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I find challenges much easier and more do-able than resolutions. There is no expectation of winning or losing against yourself in a challenge like there is with a resolution. Plus, resolutions, in my opinion, focus on ENDING hard-to-break habits: “I resolve to quit smoking” or “I resolve to lose weight.” On the other hand, we can create self challenges that focus on STARTING new-and-healthy habits: “I will eat fruit every day for the next 10 days” or “I will walk 3 miles every day for the next 30 days.”
I’m no psychiatrist or psychologist, but I think STARTING something new has got to be much easier than ENDING something we’ve been doing over and over for years. So, instead of focusing on cutting out the sweets, not spending money we don’t have, quitting the booze, smoking less or quitting, I say let’s challenge ourselves to start doing something positive right along side the bad stuff we do.
I can’t just stop drinking coffee everyday. (I would go through some type of mental and physical withdrawal and who wants that?) Instead of resolving to quit coffee, I am going to challenge myself to practice yoga EVERY day for the next 60 days. I predict that if I meet this challenge, I’ll probably keep doing it for another 60 days. Also, I’ll probably end up drinking less coffee just because I’ll be too busy sweating and looking for water. But even if I don’t succeed, I haven’t failed. I’ll probably just restart the clock and try again, unlike resolutions that just get broken and generally stay broken until next New Year’s.
Challenges can be anything. Simple or hard. Physical or mental. Just something new we have never accomplished but would like to be able to say, “Hey, I did this, and it felt great!”
Some ideas (or not):
1. I’m going to take lessons to learn how to play the piano (or whatever).
2. I’m going to send a postcard a day to someone I love for the next 60 days.
3. I’m going to save a dollar a day for the next 30 days.
4. I’m going to read a book a week for the next 8 weeks.
5. I’m going to write in my diary/journal every day for the next 30 days.
6. I’m going to prepare my family a home-cooked meal every day for the next 30 days.
7. I’m going to pick up my dirty clothes off the floor (without my wife/girlfriend nagging me to do it ) every day for the next week…(hehehe!)
How will you challenge yourself? I’d love to hear about your plans.
Resolutions Comic
Love it … it makes so much sense because at the end of the day nobody wants to change. Im doing a 30 day Raw food challenge right now and have 11days left. Thanks Paula, you are inspiring me to pick up a new challenge!
Great inspiration. I feel this gives me a bit more traction, rather than feeling overwhelmed with what I “should” be doing. THANKS!
A much more positive approach! Happy New Year Paul! You will succeed at whatever you try.
Thank you, Cindy. I love your blog. I’ll be adding it to “Blogs I Read.”
I agree. I’m doing the ultra hike challenge. This will force me to get off my butt and work hard to be successful in this event.
http://www.ultrahike.com
The trail looks and sounds pretty intense. Good luck, Bill!
Love this. I’m on it. Breaking things down into small, consumable bites is always easier. You know “how to eat an elephant” and all that jazz. I think I’m starting with oatmeal. I’m going to eat oatmeal everyday in January.
Love it, Leisha!