Challenge Yo’self! How challenges are changing my life

Until just a little while ago, I called myself a non-completer.

My life blazed a trail of unfinished projects and plans, and unused products.... 

• I bought one of those infomercial home gym sets ... and wound up selling it. 
• I joined a gym. Cancelled after two months. (Did this three times that I can think of.)
• I went into the jewelry-making business. Sold all my stuff months later.
• Soapmaking business. Supplies bought. Then sold.
• Bookmaking business. Supplies bought. Then stuck away in a drawer. (I really want to do this one someday, even if just as a hobby!)
• Blog posts ... holy moley! I can't tell you how many unfinished blog posts, ebooks, and other pieces of content live on my computer. 
• Weight lost. And then gained back again. And then lost. And then....
• Programs purchased with absolutely the best of intentions, and then ... you guessed it, left for "some other day."

Combined, years and years of these failed ventures felt like a weight across my chest. 

A heaviness.

A sadness.

I was not a Completer.

But then something changed.

I'd like to tell you about it in case you're the kind of person like me who will thrive with Challenges.

The first step is simply to find a challenge. I suggest doing something fun, something you want to do.

The first challenge I signed up for online was Niamh Arthur's Light it Up! Video Challenge.

The work involved? 

• Record a video a day for 30 days.
• Upload the videos to YouTube.
• Share with your group.

I honestly didn't think I'd be able to do it.

After all ... hello! Non-completer!

But oh my gosh ... I totally did it!

I recorded one video each day for 30 days! 

I completed the challenge!

I'm a Completer!

Actually, I still didn't full own the power of my completing that program. I still felt like a phony, ready to turn into a non-completer again as soon as the clock struck midnight.

Soon after completing Niamh's challenge, I had the idea to create a series of 30 inspirational graphics with quotes on them, each related to the word CHOOSE. I wanted to give that gift to others, so that became my free email CHOOSE program.  (It's always open, so please feel free to check it out!)

That wasn't necessarily a challenge for me ... it was a challenge for others, and not even really a challenge. Just a "30 days" thing.

And then, a photographer I knew on Facebook decided to do a photography challenge--for 365 days.

After watching his challenge, and seeing him succeed, I had this strange idea to write a haiku a day for 365 days. 

WHAT?!?

Me? The non-completer?

For 365 days?!? A YEAR?!?

Well, the idea wasn't all that strange. I'd somehow been bitten by the bug to create series of things, like a series of infographics to help readers, and another series of similar infographics for another target audience. 

(Those two products are still in development. They're incomplete, but on purpose.)

Plus, I really enjoy writing poetry, especially haiku. 

There's a sweet din and lull to the pattern, turning all of my thoughts into haiku.

(I know that poem isn't traditional haiku; no need to edumacate me, thanks.)

So ... at this writing, I'm at ... Day 314 on my year-long haiku challenge!

I feel so good ... I know I'm a completer now, yo.

And now it seems, I can't stop challenging myself!

• 30 days without wine ... check! (I didn't lose even one pound - wtf?!?)
• 30 days on the treadmill ... check!
• And now, 30 days of blogging ... check!

Coincidentally, this post on challenges happens to be the last post in my 30 Day Blogging Challenge, a program that will soon become a paid program to help small business owners jumpstart their blogs while gaining confidence as a writer.

Honestly, I don't know what I'll do with myself after completing a blog post a day for 30 days.

I'm ENJOYING this.

I don't want it to end.

Maybe next up I'll do the 365 Day Blogging Challenge?!? 

Stay tuned ... you never know!

In the meantime, I encourage you -- Challenge Yo'self!

And let me know what you're doing in the comments, or how your latest challenge is going. 

I might even want to join you!

P.S. This is post #30 in my 30 Day Blogging Challenge! 

P.P.S. Curious? Join my tribe to learn more!