I'm determined to become the most productive, healthiest, hard-working, and smartest thinking person that I can possibly be. After all, isn't that what personal development is all about? In order to do so, I have planned to do a number of personal development experiments. These experiments will allow me to test new habits and see if they are  something that I would like to continue or get rid of.

I will do this by setting a commitment to do each experiment for 21 straight days. Sometimes that will mean exactly 21 straight days. Other times it will mean 21 straight business days, if it's a productivity experiment. Nevertheless, I hope that after each experiment, I will have developed a new good habit that will make me that much closer to developing my perfect lifestyle.

My goal with this is to find out first-hand what works and what doesn't. For example, instead of preaching about a goal setting technique, I want to be able to show the exact results and hard data as to why it did or didn't work.

Below, you will find the experiments that I have completed so far. Each experiment includes the dates of completion and also the results of what happened.

I hope you will learn from these personal development experiments, and either try them out yourself, or come up with new 21-day trials to help yourself form new habits. If you do, please tell me about it. I hope you enjoy...

Speed Reading - Feb. 1, 2012 through Feb. 21, 2012 What I Did - Learned how to speed read and began doing drills daily to help my reading speed and comprehension. Reason - Be able to get through more great books in my lifetime.

5K To Half Marathon - Jan. 28, 2012 through Feb. 26, 2012 What I Did - I tried to complete running a half marathon distance of 13.1 miles, after my previous long distance was a 5K at 3.1 miles. Reason - Training for an upcoming half marathon.

Weight Gain Experiment - Jan. 28, 2011 through Feb. 22, 2011 What I Did - I tried to gain as much muscle as possible in a short 3-4 week period. Reason - I love challenges, and I thought this would be a fun challenge to help me bulk up.

Motivational Calendar Experiment - Dec. 2, 2009 through Dec. 23, 2009 What I Did - I created a Seinfeld calendar to see if it provided any motivation to continue writing. Reason - I was what Jim Rohn calls the "Hershey bar plan" and I wanted to get myself out of it forever!

Brain Vitamins Experiment - March 23, 2009 through Apr. 1, 2009 What I Did - I tested to see if some new supplements I had been reading really do improve focus and concentration. Reason - I'm always looking for ways to increase productivity. And the research I was finding made me very curious.

8 Minute Mile With A Running Weight Vest - Feb. 20, 2009 through Mar. 7, 2009 What I Did - Attempt to jog an eight minute mile with a twenty pound weight vest strapped to my back. Reason - I wanted to get back in the jogging habit, and see if adding a weight vest was healthier on the brain.

Online Writing Experiment - Jan. 19, 2009 through Feb. 09, 2009 What I Did - Write for at least 10 minutes every morning for 21 days, after I eat breakfast. Reason - I want to get in the habit of improving this site each and every day. Onling Writing Week One Update - Jan. 19, 2009 - Jan. 26, 2009 Onling Writing Week Two Update - Jan. 27, 2009 - Feb. 02, 2009 Onling Writing Week Three Update - Feb. 03, 2009 - Feb. 09, 2009

Push Up Workout - Dec 9, 2008 through Dec 29, 2008 What I'm Doing - One set of push ups every single day for 21 straight days. Reason - To see if I have the willpower to stick with any program for 21 days. To make progress towards my goal of 100 push ups. Push Up Workout Update - Jan. 19, 2009 - Feb. 08, 2009

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