Welcome! Subscribe Here30 Things That Take 30 Seconds Each: Which Will You Do To Change The World?
Attitude is foundational to success. A generous person with a positive attitude will thrive. If you change your attitude, you change your perception, change your actions, and change your life. As every life changes, you change the world. Over at Lorelle On Wordpress she challenges bloggers to create a list of 30 things that can each be done in only 30 seconds. Imagine if millions or billions of people each did one of these- how would the world be different? In keeping with the theme of personal development, I have put together ways to improve yourself or others and create a better you in 30 seconds or less. Imagine if everyone did just a few of these at once? Here is my list.
1. Change your tone of voice. For 30 seconds, speak softer, calmer, or just more pleasantly. You might be surprised at the results. Did you know, for example, that a softer voice giving clear instructions commands more authority with children than a yell? If frustrated in a business dealing, try a more peaceful tone, even if only for 30 seconds, and see if it leads to a quicker resolution.
2. Choose one idea you gave up and re-visit it. For 30 seconds, consider giving it one more try. Was there an invention, a project, or some task that just seemed too daunting or frustrating? Choose one and decide to try it one more time. Imagine if everyone mustered up the courage to use their God-given ingenuity in whatever their giftings. What new things would the world see created?
3. For 30 seconds, give someone another chance. Listen for just one more time, re-evaluate a first impression, or give one more opportunity to see if they have changed. You may be surprised.
4. Tell your children “I love you” or “I am proud of you”. Make it meaningful, look them in the eye, and show how you value them. It will mean the world. Imagine if every parent said affirming words to every child, for 30 seconds, everyday.
5. The next time you find yourself wanting instant gratification, impatiently wanting something you cannot have at that moment, give thanks to God for what you already do have for 30 seconds. It may change your attitude.
6. For 30 seconds, stand up straighter and with your head held high. Look others in the eye and walk with confidence. See how great it feels?
7. Choose one thing you were putting off for another time that could be done today, and decide to do it! It only takes 30 seconds to make a decision to act. Be sure you value keeping your promise to yourself, and then know that this will lead to action.
8. Clean up someone else’s mess.
9. Compliment someone with a genuine comment on what you appreciate or respect about them.
10. Stand up for someone or something you believe in. A quick sentence of support can do wonders and expand your influence.
11. Find a way to authentically encourage someone in their efforts with a “you can do it!” comment. Believe in them and show it.
12. Invite someone over (or a group of someones) that you would like to get to know: set a specific time and day for a dinner together. The world could use more socializing. What about you? Take the initiative and make the invitation to a new friendship.
13. Give your spouse a physical sign of affection for 30 seconds in public. Brush your hand softly on her cheek, run your fingers through his hair, give a soft hug, a gentle squeeze of the hand, or a quick kiss. It is good for children to see their parents comfortable with quick displays of affection, and great for strengthening intimacy in marriage. Imagine how closeness might grow in marriages if every couple deliberately showed affection for 30 seconds? Better yet, do it several times a day.
14. Learn 1 new word (preferably from a different language than you already know) or learn a quick and wonderful fact about another culture or country.
15. Write a check for 10% of your monthly income and place it in the mailbox. Send it to your church, a charity, or a worthy cause, but give it away.
16. Pray every morning for 30 seconds to conquer your fear and courageously face all your opportunities, keep your mind open in setting goals and keep your attitude positive. Quickly judge your plan for the day against your priorities (be sure your choices fit with your focus- remember in business and for your family, time is one of your most valuable assets). After the 30 seconds, you may be inspired to make a change.
17. Ask someone “how are you doing?” and then be ready to truly listen.
18. Put $20 in an envelope (or $50 or $100), write “from anonymous”, and secretly (and quickly, to fit in 30 seconds) leave it with someone you know could use it. Doing good deeds without public recognition feels great.. Try it and see!
19. Do something quick for the environment: refuse food in styrofoam, tear apart those plastic things that go around cans and choke birds, or help an animal in distress break free, etc.
20. Choose a great breakfast (your best energy starts with a 30 second decision). Choose to eat no sugar and foods low in starch. Eat more protein and fruit. Start your day right to be more productive.
