21 Day Challenge – The Happiness Advantage

I saw a video about this “21 Day Challenge – The Happiness Advantage” on YouTube (a TED talk) and am going to try it.

Watch the video when you get a chance (12 mins). It’s good. In a nutshell, here’s what it is:

The 21 Day Happiness Advantage

The challenge consists of 5 activities that you commit to doing everyday for 21 days.

1. Record 3 new things that you’re grateful for. – This will rewire your brain to recognize and look for the positive.
2. Journal about one positive experience you’ve had over the past 24 hours. – This will help your brain to relive that positive memory instead of the negative or embarrassing ones which tend to take up space in our heads.
3. Exercise – This teaches your brain that your behavior matters. The key with this is to do manageable amounts of exercise every day. You’re teaching yourself discipline. Exercising everyday proves to yourself that you can follow through on your promises.
4. Meditation -This will help you to get over the cultural ADHD that exists all around us. It will allow your body and mind to focus on the tasks at hand. I know nothing about meditation, so I’ll have to research a bit on this.
5. Random Acts of Kindness – Simple and easy. All you have to do is open your e-mail, or twitter, or Facebook. Now, write one positive thing that praises or thanks someone in your social network. It could be public or private, that’s up to you.

I’m adding on my own bonus activity to this. I eat out once a week, so what I’ll do is I’ll pay it forward for one guest that’s eating out as well. I won’t tell them I’m paying for them, the waitress will take care of that after I leave. If you think about it, it’s just like $10 a week and it’s something that could have a ripple effect.

I’ll document my challenge on here. Follow along with me and feel free to add comments along the way! My wife is documenting her progress in her blog » Nicole Kragthorpe’s Blog.

If you want to do it as well, you’re welcome to post your journals in the comments. I’m happy to keep them here for you!

Let’s get happier and spread our happiness out!

21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 1
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 2
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 3
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 4
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 5
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 6
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 7
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 8
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 9
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 10
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 11
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 12
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 13
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 14
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 15
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 16
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 17
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 18
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 19
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 20
21 Day Happiness Challenge – Day 21