Congrats to all my fellow slicers–we made it to day 31!
Now if you thought you’d come here and get thanks from me, you’re wrong. I already thanked you on Day 1, remember? In all seriousness, I have been filled with gratitude each and every day of this challenge by the generosity and kindness of this community. 🙏🏼 But that’s not what this post is about.
This is my my second year slicing and just like last year, I’m both excited and shocked that I completed the challenge. How did I/we commit to sitting down and writing each day for 31 days? This got me thinking about what makes some challenges attainable and some not.
Challenges accepted and completed:
• Eating vegan for one month +
• Training and running a marathon with Students Run L.A.
• Slice of Life Story Challenge #21 and #22
Why is it I can do these long, difficult (at least to me) challenges, but I can’t complete one week of drinking enough water? My first thought is that all of the big challenges were done alongside at least one other person. I actually still enjoy eating vegan, but as soon as my husband fell off the bandwagon, I stopped being as strict. Drinking water is a solo event. Is it the competition or community of doing these with others? Maybe both? I also wonder if sometimes when the challenge isn’t big enough, it doesn’t feel worth giving it your all.
Do you experience the same thing? What’s your theory?
I agree. A bigger challenge makes us draw on more inner strength. Congratulations on meeting your challenges. I have enjoyed reading your posts, and I am pleased to interact with you as a writer. I look forward to more.
See you on Tuesday!
What you write reminds me of a concept I first heard from Jim Collins, author of _Good to Great_. He identified what he dubbed Big Hairy Audacious Goals (abbreviated BHAGs) and talked about how the high-achieving people he studied framed objectives in a certain way to fuel their motivation. The goals had to be substantial, not modest; a little scary, not free of risk; and more awe-inspiring than humdrum. That seems to align with your view of dreaming big about the endeavors you choose to undertake. I also agree that the communal aspect of the Story Challenge makes a difference, through its collective magnifying of accountability that helps us all stick with writing through today. Thanks for being part of the party!
I’m going to have to find this book. Thanks for your insight!
Solo challenges are tough. You are your biggest cheerleader, but also your own worst enemy. Congratulations on another Challenge success! I’m glad to have found your blog as you write about so many things that are meaningful to all of us!
Thanks for sharing today and I look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays! 🙂
🙏🏼 See you on Tuesdays!
Congrats on completing two years of slicing. Challenges are easier snd more fun if you are not doing them alone. This whole community is one big cheering section. I have enjoyed reading your posts.
Same to you!
I love your questions about why we complete some challenges and not others. I wish I knew the answers! I can’t really find a pattern in what I complete and what I don’t! I do know that for the slicing challenge, community is a big part of it for me.
Vivian, I have enjoyed meeting you at Two Writing teachers these past two years. I love to take on a challenge with others. It gives me more incentive to get up and go. Solo events are sometimes meaningful but being a social type of person, I prefer the company of others. I hope to chat with you during the Tuesday Slice of Life days. Congratulations on finishing two years of writing during March.
Have enjoyed reading your slices and ‘meeting up’ on zoom a couple of weeks ago. I think you’re right , the bigger he challenge, the more effort you put into it. I never drink enough water either!
Even after all of these years of RUNNING the SOLSC, there are times I don’t know if I’ll finish.
My husband looked at me yesterday and said, “Wow, March went fast.” I cackled. Not really. And your slice serves as proof that it is hard to make it through. But we all did it.
Hope to see you on Tuesdays too!