Weekly Challenge

When you are committed to a challenging goal, there WILL be days that “you don’t feel like it…”. That’s what this week’s challenge is all about.

Last week we made sure we were “committed” and not “interested” in the goal that you set. Now we are going to make sure you can stay committed even when you don’t feel like it. The trick to doing this is to take the action anyway. After about 5 minutes of doing the action, your attitude will 95% of the time turn around from not feeling it to I’m doing it. When you let the feelings take over and don’t do the action you will 100% regret it later.

You committed to the goal and just tell yourself I can and I will.

Committed Means:

– Sticking with your plans no matter what

– Taking action whether you feel like doing it

– Know that if you stay motivated, results will follow

– Take responsibility for your actions

– Keep going in spite of challenges and setbacks

CHALLENGE: Make a list of actions you plan to stick with this week regardless of how you feel.

We set goals with the best intentions and then after a few weeks those good intentions become just that….good intentions.

This week I want to challenge you to really think about what you want to achieve and WHY you want to achieve that goal. That “why” is how you go from being interested to being committed.

Interested = Good Intentions

When you are interested in a goal you will tend to stay with that goal until something better comes along. You are interested in losing weight, but someone brought doughnuts into work. You are interested in reading more books, but a new Netflix series just came out. You are interested in getting up and working out, but your bed is just so warm and comfy. Did I make any of you go…ouch!

When you are interested you depend on seeing results right away. As long as you see results you stay motivated. You hit a plateau or results are not fast enough you throw that goal out the window.

When we struggle, we tend to use the blame game. The “if only…” starts to come out. Your challenge is to turn those “if only’s” to a “I will..”

Committed = No Matter What

This week’s challenge is about truly committing to the goal you set. When you truly commit you have an entirely different outlook. Being committed means you don’t let those distractions be just that…distractions away from your goal. You stick with it no matter what.

Having the no matter what attitude means you have a game plan. You think ahead of what will distract you and plan what you will do if that happens. Then you are not thinking about impulse, but more following through with what you already planned to do. It is seriously satisfying when that happens. It shows how strong you can be. And it if is still hard, repeat why you are doing that goal in the first place.

Make the why stronger than the distractions!

How many of us made a New Year’s resolution? This year I am going to…. Now that we are in the 3rd week of January, how many of us have already gave up on that goal? Or even worse we never even made a goal in the first place because you knew it wouldn’t last because it never has before.

This week’s challenge is about changing that mindset.

Your Past Does Not Determine Your Future!

So what that you didn’t follow through last time. Just because you did last time doesn’t mean you will this time. You get to CHOOSE your actions and decisions.

I used to be that way, but now I am different!

Repeat that statement to yourself. You are different than yesterday. You can do the hard things.

Here’s your challenge this week:

If you didn’t set goals for yourself yet – do that now!

– Make a list of any fears or negative behaviors that have hurt you meeting your goals in the past.

– Read each of those items from your list out loud and then repeat “I used to be that way, but now I am different!”

– Then put actions to that statement. I used to (old behavior) but now I (new behavior).

– Save that paper somewhere and anytime you feel like giving up – read those statements you wrote.

Where ever the paths of your life take you, the number one thing to hold onto is a sense of integrity. Integrity means waking up each morning with intention to be your best self, making decisions throughout the day with honesty and following your core values, and ultimately being a positive force in others lives.

Integrity is something that you can control. No one can take it away from you unless you let them. It should be your compass in times of struggle, confusion, and difficulty. In those times is when you need to lean into who you are.

Now on to the weekly challenges! This will be the last one from this series.

Easy Challenge: Appreciate, Thank, and Celebrate others. It means so much to others when you acknowledge their hard work. Even in the small victories celebrate them.

Medium Challenge: Hold yourself accountable. Be the first to admit you are wrong and apologize. Part of leading with integrity includes mistakes and that is supposed to happen. If you aren’t making mistakes you are not getting out of your comfort zone. So when it happens don’t play the blame game and be a victim. Take responsibility, learn from it, and move forward. FAIL FORWARD!

Hard Challenge: Make integrity the default choice. The right way is usually not the easiest way to go. You may go against what the world is telling you is acceptable. Hold tight to your principles and what you believe. Finish this sentence: “I’m someone who…..” with a phrase related to your definition of integrity. When you are faced with a tough situation repeat that phrase to yourself to make sure you are following your values.

With the start of the year you have probably made some type of goal for 2024. Hopefully it is a big lofty butterflies in your stomach goal. If you made that BIG goal you may be thinking where to start. That’s where mentoring comes in. It can be difficult to find who/what you are looking for.

Easy Challenge: Do some research. Find some podcasts, blogs, websites that have topics related to your goal.

