#Challenge January 1

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As the end of 2019 came to a close I began to contemplate what would be the focus of my blog post for 2020. I have to admit that listening to a Ted Radio Hour podcast featuring Matt Cutts sealed the deal for me.

On the way back from a NFL game in December I shared my 2020 idea with two of my sons and son-in-law. They were the canary in the coal mine test for me. They didn’t laugh at my idea, they actually liked it. They encouraged me to go for it and started brainstorming on suggestions. Even last night at a New Year’s Eve gathering, my friends seemed excited about the concept. I will offer up full disclosure on buy-in later.

I owe my 2020 blog focus to Matt Cutts. What he did in the past I am going to take on in 2020.

Every 30 days, Matt Cutts gives himself a new CHALLENGE: decluttering a room, exercise, writing a novel, meditation, giving up sugar, even chewing more slowly. In 2020 I am going to take on a series of 30 day CHALLENGES that won’t necessarily be his.

Last night gathered with friends, the Dry January Challenge created quite the buzz . Yet despite all the chatter there was a lot of resistance to more than one person committing for 31 days.

The success of the CHALLENGE just might be starting out small. For me the Dry Challenge may show up in later months but it is not happening in January.

In the past when I decided to take on a CHALLENGE sequential steps always paved the way. I saw something, that made me feel something, that made me change something. I will offer up an example:

1. RUNNING A MARATHON-In January 2001 I was attending the NCAA Convention in Orlando. It was the same day as the running of the Walt Disney Marathon. My wife and I were eating lunch alfresco right on the race course. We were at the 21 mile mark. The race had started about 4.5 hours just after I placed my order of a beer and French dip sandwich. Waiting on my meal I witnessed some of the slower participants.

I looked out on the course and I saw an elderly gentleman with a bright red shirt on that proudly stated on the front, I am 80 years old. He was shuffling along just a little faster than a walk. As he got past us I could read what was on the back of his red shirt. Those words CHALLENGED me. It said “What’s Your Excuse”. I decided right then and there I would run a Marathon and in December 2001 I completed the Raleigh Marathon. Seeing that 80 year old man red t-shirt made me feel something.

Once I completed 30 days of training for the marathon running became a daily habit.

Matt Cutts and I both believe 30 days is enough time to develop a habit. I also believe habits are the foundation of discipline. To create something new and improve your life you have to change. In 2020 I am going to try new things and possibly eliminate some existing habits.

If the 30 Day CHALLENGE doesn’t create a permanent habit it will at least make my life more interesting. Not all of Matt’s CHALLENGES were big or daunting and neither will mine.

Here is video of Matt Cutts TED Talk.

I don’t plan on writing about my 30 Day CHALLENGES every day but will attempt to begin the month with what I am going to do.

I do plan to profile people who have planned, committed, and completed 30 day challenges. If you were at the New Year’s Eve Party last night and take on the Dry Challenge I will give you some blogging love.

On a weekly basis I will provide an update of how my challenge is going and recap what I learned or gained at end of the month.

Tomorrow I will let you know what I am working on.

Remember to change you have to see something, that makes you feel something, that gets you to change something.

Matt Cutts made me feel the power of a CHALLENGE