The "21" Barrier

Some myths are quite interesting and they become even more so the more one hears or learns about it. Others just stand there, right in front of you, like a youngster with a cheeky grin, hands on the hips, challenging you with words like 'C'mon, find out for yourself!'. Like that thing about The "21" Barrier.

The idea of what I call The "21" Barrier was first brought to my attention several months ago by a colleague while we were making fun of diets and discussing ways how to change eating habits. He could not remember where he had found the original article on this subject but he claimed that he had tried it and that it really worked. At least for him it did, he added.

Actually there is a lot of frightening or at least questionable stuff available on the web referring to something similar to this 21, some ideas appear reasonable (at least at the first glance) like The Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox. Making use of your favorite search engine you may find some interesting, some hilarious site connected to 21, or just start at WikiPedia.

But my intention here is neither to dig for mystics, nor start (yet another) discussion about conspiracy theories, far from it. I will rather tell you about two self-experiments that left me pondering that there could really be something about this 21 thing. There may be scientific research on the matter I am not aware of but seriously: who cares? Were are talking about goals and how to achieve them.

For me, this rule about keeping up for at least 21 iterations worked three times already, and each time it was a different goal. It has nothing to do with the personal ability to retain the new habit. Clearing that first hurdle will only work as long as one is really willing to bring on a change.

The first time I tried to deal with that barrier was at the very beginning of 2009. I had decided to start running again. I got me a training plan, I got my running clothes out of my wardrobe and, well, started. During the first two weeks it wasn't that hard to go for a run every other day. That changed in week number three and number four. It became a question of will and stamina. And I kid you not when I tell you that I really got used to it. After three months it felt like I was missing something when I had to skip a day's run. So, this one worked - for me.

The latest self-experiment with reference to The "21" Barrier has a different background. After being sick for quite a while I had gotten used to get up late. Having a nine-to-five job I knew I needed to change that. So I started getting up ten to 15 minutes earlier every day over a week. Finally I set my alarm clock to go off at a time in the morning I could deal with and make it to the office on time without stressing me. After sticking to that for two months now I have to say that it really makes getting up easier. Just a bit. So, this one worked too.

As I said there is nothing like a scientific proof of the existence of that "21" Barrier in particular but I validated it to work for me on multiple occasions. It appears to be related to drills and routines of almost any kind. Obviously when things start to happen almost automatically, that is when the hurdle is cleared. And as far as I am concerned it is quite fascinating to find another opportunity to test this and find it working time and time again.

Maybe next time when you have to bring on a change just give it a try - and find out about The "21" Barrier for yourself. Good luck! I mean it!