Medium Challenge: Look at the people around you. Who already knows how you communicate and contribute? Who trusts you? Who is likely to believe you’ll put their feedback to good use?

Hard Challenge: Come up with game plan on who you want to ask and the questions you anticipate to ask. Good mentors are usually busy so make sure you use their time wisely.

This week’s challenge comes at the end of the year where you may be setting goals for 2024.  While setting these goals we need to keep in mind that there are no shortcuts to getting lasting results.  Taking a shortcut may get you there quicker, but if you haven’t changed your habits you will slide right back to where you are now.  Plus asking people too often with easy questions will make them potentially avoid you.

Easy Challenge:  Identify what goals you want to achieve in 2024.  Apply the SMART method when making your goal.  Be specific on what you want.  Make sure you can measure success to know you are staying on track.  Make sure it is attainable and realistic.  Having a stretch goal is good, but you need to make sure you can create a plan to achieve it.  Set a time for when you want to have it done.

Medium Challenge:  Sometimes we don’t know where to even start.  Before asking others, do your homework by searching online or doing some critical thinking yourself.  Everyone is busy and time is valuable.  Make sure you do your part before taking someone else’s time on something you could do yourself.  Create a plan on how you can achieve the goal and identify the gaps you have.

Hard Challenge:  Now that you have your goals and have done everything you could on your side you are ready to ask for help.  Make a list of questions and outline what information you need.  Use the other persons time wisely so they won’t think twice about helping you again.

The weekly challenges that have been being posted on the Simply Succeed Facebook page will be moving to the website!

We will hit 100 challenges next week and then will be posted on the website after that.

I added the previous 99 challenges below so you don’t miss out plus it’s easier to find 🙂

Merry Christmas Eve! This challenge comes right on time with spending lots of family time in the next couple days. The challenge is about receiving feedback, but also giving feedback. How do you handle when someone gives you feedback? Do you immediately go into defensive mode, stop listening & start thinking of your response, feel pissed off, rationalize your actions, let your ego get in the way? It usually depends on how the feedback was given. Was it coming from a place of love and respect?

Easy: Reflect on your go to reaction when someone gives you feedback.

Medium: Don’t wait for feedback- ask for it. Ask a friend, family member, or co worker for feedback. Make sure you are specific about what you are wanting feedback on. Keep your mind open with active listening to hear them out. Thank them for the feedback and reflect on it – the good, the bad, and the ugly. What will you start doing, stop doing, or continue doing?

Hard: Give honest feedback to someone. Make sure it comes from a place of love and respect. Ask them first before giving unsolicited feedback. Be specific with examples. The worst feedback is general because they can’t do much with it. Never ever ever say, “You always…” No one always does something. If you truly want to help, be specific.

This challenge is for work and life. Asking for what you want is hard as it usually entails some difficult uncomfortable conversation. I’m going right into the challenges this week so it will be easier to understand.

Easy: Stop saying “What can I help you with? or How can I help?” In life, you see others struggling and want to help. If you know they are struggling with money, get them a gift card or bring them a meal. If they are lonely, plan a get together them. Getting to know the person will help you know how to ask for more. If you want more responsibility at work, know the things going on around. Be specific on something you want to help with and how you can support.

Medium: Identify what you want more out of life. Use these categories: Faith, Family, Friends, Finances, Personal Growth, Health, Career. Think of where you are now and where you want to be in 12 months. Break it down into quarter (3 month) goals or even into monthly goals to achieve it.

Hard: Follow through with your plan you just made. Don’t let it be just good intentions. Create a way to track your progress. Tell a friend your plan and have them hold you accountable. It’s one thing to put on paper. When you tell someone it makes it real.

This week’s challenge is about your attitude. Here’s the best part – you GET to CHOOSE your attitude. You get to choose how you show up everyday. Will you let others around you run your life and emotions OR will you take charge of your life. You only get one chance at this life. How do you want to live it?

Great quote by Francesca Reigler, “Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.”

Now you maybe thinking..well Stacy you have no idea all the craziness in my life. How can I be happy when I have all this going on? The answer is simple and it may be hard to hear especially if you have to change some parts of your life. The answer: Live your life like Jesus. Be humble, kind, and light up the world with joy and love.

Easy Challenge: Think of 3 people you admire and why? Describe their demeanor and what about them you admire.

Medium Challenge: Identify situations in your life that are challenging your attitude. How can you choose to react? Remember you don’t get to choose the situation, but you do get to choose how you react to it.

Hard Challenge: When faced with a hard situation speak up. Don’t be a jerk, but also don’t be a doormat. It feels easier to stay silent, but in reality it tears us up inside.