Your Turn Challenge: Day 7 - Challenged

Your Turn Challenge: Day 7

Posting today means I met the challenge. I've posted 7 blog posts in 7 days. 

That means I posted more than 2014 (1 post) and 2013 (5 posts) combined. And more than all of 2012 (6 posts).

In one week. That's pretty sweet.

...No, not like sugary, I'm using "sweet" in a more figurative sense. Like, it's really cool...No, not meaning a low temperature, I mean...nevermind.

Today's question is: What are you taking with you from this Challenge? 

Basically, I'm taking away that I needed this challenge. I know I wouldn't have done this without it. 

Even though I had everything I needed to write all along ("Just Do It", as Nike and frustrated onlookers, say), I look back and don't see a way I would have achieved it otherwise. 

If I was going to before, I would have. But I didn't.

I had mental barriers, or invisible scripts, that were prohibiting me from taking action.

When I saw this challenge, I jumped on it. And I had no doubt I would achieve it. 

So what made the difference? 

The difference was that there were others doing it, too. 

The difference was that I was challenged by someone whom I didn't know personally, but who shared her story of frustration and failure. A story that was familiar. 

There was a community of other people all over the world who needed this too, and we did it together. 

I just needed a boost. A push. A challenge by someone who understood me and wouldn't judge me if I failed. 

So my takeaway - today's stupid wisdom, if you will - is that we need things like this in our lives all the time. We need people we trust, people we connect with, to challenge us. To keep us accountable. And we need to challenge others. 

We can even ask others for a challenge. Or to take part it one together. It could be awkward, sure. But asking is probably not as bad as you think. 

"Hey, could you do me a favor and give me a challenge? I'm stuck on writing for my blog." 

In a workout forum: "I haven't exercised in 3 weeks. Someone propose a challenge for me!"

"Hey, man, I noticed you stopped practicing the guitar. I challenge you to pick up your guitar for 5 minutes each day for the next 3 days. You gotta text me when you do! I'll check up on you if I don't hear from you." 

You'll meet with mixed success depending on where and when you ask. But if you're persistent, you'll find what you're looking for. 

Is there something you're stuck on? Some skill or talent or goal you haven't achieved? Let me know and I'll offer you a challenge! That's my promise to you. 

Remember, you don't have to wait until some company or famous person tweets a challenge. We can do this for each other all the time. I believe we'll all be better for it.

#yourturnchallenge #yourturn #day7

---

My first challenge is to myself! To continue this blog. 

I commit to at least 1 blog post per week through the month of February 2015. 

The week ends on Thursdays after 11:59 p.m. (so, Friday midnight is past the deadline).

So my next blog post will appear on or before Thursday Jan. 29, 2015. 

If you've read any of my posts this week, thank you for taking the time. I hope you got something out of it. I'd love to hear any comments or feedback if you have any. 

And if you're liking what you're reading, stay tuned for more!