My recent spike of interest in all things motivational and inspirational led me to the world of 100 day challenges.
First, a few truths:
- Change can be hard to do
- Making lasting change is even harder
- It takes about 30 days to make or change a habit
- Staying motivated is difficult
- Making lists is motivational (at least to me)
- Small changes over time add up to big(ger) results
- I need and want to change a few things
- 100 seems like a very accomplished number
Never one to miss embarking on a self-improvement project, I designed my own 100 day challenge.
I am focusing on small wellness behaviors. I made a list of 8 daily goals, all of which are do-able. Little things add up!
Here’s my list:
- Weigh myself every day
- Drink at least 8 8-oz glasses of water
- Do 25 sit-ups (I know this is a small amount! This is the minimum I’m going to set for myself, with the goal of doing more every day).
- Do 10 push-ups (see above).
- Record the food I eat
- Exercise
- Avoid alcohol (while this may make me seem like a huge lush, I tried to pick something that was the epitome of empty calories. It was either wine or M&Ms, and I had to go with wine. Eliminating both would have been too cruel and probably impossible).
- Reach out and connect with a friend every day
For accountability, I did three things:
- Publicly declared my attention here and to my family and friends
- Printed out calendars with the daily 8 and the challenge day printed on them. I made two sets so I can have one at home and one at work.
- Posted the calendars in visible places
Here’s my September:
You can download and edit your own calendar here.
Looking for your own ideas for 100 days of self-improvement? Find ideas here and here.
fancyladydoctor 
I love this. Good luck! I need to do this.
Join me! Your list can be anything. I was even thinking about making a 100 Day Happiness Project where I had things on my list like “get a pedicure” or “eat a donut.” Things that would make me happy. I focused on wellness this time around, but it could be adapted to anything.
Hello! So, I’ve been thinking about what mine will be, and here’s what I’ve got.
1. Drink 8 glasses of water per day
2. Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day
3. 20 minutes of intentional exercise per day (I thought of starting with 10, I’m at zero right now)
4. Find one thing in the house to get rid of and toss it or donate it
5. Do an act of kindness for someone in my family
This last one is a little vague. But lately I’ve had my cranky pants on more often than not around the house. I need to be kinder to my husband and daughter. Probably to my parents and in-laws, too, but I’m going to start close to home!
This is an awesome list! I love this plan. You should also put in the contingency that #5 could also be an act of kindness to yourself. Like a pedicure.
This post speaks to me! I love your ideas and thrive on lists that give me focus!
Thanks, Amy! Me, too! Feeling very motivated and excited about this project.