21. If you have been indoors, get out and feel the sunshine on your face for 30 seconds- it will elevate your mood quickly (if it is 100 degrees outside then feel the sunshine from a more comfortable temperature if possible).
22. Say yes to giving a charitable donation at your local merchant when asked (give one more time than you had planned to give).
23. Register to vote. Just fill out a 30 second card! As you follow this or any registration process of your country, determine to take advantage of the opportunity to vote when it comes, if you are able to do so.
24. Plant a seed (or plant a plant or tree if you have the skills to do so this quickly). Imagine if millions did this at once.
25. Turn off the lights in a room where you are not (turn off the water when not in use, etc.). Every 30 seconds matters.
26. Place a bag by your trash and put a recyclable item inside it. Congratulations, you have now started recycling!
27. Stop any bad habit in 30 seconds. Then keep repeating at 30 second intervals.
28. Seek out laughter and laugh for 30 seconds. Repeat as needed to release tension.
29. Drink water.
30. Imagine for 30 seconds being content with everything you have. Then imagine balancing contentment with striving to continue God’s purpose in you, take an attitude of perseverance, and determine to go for it!
Patricia
[...] Patricia presents 30 Things That Take 30 Seconds Each: Which Will You Do To Change The World? posted at A Better You Blog. [...]
Wow .. thanks alot.. very useful tips ..
[...]30 Things That Take 30 Seconds Each: Which Will You Do To Change The World?[...]
[...] Patricia presents 30 Things That Take 30 Seconds Each: Which Will You Do To Change The World? posted at A Better You Blog. [...]
Very interesting article.
I will use some advices 4 sure.
Thanks!!!
Love the ideas! I run a similar site based on the concept of 5 Minutes. Check it out at http://www.coolpeoplecare.org
I’ll do this for myself, not for the “god” who has basically done nothing for anyone.
30 Things to do in 30 seconds. What an ingenious idea. I think I’ll del.icio.us these. But…..
….they each, individually, take more than 30 seconds to process and think about. Hmmm.
Lovely tips – thanks for sharing these.
Off to try no. 27 now to prevent that afternoon visit to the chocolate machine
good thinking.. stumbled here.
that’s why it will never wor. Frederik Kyleigh.
Truly, small things can make a big difference
I like a lot of these, but there are a few that i don’t particularly like.
14. I don’t particularly think that learning one tidbit about another culture is all that enlightening or even productive. I’d much more suggest everyone take a hiatus from whatever they’re reading now, and pick up a book on another culture. Especially if it’s one that you think you don’t like.
15. Philanthropy is nice, but giving 10% of my monthly income away will quite quickly bring me to the status of needing someone else’s 10%.
18. For the same reason at 15. Though, I’d probably prefer a smaller amount. For instance, put $5 in someone’s coat pocket when they’re not around. It will rather give them that “Ooh! I found $5″ feeling, or they’ll be weirded about about someone messing with their stuff when they aren’t looking
20. I can’t eat breakfast in 30 seconds, and just saying that the decision took less than 30seconds defeats the purpose of a 30-second list.
21. Though I agree that getting outside is good, I would have rolled this and a few others up with “Sit and relax, don’t think about whatever you’re doing for 30 seconds”
27. This is a cop-out on your 30 second rule.
28. This one can be entirely bypassed if people took 30 seconds out of their day to just relax, and not look for a reason to be angry at someone or something.
30. Pretending you’re happy doesn’t sound nearly as productive as, say, taking 30 seconds out of your day to realize that you have food, shelter, water, and probably at least one person who loves you. At the end of the day, so long as you have food, it was a good day.
Other than that, I agree mostly. I don’t appreciate all the deified references. I think it goes against advice to take 30 seconds out of your day to reconsider what you believe, and how little it may make sense.
thank you
This is really great,great tips, I can imagine myself doing all these..
Your copyrighted content has been stolen:
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Thanks for the link of the copier- I am sending them a cease and desist, as this is one of my most popular articles- I appreciate you keeping an eye on scraper sites.
Patricia
Hi nice post! I will be doing #9 a lot today.