Try Something New for 30 Days
Published on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 – 9:28 amI recently came across this inspiring video by Matt Cutts and thought it was worth sharing here. Why don’t you try something new for 30 days?
I’ve personally done this and have started long-boarding, playing indoor soccer and going to the gym four days a week. I’ve been doing this for about 2 months now and funnily enough, I now have more time as my productivity has gone through the roof.
The new schedule has forced me to become more organised and the exercise has allowed me to stay up longer. I’m no expert in organisation or productivity, but I’ve certainly noticed these areas improve over the past two months. I wish I had done this earlier.
I’ve also started reading more and am currently getting into ‘4 Hour Body‘ by Tim Ferris and ‘Yes! Attitude‘ by Jeffrey Gitomer. Both great books. Inside 4 Hour Body, Ferris asks Richard Branson “What is your number one tip for productivity?”. Branson’s reply: “Work out”.
So, try something new for 30 days! Work out, play sport, take up a hobby, work on your personal branding. I dare you.
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Matt on Jul 27, 2011 said:
Looks like Matt Cutts could do with going to the Gym and take his own advice
Marius on Jul 27, 2011 said:
Good advice. Interestingly enough I also notice my productivity increasing when I am being very active.
Jamie Wayne on Jul 27, 2011 said:
I can vouch for this. I was playing tennis and taking walks in the morning before starting my day with either school work or freelance work. I must say, that having the urge to do those two activities gave me the motivation to be up earlier, get to my work earlier, have it done by afternoon and that leaves the rest of the day for blogging, school, or reading.
Josh on Jul 27, 2011 said:
I definitely agree with you when you say becoming more active forces you to become organized, fitting the gym into the mix three or four times a week requires planning for sure. Thanks for this post Jacob, it managed to inspire me, so I’ll take you up on your dare and use that inspiration to revamp my website over the next 30 days… something I’ve been meaning to get to for the last while. Thanks again
Jason Vana on Jul 27, 2011 said:
Thanks for sharing this Jacob. It’s really inspiring. I’m going to take the next few days to figure out what I want to do, and use the month of August to try it. Should be an interesting journey.
Alex on Jul 28, 2011 said:
Really good advice. Being active in general has always given me great benefits. I must admit I have got lazy recently but in the past doing something like working out for a couple of weeks snowballed into eating healthily and taking up extra hobbies. It’s a really good feeling, kinda addictive!
alexander spliid on Jul 28, 2011 said:
Crap! give me a pizza and a hell lot of coke, and i’ll show him productivity!
Chris Lane on Jul 28, 2011 said:
So Jacob, did you ever finish the 100 pushup challenge? I seem to remember you got sidetracked as that was when you first moved to NYC? Maybe you could incorporate that into your new 30 day challenge, eh?
Good advice all around, to try new things and to be active. Keeps one going, certainly.
Alejandro on Jul 28, 2011 said:
Excellent advice. I’ve taken up swimming, something I haven’t done since undergrad… It’s made a world of difference and my tan is sweet.
Great post J.
Miguel Angel Navarro on Jul 28, 2011 said:
Yeah, thanks for sharing. i was stocking at home every day in front of my mac… it’s time for doing something a bit different…
Manayer on Jul 28, 2011 said:
I came across this when I added TED as an iphone application and after I watched it, I did try something new which is reading. I used to read when I had the time but them I stopped because I got so busy with my life and now I’m happily back to it
Natarajan on Jul 29, 2011 said:
Thanks for sharing this Jacob.
Ann on Jul 29, 2011 said:
Yes play sport, even lawn bowls when older and you will feel better
Teresa Hernandez on Jul 29, 2011 said:
Love this idea…I think my world just got a little brighter, I am going to give this a try! Thank you!
YourTubeTheme on Jul 31, 2011 said:
Imagine if everyone did this 12 times a year. I bet we would not be in this mess that are in today. Great post Jacob.
Ryan McNamara on Jul 31, 2011 said:
The only time I get to think properly is when I’m exercising or dreaming! They are the best two times of the day.
Jacob Cass on Jul 31, 2011 said:
Matt,
Maybe next month?
Jamie,
Thanks for the extra vouche!
Josh,
Good luck with the website revamp.
Jason,
Let me know what you end up doing!
Chris,
I got pretty close, but I got sick and had to stop doing it to focus on getting better. I should avenge it and try it again! Did you give it a go?
Chris Lane on Jul 31, 2011 said:
Jacob,
Yes I did it back when you mentioned it. It took a week or two extra, but I eventually made it! Though, I doubt I could do 50 in a row again. It’s amazing how quickly those abilities fade. Good luck if you try it again!
Paul on Jul 31, 2011 said:
Spot on. Activity always does increase my productivity. I haven’t been very active in the last few months, though.
Better get back to playing some sport
Murdoc on Aug 1, 2011 said:
Interesting read. I sure got something to think about now.
Jason Vana on Aug 1, 2011 said:
Jacob – I’m looking at running 2-3 times a week, lifting 2 times a week and trying to read at least a chapter of any book a day. I am a pretty avid reader, but I’ve been slacking this summer. Time to up the game.
Carolyn on Aug 2, 2011 said:
I’m going through some difficult times in my life. I’m only 21 years old and my life is almost a routine! This video motivated me to do something new!. Jacob, you’re a genius!
ratanapater on Aug 3, 2011 said:
Well for im starting it now 10 days ago, im now trying to have a crash course on being a graphic artist, i came into your blog because im looking for inspiration from the other artist and i saw your being featured at abduzeedo..well for now i want to be a productive person like you and make something great, useful and worthwhile for 30 days! thanks for the blog anyway…
LMargison on Aug 4, 2011 said:
http://vimeo.com/27244727
Inspiration!
Jerlyn on Aug 8, 2011 said:
I must say it’s very rewarding trying something new especially if it’s out of your daily routine.
This year has been:
Running a half marathon (I loved it so much I’m trying another).
Tango (Loved it so much I’m going beyond 30 days) and Belly Dancing.
Goals always help you push forward because you feel like you’re always working towards something.
Great post!
Simon on Aug 9, 2011 said:
I used to do all kinds of outdoor sports almost daily when I was single and before I went freelance. Now I just keep designing and writing all day long. Maybe it is time to revert. All is in our head.
Object Synergy on Aug 10, 2011 said:
Great Idea , This video motivated me to do something new!.
Now am going to change my routine work will do other activities,
Integraphix on Aug 10, 2011 said:
Studies show you have to do something for 30 days to actually create a change within yourself. I have done this recently by giving up sugar, for REAL. It works. I love this article.
//Beth @ the Phoenix Web Design
Virtual Agents on Aug 15, 2011 said:
Trying something new is a great thing to do, you’ll experience and learn something new that would help or improved your self and your business as well.
Daryl James on Aug 19, 2011 said:
When I think back to being in college and working full-time, I realize how true this post is. Compared to then, I have 5 times the free time, but have never seemed to accomplish as much. I always attributed it to the energy of youth, but perhaps there’s something to that exercise thing?
Stewart on Aug 24, 2011 said:
Great advice, Trying something new is a great thing to do keeps the mind young and fresh
Adam Clarke on Nov 4, 2011 said:
I find it really helps to make sure not to stop for even one day and you will have no trouble getting through it. its lots of fun!
Rob on Nov 17, 2011 said:
I always try to do something new, something exciting,its so important, otherwise you will find your self bored and depressed