Life is pretty boring if we don’t continually challenge ourselves. Why not make your life exciting by rising up to a challenge? We look at some of the online challenges that are available and the benefits of joining one.
I am into the third month of my mini-retirement or unpaid sabbatical. I think it is safe to say that if it were not for online challenges that I would have wasted the first three months of my year off. For me, this unpaid sabbatical is precious “unpaid” time in my Life, and I need to use this time wisely. Challenges force me to never waste a precious day of it.
When I quit work on what I like to call my Independence Day (around 4th of July 2011) I almost immediately started the Ultimate Blog Challenge. This turned out to be a wise decision. It forced me to be accountable and write blog posts daily. It was tough work, but I networked with a lot of wonderful people , and learned about what wordpress plugins to use and how to setup my blog from the other participants.
The other challenge I undertook was the 100 Day Challenge or the Start Fast Finish Strong Challenge, which is run by the “Goals Guy”, Gary Ryan Blair. At the start of this challenge we set five goals, my main goal being to lose weight. I am now 6 weeks into this challenge, and so far I am happy to report I have lost 5kg since the start. Each morning you get sent a small 10 minute pep talk from Gary on some topic related to goal setting such as focus, procrastination, as well as some associated actions related to that topic. This is a great accountability feature. There is also a forum where you can get encouragement from other members of the 100 Day Challenge community.
Benefits Of Challenges
You get to learn off masters.
The organizers of these challenges are successful for a reason and this is a great way to tap into and learn by doing exactly what they do.
You get daily actions to perform.
A lot of us don’t know where to start. With the plethora of choices in our modern world we can get caught in inaction, like a deer staring into the oncoming headlights of a car. Following a step by step daily action plan give us the momentum to move forward each day. It kills procrastination and fosters focus.
You get to network.
You get to network and be part of a community. A great side benefit of these challenges is that you get to meet a lot of really cool and helpful people. It is a great feeling to be part of a community, commenting on other peoples blogs and helping to promote the great content of you fellow challengers via tweets, facebook likes, stumbles and diggs.
You are accountable.
There is always that feeling of guilt that makes you continue on each day regardless of how you feel. Being accountable is a great motivator to keep you committed to the daily actions.
You will become happier.
Research into “flow state” suggests we need the right balance of challenge versus skill; otherwise we would be bored (no challenge for the skills) or overly anxious (no skill for the challenge). When we achieve the right balance of skill and challenge we achieve the zone or (flow state) where we are in a state of high creativity, happiness and productivity. Challenges are perfect since they build our skills and challenge us at the same time. They foster “flow state” and that happy feeling of being in the zone.
My Next Challenge
This is my first post in the Tent Blogger BlogX 90 Day Blogging Boot Camp. This challenge promises to raise the bar on my blogging. Want to join the challenge? Just head over to tent blogger and join the community there.
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About Danny Sheehan
Danny lives in Hong Kong but is originally from Australia. He is Married to Maggie and together they have two children with whom they enjoy sharing and enjoying an exciting life with daily. Danny's passions are freedom, adventure and discovery, mainly in nature and science but also spiritually. He is a great believer in living in the NOW.
More about Danny Sheehan
September 13, 2011 at 2:40 pm
I love being challenged, it always brings the best out of me. Blogging is a challenge and a half. And i can see you aren’t frightened of taking up the challenge.
Larry Lewis recently posted..A Life of Balance
Twitter: excitedbylife
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September 14, 2011 at 12:34 am
I agree Larry. The daily discipline of blogging is tough going, especially if you are not a writer or journalist by trade. Challenges liberate us from procrastination and inaction as there is an in built safety valve of accountability.
September 16, 2011 at 12:18 am
Challenges gives spice to your life. If helps you become stronger and wise.
Twitter: excitedbylife
Says:
September 17, 2011 at 11:05 am
With that much spice boredom is never a problem. Overwhelm can be a problem if you take on too much or procrastinate with non-action.
Twitter: excitedbylife
Says:
September 17, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Yes over 10 pounds. I am really happy with the results. My weight loss has been like a yo yo in the past. I would get into heavy gym work for a month or two and see results only to have major work commitments involving long hours that thwarted maintaining what I had gained. Since this program is a diet change it should be easier to maintain my weight loss. But exercise is extremely important regardless, so I will maintain my morning walks whatever it takes, even if it involves getting up earlier and less sleep.
For tent blogger you have to pay for forum membership, which I like as there are only really serious people involved. We are on day 5 now. The weekend challenge days are slightly different. Day 1 started on Mon Sep 12th so anyone thinking of jumping in to start Day 1 should start on Mon Sep 19th.