Of 30 Day Challenges...

It was not long ago that my wonderful girlfriend Beth embarked on a 30 Challenge. Actually, it was more like a basket of mini 30 day challenges that included daily mediation and making a deliberate effort to get up earlier then normal every day. I fell in step along side her and made the decision that I would also get up earlier then normal. Since I have such a short commute, I would typically get up as late as possible and run around like a Tasmanian Devil riding off into the morning, shirttails flapping in the breeze as I rode off to work.

An interesting thing happened when I found myself up slightly earlier then normal. First of all, mornings became more pleasant. We share a coffee and a chat about the day ahead and eat breakfast together. Second, having already passed the 30 day mark, it has become a habit to get up early (a challenge when it’s dark and cold out). I assume it will get easier as the days get longer and warmer (fingers crossed emoticon). Another pleasant side effect has been that my morning commute has become more relaxed and leisurely. I no longer have that dark cloud hovering over me filled with thoughts like “Hurry up!”, “What if you’re late for something!” and “Ride faster, catch that light!!”. I’ve come to think of it as better Feng Shui of the mind. I have fewer urgent thoughts, clearing up the clouds to allow me to think about more interesting and productive things.

I’m curious on how this connects with creativity. My thought is this - if getting up a little bit earlier can have such delightful and surprising effects - what inspiring effects might other 30 day challenges have?

Last year I bought myself a watercolour paint set on a whim and on January 1st of this year, I sat down and did a simple painting to use as a backdrop for a wooden mask. I’m not a natural graphic artist but found that it was a nice, relaxing unplugged activity. When I dated the back, I thought it would be a zany challenge to do a watercolour painting every day for a whole year! Then I scaled back my zealousness and aimed for 30 days (secretly promising myself I would aim for a whole year). Yesterday was January 30th and I just finished my first 30 days. Next up? 100 days (attainable goals, Ian, attainable goals) and beyond that? The whole year.

The thought process behind this is not to become a better painter, although I hope that comes with the territory, but to paint every day as a form of meditative exercise. To clear the brain, to unplug from technology, wind down after work or before bed and to make a deliberate attempt to develop a creative muscle I rarely use. If creativity is an ability, and I believe it is, then perhaps this is an exercise to help develop an underused mental muscle. There is a lot written about the search for quiet and I feel that this challenge is a meaningful step in that direction. I’m curious as to the creative side effects that transpire from this project!

My trusted friend and colleague Remo says that “Creativity lies in the space between our thoughts.” Let’s see if this project can help push my thoughts a part a little bit to let my creativity breath.

This was my 30 day challenge (now going for 100, and then 365 days). Is it a big stretch? It sure is and that’s why we set goals for ourselves. What’s your 30 day Challenge?