Matt Cutts of Google has participated in several challenges, in which he performs (or stops performing) an activity for 30 days. His most recent challenge is to not use Twitter for 30 days. Another example was his riding a bicycle to work for a month.
I think this is an excellent practice. Modifying your routines can help you to gain a different perspective, and, depending on the challenge, can have any number of side benefits.
So, I am going to try this out myself. And, since I’m several months behind Matt in doing this, I’m going to start off with a 60-day challenge: to not buy any books for 60 days. In fact, I just cancelled a book I had pre-ordered that was to ship in March.
You may think this is an easy challenge: not so. I am practically addicted to buying books, and have been for years. God only knows how much I’ve spent on them. I still believe it’s essential for us to keep learning throughout our lives, but I also believe I need to get better control of myself in this area. Hence the challenge.
What about you? What new are you willing to do for 30 days, or what are you willing to give up for 30 days?
Very neat idea, Bruce! Does this prevent you from borrowing a book from the Library? You’re still reading voraciously, right? Just not purchasing books?
Hi Thomas, No library books for me, either. Time for a real change for at least 60 days. I don’t think my brain will rot.
I don’t think your brain will rot either. VERY interesting. I’m keenly interested in hearing how this goes for you. Andy Ihnatko gave up buying any kind of physical media for a year (all of 2009). I don’t believe that he has written up the experience yet, but I’m interested to hear what he says about it.