Challenging myself for 30 days

I signed up for my first Bikram Yoga 30-day challenge two days ago.   Yesterday at 9.05 a.m., I opened my front door, took the first step into -12^o weather and headed to my class. One step at a time on sidewalks and streets filmed over with snow, ice and salt, I moved forward. Nothing was stopping me …. at least, not on that day.

 

I did have a few second thoughts about this whole Bikram Challenge (It’s too cold! Why don’t I wait for summer when it’s warm? Am I crazy? I don’t have to do this! Yada yada yada). But those dissipated along with the near-vertical snow blowing in my face because I was committed and prepared.

 

I had decided to do the Challenge when I was in Jamaica a few days prior. It seemed like such a good idea then – so easy – just get up each day and walk to class. On my return to Toronto, I did a pre-Challenge class after which I proudly wrote my name on the board.   My commitment was no longer my closely-guarded secret – it was public.
Writing my name on the board was easy – how was I going to back up my stated commitment with action? My action-orientation tracked into ready-mode – I needed to have a simple system that would support me. To do the class every day, there are two critical things – I have to know what time the classes are and I have to make sure I have everything I need for the class.

 

So I placed ALL the yoga classes for the next week in my calendar, so that I would be able to plan my appointments around one class per day. That spurred changing the time of an appointment yesterday to facilitate my starting on schedule. Secondly, I packed my bag from the night before. Everything was ready at the door of my bedroom – mat, yogawear, water bottle, towels, house keys. I had no excuse e.g. “I can’t find my (fill in the blanks) so I can’t go today”.

 

And that’s how I made it out the door despite the weather. I was prepared.

 

Here’s the thing – it’s easy to state a commitment. But making the commitment requires actions consistent with that commitment. And that means different behaviours. Such behaviours do not happen because we wish them, but because we decide what they are and put in place systems to support us.

 

So, will I be going to class on Day 2? Well, my bag is already packed from last night, and my calendar has already told me via IPhone, IPad and MacBook that having missed the 10.00 a.m. class, I can attend the 4.00 p.m. class. No excuses, because I am committed and prepared.