Everyone desires to grow and improve in as many aspects in life as possible. Some of us are not even consciously aware this desire exists within us. The joy, happiness, and sense of accomplishment we feel when we make even just small progress in our lives, proves it’s a desire embedded in our souls.
So how does one grow and improve? Generally speaking you create good habits and get rid of bad habits and over time, with consistency, we progress. The reality is you are either getting better or you are getting worse. That is probably why there are so many people dissatisfied with their lives, as it takes real consistent effort to escape the ruts we all fall into.
To really kick start a change we need to blow up our daily routine and kick our 21st century comforts to the side. Get comfortable being uncomfortable, start going without all the external noise, stop staring at screens all day, and going without what we are used to having easy access to. Life has become too easy and easy does not equate to growth, it equates to mediocrity at best. Time to get back to silence, face our fears, and get really uncomfortable. I believe there is a way to accomplish this.
What is Personal Hell Week? Personal Hell Week is a week you design for yourself to see what you’re really made of. A week of constant challenge and in some aspects misery. At the same time a week to really grow, improve and get to know your true self at a level never known previously. Basically a week alone with your thoughts in a self induced sentence of discomfort.
The idea was inspired by the Navy Seals infamous “Hell Week“, It is the most difficult part of BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition/Seal) training. Unfortunately most of the world’s population would not be able to handle 1 hour of that grueling grind. Hence the rest of us need an alternative that we can honestly create for ourselves to push us to our limits physically, mentally, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually.
Although it is your own Personal Hell Week, I believe there should be some basic guidelines you can follow as this is supposed to be hard and unpleasant.
- Fasting: There should be an extended water fast (1-3 days) at some point during the week. Starting the week with the fast would probably be best since waiting until the end of the week could be overwhelming. That is an option though since this is supposed to be a Hell Week and waiting for the end of the week could be much harder.
- Physical Challenge: There should be some sort of physical challenge within the week. It could be something you do everyday or an intense multi-way challenge like the David Goggins 4 x 4 x 48, which is running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours. It all depends on your physical conditioning. Just make sure it will be challenging for you.
- Cold Water Only: Whether you are taking a shower or doing dishes there should be no hot water. Also no hot drinks of any kind.
- No Caffeine/ Stimulants: This should be a water only experience. Plain electrolytes and necessary supplements are fine.
- No Comfort Foods: The days you do eat it should only be one meal a day and it should be very basic real foods. Fruits, vegetables, eggs, nuts, meat etc. Personally I will stick to a pound of ground beef and about a cup of sauerkraut for my meal the days I am not fasting.
- Hard Surfaces: Sleep on the hard floor and sit on nothing with a pad or cushion of any kind.
- No Screens, Audio or Outside Noise: No internet, phone, computer, tablets, television, radio, podcasts, audiobooks, newspapers etc. You should only read(not news related) and write during the week.
- Journaling: You want to capture the moments from this week as much as possible so journal and write as much as possible. Get your thoughts, ideas and feelings on paper.
These are just my suggested guidelines. You can incorporate all, some, or none of them. The point is it’s supposed to be hard and not fun. A week you will always remember and reflect on frequently. Hopefully a week so beneficial that you may attempt another Personal Hell Week. Most of us have it within us to pull it off, but the question is whether we can find the willpower and commitment to push through to the finish line.
Before any type of Personal Hell Week is attempted, make sure you consult your physician or health professional to make sure it is safe for you to pursue.