There are great benefits when you challenge yourself and push the envelope with what’ s possible.
It was about two years ago when a friend challenged me to write 365 daily leadership blogs. I have no doubt his intentions were well meaning and pure. Today, I have accomplished that goal (even more if you count the “song of the weekend” and other themed blogs). When I first started it felt like a daunting task. I couldn’t imagine I would have enough to write about or have the time to get it done in my busy schedule. It also would require more consistent discipline than I am used to. My tendency is to be more of a free spirit, and I don’t like to get boxed in by self-imposed obligations. However, I have surprised myself and found that I like the daily routine of writing this blog. In many ways it has been therapeutic and good for my soul.
You will never know what you are capable of unless you push yourself. It won’t always be easy. Sometimes you will get stuck and doubt your own abilities – plow forward anyway. To paraphrase a famous quote, “…a big part of success is just showing up.” It’s amazing what can happen if you just put forth the effort. Many people talk a big game but never follow it up with action. Don’t let this be you!
I have no idea how much longer I will do this but will keep at it as long as it feels right and believe I have something to say. Whatever happens from here, the time spent writing these blogs has been worth it. I hope in some small way others have benefitted from what I have written. I’m also glad that my children will now have a record of their dad’s thoughts on many things during this transitional period of his life. The challenge has reaped many unforeseen rewards.
We are all authoring our own stories every day. Is the story unfolding the way you would like? Challenge yourself to live your life proactively. Far too many people wake up one day and wonder what happened and regret the gap between the person they once wanted to be and the person they have become. The key is to remember that it is never too late to take control of your own destiny (despite what happens). Be the hero of your own life and encourage others to do the same!
Related articles
- The Importance of Personal Discipline (capacity-building.com)
- Smarter. Faster, Better book excerpts (capacity-building.com)
- Making Writing a Habit (eclecticatticblog.com)
- 100 Posts And What Have I Learned? (writingthegirl.wordpress.com)
- Note 336 – The 7 advantages and 7 disadvantages of daily blogging (mywritingnotebook.com)
- Proactively Being Happy (aquaterra.tv)
- “Happiness Without a Good Work Ethic Is Pretty Impossible.” (happiness-project.com)