Today is Day the Third!

March 29, 2009 in Uncategorized
3 It only takes 72 hours for doubt to set in, usually. "I've picked the wrong challenge." "I don't think I can do this for 37 days." "This is too hard." "I don't have time." "But I'm traveling!" "The planets are in retrograde!" "I have a headache!"

As Caren wrote: "I'm not feeling so excited. I think I've done this – telling myself, 'OK, just a few minutes every day… just this one thing every day' – so many times,and I never stick with it, that I'm doubting myself already! But – accountability. I did do art every day for 30 days last year! I think blogging about it will make a difference – I have an audience! And the definite end time is good, too. I don't have to do this forever, I don't have to think of it as some big thing I'm changing. I'm just taking one action every day for 37 days. Not forever. Which I guess is kinda the point, huh?"

It's okay. Doubt is good. It keeps us from getting our head all puffed up at how perfect we are.

Keep going. If you miss a day, stop with the perfectionism and jump back in.

As the contract said, "this contract is solely with myself and carries no rewards, penalties or punishments other than those associated with the reflection of the strength of my character." Does it mean you're a bad person if you break the contract? No, it means you've learned something about yourself. What have you learned?

There is no fail. There is only learning.

And, by the way, it IS the right challenge because it's the one you chose. Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.

Some intrepid souls are blogging their 37 days journey: Carolynn, Jean, Caren, Evie E., Cynthia and Ellouise. Read along with them, leave them a comment, encourage them.

And if you're blogging your 37 day challenge, leave a comment below and I'll post on 37days.

Happy Day Number Three, doubts and all!

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

10 comments to " Today is Day the Third! "

  • Reply
    Gilli
    March 29, 2009 AT 9:53AM

    This will be my Day One as this is the first I’ve seen it. I’m printing out the “contract” to myself and am filling the first blank with I will spend 15 min. every day for the next 37 days playing in my studio. I always have 100 reasons why I “can’t” go in there. Not for the next 37 days. Starting NOW before I “have” to clean the house. Thank you.

  • Reply
    Nancy Scott
    March 29, 2009 AT 10:04AM

    Today is Day 3 for me . . . not quite “leaping” out of bed each morning, but with a genuine smile on my face . . . greeting my husband with a wide grin and a heartfelt “I love you” . . . smiling at strangers in the supermarket . . . even smiling when I’m on the phone trying to switch our service. I don’t like being fake so I try to think of something good about life as I smile. I feel better, happier and more optimistic already.

    With a hug and a smile :),
    Nancy Scott

  • Reply
    Vasilly
    March 29, 2009 AT 12:27PM

    Patti, thanks for hosting this! I’ve signed up:

    http://classicvasilly.wordpress.com/

  • Reply
    Carolynn
    March 29, 2009 AT 2:08PM

    Today I slept in. It’s really the only day in my week when I can enjoy that luxury. It’s also the day when I’ll usually fall off the exercise wagon, never to get back up again.

    Not today. No sirree. I went for a walk along the water near my home and took my camera with me. I was joined on my walk by an assortment of feathered and furry critters and came back feeling as though God Himself had personally greeted me with gifts all along the way as if to say, “See what great stuff happens, if you come out and play with Me?”

    I posted about it on my site, if you want details. Later today, I’ll be spending another 4 1/2 hours working at a stable. Hope I don’t keel over!

  • Reply
    janet
    March 29, 2009 AT 3:31PM

    Blogging – everyday for 37 days. Write, write, write.

  • Reply
    margretha
    March 29, 2009 AT 5:16PM

    It’s 11 p.m. here in Denmark and I just wrote my third gratitude list tonight. Cynthia’s post on the practice of Examen was just what I needed
    I blog in Faroese, so I’ll post my 37 days here, if you don’t mind. And thank you for the nudge in this direction.

  • Reply
    Deirdre Reid
    March 29, 2009 AT 6:34PM

    My 37 day challenge is to meditate ten minutes a day. I blogged today about the challenge and a bit about meditation. So far so good on the challenge, it seems a bit easy compared to others, but like you said, it’s the promise to myself that counts. And I’m sure there will be a day when I find it hard to be still, really still, even for ten minutes. I am also trying to floss every day too, but didn’t want to mention that!

  • Reply
    Ruth
    March 29, 2009 AT 8:19PM

    I almost talked myself out of my walk today, trading it for the hockey that knew I would play tonight, but I didn’t! I walked this morning and just finished playing my last game of the season. Now, to get into better shape for next season, one walk at a time!

    I am a newbie blogger and will do my best to keep up with it.
    http://ruthpicsheartlight.blogspot.com/

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