“Challenge Yourself a Little More Each Day!”

“Challenge Yourself a Little More Each Day!”

Filed Under: challenges

Jul 15 · by admin

There are messages that are all around us if we pay attention.

Let me explain. Recently our local 24 hour gym went through a remodel. One of the last things they put up on the walls was some thought provoking, inspiring phrases that I will be sharing with you in the coming weeks.

I kept seeing these phases every day when I went there to work out, but wasn’t really paying attention or even trying to take them to heart. My own internal conversation was saying “Ahh this is just hype, sounds trite!” etc.

But then I began to look past the words to take a deeper look at:

My attitude
My resistance
Not looking at it from an encouragement standpoint
Or even, God forbid a challenge to consider something new or different that could be quite simple and personally beneficial.

Until then, I was just plain resistant and thought they were stupid. What was I thinking???

Let’s look at the “Challenge Yourself a Little More Each Day” message that was on an advertising poster in the Vitamin section. It was a picture of a very fit, very handsome guy running with those words very prominently displayed under him.

I had already begun to shift my perspective with the phrases upstairs in the exercise room (which I will share with you later). When I saw this poster it caught my eye. I immediately thought that this was something from which we could all benefit.

By the way, this doesn’t have to do with just exercise or fitness, even though it is a good mindset to incorporate into your routine. But let’s first start with exercise since that is where I began.

Do you exercise?
If you do, are you just mindlessly going to the gym because it’s good for you or you feel you “should” be doing this?
Do you have a purpose for going to the gym?
Are you really clear about why you are there?
What is it that you want to ultimately accomplish?

Now these questions would hold true for any part of your life wouldn’t they?

“Challenge yourself a little more each day.” I thought, I can work with that! It’s doable, right?

How about you? Can you see the benefit of accepting a challenge every day; even if it’s a small one?

Creating a new habit takes 21 days. Why? Because our brains rewire themselves to create new neuro-pathways that contain the new information or habit. To really “get” something, it also takes the determination and fortitude to do it for an extended period of time.

What about business or relationships? Could you use this concept there? What would it take to “challenge” you a little more this week in those areas?

For me, it’s about getting some projects finished that I’ve been putting off. I first learned about this issue in my early coaching courses. There seemed to be a theme in not putting off projects and getting a clearer vision of where I wanted to go and what it would take for me to get there.

So, just start with something small.

Maybe get a system down in your office. I have a hard time being creative if there is clutter and disorganization around me. Clear out a closet that you’ve been putting off organizing. Do you see how this could be a way of “challenging yourself” a little more each day?

“Challenge yourself” and see what happens….

So now, let me ask you. What will you challenge yourself with this week?

I actually like that statement/phrase so much that I plan on printing it and sticking it right in front of my computer so I can see it each time I sit down.

WHAT WILL YOU CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THIS WEEK?

How does this post land for you? Is there anything that jumps out? I’m really looking forward to hearing from you!

Till next time….