing them all stretched out before me, I am driven by that number to keep moving forward. Each day is a new possibility, and each day is one closer toward goals. Plus, 30 Days feels approachable. It’s mind-wrappable. A year can feel so long, but a month. Yes. I can do anything for 30 Days. And if I can improve who I am and where I am in life in 30 Days, then why wouldn’t I?

But just because it’s approachable, doesn’t mean it’s simple. My 30 days are active, busy, and exciting. I draw from that movement. I love this quote from Aristotle, “Happiness is a state of activity.” It really is, isn’t it? Happiness is something to work toward, a state to strive for. And then when you find it, it’s work to maintain. Happy work, but still energetic and occupied.

I like to think that the new, happier Anna is just 30 Days away.