How to plan a 30 day challenge in 7 steps

Planning a successful 30 day challenge is about having an ultimate goal and using the 30 days to reach that goal.

The new year has always been known for starting new habits or challenges but to be honest that is the worst time, because there are lots of distractions during that time of year and I think you should start a 30 day challenge anytime.

It’s not hard to start a challenge, It just requires a little bit of planning and motivation to complete it.

Why take on a 30 day challenge?

Simply to become better at something or to break a habit, and in some cases it is both. 

It’s also shown that repetition and putting yourself out of your comfort zone will help you become better at whatever task you’re doing. 

A challenge can also lead to a new habit forming. This will make you feel better about yourself and even a better person, such as reading before you go to bed or quitting a bad habit.

Apart from the end results, my favourite thing about a challenge is the excitement of when you’re planning and starting a challenge, once you complete the 30 days you’re better off than you were previously. If that’s not motivation enough, I don’t know what is. 

I’ve tried challenges to improve my cooking, fitness and mindfulness. All simple to do and have resulted in good long-term habits. 

What’s the difference between a Challenge and a habit?

They kinda of are the same in a way because you set a goal to do something everyday. 

A challenge is usually done for a period of time such as 30 days or more in the hope to become better at something or to change a habit. A challenge can certainly become habit forming if you continue to do it.

A habit is ongoing and can be done every day. Since it doesn’t have an end date. It will only stop when you decide to not do it anymore.

I like to think that a challenge is when you’re making a change or it’s something that you’re trying out because you want to better yourself, for example a photography challenge. Whereas a habit you’re trying to keep on doing the task for long periods of time.

Challenges have a lot of enthusiasm when you’re starting them and working towards completing them in 30 days. Habits are simply on going and you’re making sure to keep track of whether you are doing it or not. 

Tracking your challenge

You don’t need to complicate tracking your challenge. Just use your mobile phone calendar, a small notebook or a printable that is specific to the task.

Choose what is convenient and stick to it. 

My personal preference is to use a small notebook to mark off the day and add any notes or if I had an issues during the 30 days.

So don’t just have a tick box for completion you need to also know about skipped days and any issues that come up? Did you come up short? If so by how much. 

Some challenges also need space for setting the daily challenges which is important to reaching the end goal. 

In the past I’ve used symbols to cut down on writing space when I do my nightly planning. Smiley emojis to show mood and circle with quarters to show how much was completed on the day, leaving more room for notes.

How to plan a 30 day challenge

To plan a successful 30 day challenge you need to look at the bigger picture first and then break it down to smaller daily challenges otherwise you may not complete it. 

I would also recommend transitioning to a habit tracker after the challenge so you can continue on the good work you’ve started. This is the technique I’ve used and it has worked well for me.

1. Your 30 day challenge can start any day

It just needs to go for 30 days, so cut out the distractions and start your challenge today.  you don’t need to start on the 1st of the month or even in the new year. Just get going otherwise you’re procrastinating and that’s not good.

2. Pick a challenge that means something to you

It’s excellent that you want to start a challenge but ask yourself what is it that you’re trying to achieve and is it the right challenge to do? Because you don’t want to stop a few days in and change it to something else.

A lot of people do fitness challenges and do things like sit-ups or burpees or go for a run. have a clear understanding why you’re doing the challenge.

3. Set a goal that you can reach

It’s great to aim high, but you have to be realistic. Don’t make the challenge too difficult, and give up a few days later. It’s better to make the challenge easy and start a harder challenge straight after to keep the momentum going.

For example if you want to start running but you’ve got bad knees, doing a 30 day challenge where you walk everyday is a good start and then the next 30 days you can do a walk to run challenge.  Once you build up your confidence and staninmata, try 30 days of running. The important thing to remember is you have already accomplished so much even before you were ready for the actual challenge. 

4. Plan out the 30 days ahead of time

Depending on the challenge you’re doing you should plan it out before you start.  Some challenges that are the same every day such as drinking 8 glasses of water a day or going for a 30 minute walk don’t need too much planning. 

But if you have a challenge where the end goal is not easily attainable such as losing weight or if you want to become good at something you need to break it down into smaller chunks, and work towards your goal  so you reach it in 30 days. 

Start with the end goal and work your way back. 

• When will you start and end?
• What is your goal after the 30 day challenge?
• What needs to be done every day to complete the challenge 
• How are you going to achieve your daily goal?
• What time everyday will you do the challenge?

5. Track your results

Use a 30 day challenge printable or a notebook to keep you on track.  This may sound obvious but you’d be surprised how many people don’t do this. 

It’s an important part of the challenge because it helps you to keep on track and gives you insight where you may be failing if you didn’t complete it.

Also it’s an excellent motivator when you can see visually how you are going and how long you have to go.

6. Make your 30 day challenge public

It is simply to make yourself accountable and that you’re going to finish it. If you let people know and bring it up in conversation you will feel more motivated to complete the challenge.  

Better still get a friend involved. It’s more fun when you have a buddy during the challenge to motivate each other.

If the challenge is sensitive or private it’s perfectly fine to not share. What I suggest in that case is set a daily reminder on your phone to keep you accountable.

7. Assessing your 30 day challenge

Did you meet your goal? What could you do to improve your next challenge?

Before closing out your challenge write some notes on how you went overall and ask yourself. 

• Did you achieve what you set out to do?
• Did you find it hard to complete?
• What obstacles did you have to overcome?
• Did you need extra motivation
• What would you do differently next time?
• Do you need to redo the challenge for a better result?

31 challenges to consider trying 

1. Read before going to bed
2. Do light exercise at lunchtime
3. Increase your fruit intake
4. Clean a little bit every day
5. Walk 10,000 Steps
6. Learn a new thing everyday
7. Let anything for 30 days
8. Limit social media to an hour a day
9. Take a photo everyday
10. Go to bed early
11. Eat more vegetables
12. Take up a hobby 
13. Read a joke every day
14. Increase family time
15. Stop a bad habit
16. 30 days of no spend
17. Cook something different
18. Start a journal 
19. Talk to a friend 
20. Do a puzzle 
21. Try something new
22. Save $10 a day for 30 days
23. Compliment your spouse for 30 days
24. Learn a new word for 30 days
25. Work on your handwriting
26. Start a new sport
27. Limit TV for 30 days
28. Start a side business
29. Practice your typing 
30. Learn to knit or crochet
31. Lose weight

FAQ on 30 day Challenges

Conclusion

30 day challenges are great if you want to kick a bad habit or even introduce a new one. Set yourself an attainable goal to reach in 30 days. It’s ok if you didn’t finish your challenge as long as you go back and reassess why you couldn’t complete it and adjust so you can try again.