“Challenge yourself! Success is not defined by achieving a big goal; it is realized in pursuit of a clear vision and the consistent celebration of little accomplishments!”
Most recently I kicked off a 100Day Challenge through a Facebook Group. The purpose for the Challenge was twofold: to discover how a community of like-oriented people would engage around sharing their vision and commitments and to learn more about what accomplishments are inspiring people.
The response has been very exciting. While there are a smaller percentage who have shared their commitment to the 100Day Challenge, I am convinced there are some private participants who have not yet shared their objectives with the group. And, there is a third group, that haven’t stated their intents or interest whatsoever. I am curious as to where they are.
As people started to explore a 100 Day Challenge and the commitment associated with it, I enjoyed the coaching conversations I participated in. There were about three main themes associated with these conversations:
1. “I don’t know how to set a goal like this“: The first aspect of the 100Day Challenge is to pay close attention to the 100Pedals mantra — define your vision for accomplishment in your life. I have shared my perspectives on goals in the past. Goals are a wonderful benchmark of progress. They can often be the tangible measurement of achievement, like a defined outcome. A goal, however, means nothing without a vision of what achievement of that goal looks like. Simply losing weight, making more money, getting that new job is a defined outcome. It means nothing unless you know how it benefits, impacts, or improves your life and the lives of those around you. Instead of setting a goal, focus on a vision of peace, joy, happiness, or success in your life. It is that vision that gets you thinking about what needs to occur in your life –actions, behaviors, activities– that make this change possible and the effort worthwhile.
2. “I have so many, how do I choose which one?“: Focus on the aspect of your life that is fundamentally most important to you. In many of my conversations, people were dividing between personal and professional; or, health and intellectual. They are all important. Only one transformation project is most important. Moving toward your vision for the one component that is most important will facilitate progress toward realizing accomplishment in the others later. Start with the most important, essential element first — the rest will follow.
3. “What if I don’t really have anything?“: If you do not really have anything to improve, tweak, or change — that is great!! Since you are in a place where you are at peace and happy, celebrate that. There is an opportunity for you to remind yourself and celebrate those aspects of your life are in alignment. As we often lose momentum when we are working through a storm, we can also lose momentum in a place of peace and accomplishment. Celebrating your gratitude for your life is a great and productive activity. Make that your “challenge.”
One of the great discoveries on my 100Pedals journey is that I am never alone. Whether I am celebrating or struggling, there is a huge community of people who are also on their own personal journey. They are looking for what I have to offer and they are offering what I am looking for. The 100Day Challenge was created to create and build a community where this interaction would be visible, accessible, and productive.
Leverage the opportunity to challenge, to grow, to learn, and to share. Your path to accomplished change involves making a commitment — take the 100Day Challenge to help you get there!
