I was trying to use a politically correct word, “despise”, rather than express how I really feel..ha ha

I used to get excited when I’d see someone post a “30 Day Challenge”. Then every time I turned around, there was another one. The challenge became NOT getting hooked on them.

Aside from them being just another fad (in my opinion), I never finished one because they were too hard for me. Even if they started out easy (although they rarely did), the next day and then the next got way beyond me. I just gave up because I couldn’t do what “they” prescribed. Also, i really didn’t know where it was going to take me. Despite all the hype, it generally takes more than 30 days for a habit to be really embedded and new neural circuits to be created.

I just didn’t have a real “why” other than it seemed like “maybe this time it’ll stick” – alas, it never does.

We say we like challenges and at some point we probably do but I really don’t like that word. If I had to pick one instead, it would be “accomplish” or “accomplishment”.

The idea is to figure out what you want to do in general terms, like “get fit” or “write a book” or whatever you want. Then, break it down into really really small pieces. Why? Isn’t that too tiny to motivate you? That’s the point. You want to be able to do it every day whether you’re motivated or not. To say “I’m going to run 5 miles every day” might not be doable EVERY day, especially if you’re just starting. I’ve talked about chunking in my book and I use it all the time, especially in long races. I just have to make it out the door (unless I’m at a race, then it’s assumed I made it out the door). That is a win, an accomplishment. Tomorrow I also have to make it out the door, not bump up higher like most of the “challenges” do. For many (including and especially me), just getting out the door can be a challenge.

The point to all of this is that if you’re going to engage in (or even promote) a “challenge”, it needs to be customized to fit your situation. And it needs to be something you will do every day – that’s why it has to be so easy. Good book is Mini-Habits by Stephen Guise. Excellent ideas.

Have a “challenging” (whatever that means to you) day!