Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

Lookingforward · 01-22-2009, 06:06 PM

So one would suffer most on the first day and gradually adapt to the habit by day 21?

RRR · 01-22-2009, 07:00 PM

This appears to be the case with many things I have done. Not always suffering either, try adopting habits you enjoy

Muscle grows. Brains re-wire. Tastebuds reform. Novelty is conserved.

SimonaRich · 01-22-2009, 07:09 PM

I usually form habits in around 15 days but to be on the safe side I always go through 30, not 21 day trial.

This way I know that I will not fall out of the habit if some distraction comes along after 30 days and I have to skip one day.

The NorthStar of Hope · 01-23-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonaRich

I usually form habits in around 15 days but to be on the safe side I always go through 30, not 21 day trial.

This way I know that I will not fall out of the habit if some distraction comes along after 30 days and I have to skip one day.

I also follow the same philosophy ..

Lookingforward · 01-24-2009, 12:22 AM

What were your new habits !

Keith · 01-24-2009, 01:11 AM

It's a good rule of thumb. 30 days to be safe is a good model - it also fits more neatly into a calendar month.

But it depends a lot on the habit. If you're an alcoholic, you're unlikely to have zero interest in alcohol after 30 days. Ditto cigarettes - it'll take more than 30 days to completely clean out your system.

In my experience, what the 30 days does is build up momentum. It basically becomes as easy to maintain the habit as to not do it. But if you do stop doing it for a few days (again, depending on the habit) the inertia starts building up again pretty quickly.

Regardless, you'll be in a better position after 30 days than you were at the start.

01-22-2009, 06:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lookingforward Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 8	Is 21 day habit real? So one would suffer most on the first day and gradually adapt to the habit by day 21?

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01-22-2009, 07:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
RRR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Rafael, California Posts: 451	This appears to be the case with many things I have done. Not always suffering either, try adopting habits you enjoy Muscle grows. Brains re-wire. Tastebuds reform. Novelty is conserved.

01-22-2009, 07:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
SimonaRich Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: London, United Kingdom Posts: 912	I usually form habits in around 15 days but to be on the safe side I always go through 30, not 21 day trial. This way I know that I will not fall out of the habit if some distraction comes along after 30 days and I have to skip one day.

01-24-2009, 12:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lookingforward Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 8	What were your new habits !

01-24-2009, 01:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
Keith Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 1,139	It's a good rule of thumb. 30 days to be safe is a good model - it also fits more neatly into a calendar month. But it depends a lot on the habit. If you're an alcoholic, you're unlikely to have zero interest in alcohol after 30 days. Ditto cigarettes - it'll take more than 30 days to completely clean out your system. In my experience, what the 30 days does is build up momentum. It basically becomes as easy to maintain the habit as to not do it. But if you do stop doing it for a few days (again, depending on the habit) the inertia starts building up again pretty quickly. Regardless, you'll be in a better position after 30 days than you were at the start.

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums