A common maxim is that it takes 30 days to form a new habit.  If true, it should be fairly easy to get new behaviours to stick.  After all, if you can stick with something for 30 days, supposedly you're all set after that.  But is it really true?  Is 30 days all it takes to form new habits and turn things around?

While there is indeed some truth to this, the reality is a little more complicated.  

We've all been at that place where we need a little bit of inspiration, something to breathe fresh life into us and lift our spirits.  A bit of inspiration at the right time can leave you feeling refreshed and renewed, focused and ready to tackle whatever lies ahead.
 
Here are some tried-and-true ways to find inspiration when you need it most.

Have you ever spent time online, only to find afterwards that you couldn't recall most of what you read? That's what happens when you consume large amounts of disparate information all in one go.  You take a lot in, but you wind up retaining very little of it..  

​Think about this:  by heading online, many of us will consume more information  in a day than our ancient ancestors would have consumed over several weeks or months!  This steady stream of incoming information can become mentally exhausting after a while.  And much of the time, it distracts us while providing little in the way of real substance and lasting value.
 
Leaving the online world and spending time in a book can do wonders for your mental health and well-being.  Here are three compelling reasons to get offline and into a good book.

Imagine someone coming away from a serious car crash with a major leg injury.  While the crash only lasted a few seconds, the effects of the injury are  long lasting.  Months of rehabilitative work will be needed as the leg heals, to bring it back to its original condition.  
 

Getting back to full functionality takes time.

Getting back to a place of full functionality after a physical injury takes time, effort, and support; we have no problem accepting this.  Yet when it comes to emotional injuries, we often expect much more of ourselves.  We can be incredibly hard on ourselves, thinking we should be able to recover quickly and easily, all on our own.  

There's a stability and inner calm that comes with feeling like you're on top of things.  Who wouldn't want to feel this way?  Yet so many people don't feel this way at all.  Instead, they're busy, rushed, and stressed, as they struggle to keep up with everything going on. 

When you're already stretched, it doesn't take much to knock you off balance and throw you off course.  Even something minor can be overwhelming and difficult to deal with.  
 
Here are three reasons why you're feeling busy, rushed, and stressed; and how you can start turning things around.

Inspiration can come from many sources, including a  world-renowned, legendary boxer like Muhammad Ali. 
 
During his heyday, Ali was in a class of his own.  He had an agile body, quick feet, and a clever tongue; and he adroitly leveraged all these strengths to gain a physical and psychological edge over his opponents. 
 
Outside the ring, Ali was a man of conviction, from his conversion to the Nation of Islam and subsequent name change (from Cassius Clay), to his refusal to serve in the U.S. Army and vocal opposition to the Vietnam War.  He was also known as a warm, kind-hearted, generous man with lots of love to give, which he poured out on family, friends, fans, and children. 

In Ali’s book The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey authored with his daughter Hana Yasmeen Ali, his warmth shines through as his shares his inspiring recipe for a good life

You know the feeling, that inner exhaustion that seems all-encompassing.  You're missing your inner spark; you no longer have the enthusiasm that makes you want to dive into your day.  You're not depressed, but you feel inwardly tired and and it's hard to get motivated.

These are symptoms of being emotionally drained, and the impact can reach across all areas of your life.  In order to regain your emotional energy and equilibrium, you need to know what's causing the problem. 

Here are five common reasons why you may be feeling emotionally drained.

We've all gone through periods when we felt tired, stuck, or unmotivated.  Your energy is down, and simply getting through each day may feel like a challenge.  Pushing yourself to take action during these times can be difficult, yet this is often precisely what's needed to start turning things around.   
 
In her book I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was, Barbara Sher emphasizes the importance of action when you're feeling stuck.  She also makes the connection between action and luck.  In short, your willingness to take some type of action directly influences the amount of good luck that comes your way.
 
Sher provides four good reasons for taking action, even when you're unclear about what you want or feeling unmotivated. 

If you’re ready to improve your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, grab your journal and start writing.  Your state of mind will be positively impacted while you’re writing; and you’ll continue to reap additional benefits long after you put your pen down.

 
Managing thoughts and feelings.

At any given time, you may have a complicated mix of thoughts and feelings swirling around in your head.  Managing all those thoughts and feelings is no easy feat.  

Barbara Sher (14 August 1935 – 10 May 2020) was more than a successful therapist, author, career counselor, and public speaker.  She was a kind, compassionate, warm, and caring human being who shared generously from her wealth of knowledge, wisdom and insight.

Sher's expertise, creativity, and great sense of humour all contributed to her appeal.  But what made her so magnetic was her love for people and deep desire to see them reach their full potential.  Sher was passionate about helping people live rich, joyful, and fulfilling lives.  She was devoted to helping people overcome obstacles on the way to achieving their dreams.