Self-Improvement Challenge: Update
A number of people I can only really describe as ‘lots’ posted comments, or found other ways to set themselves challenges, after yesterday’s introductory blog. I was surprised by the volume of responses and moved/impressed/alarmed by a lot of the things people are proposing to take on over the next ten years. These included becoming a professional darts player and a librarian (two different people, those, not a unique attempt at multi-tasking); recording and releasing an album every year for the next ten; several pledges to finish writing a novel; several promises to find love or just become more confident and comfortable with other humans. Other people are going to get fit, travel to South America, learn jazz saxophone, learn more languages. There are practical challenges like getting into a West End play, and philosophical ones like repairing self-esteem. And these are just the ones that come to mind without checking back.
So, my first act of optimism, which was to set this idea in motion and not focus on the risk of looking like a tool if nobody joined in, has been vindicated. There are a few more days for others to nominate their own challenges, which start in earnest on March 4th. Remember you don’t have to do so under your own name – several people contacted me on Twitter to suggest anonymous missions.
Tomorrow I will elaborate on my own resolution and deal with some of the admin side of this ambitious project, like how we’re all going to stay in touch with each other. I’ll also do other stuff like picking up my crying baby and walking around the house humming ‘Teddy Bears’ Picnic’ for four hours till he nods off, but that is beyond the remit of this blog for now.
Thanks for participating!
Posted by Heather Jones on March 1, 2010
Have been pondering for a long time whether to join in or not. Feel a bit on the old side, for a start (am currently 47), and my first reaction to the challenge was a bit bleak – along the lines ‘just hope I’m still around/ still want to be around’: gave me pause for thought though!
I have HOPES for 10 years from now, but they’re not really within my control – so not suitable for this challenge – eg would love it if my sons (currently 17 & 19) were happily settled with loving partners by 2020 (a grandchild in or around 2020 would also be lovely but don’t want to get carried away!)
My favourite line from John Lennon’s song ‘Beautiful Boy’ (written for his then baby son Sean) has a sad tinge given his untimely death, but it is ‘Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans’
(not sure if this line originated with JL or if he got it from an earlier source)
This line reminds me not to get too hung up on my own agenda. Instead I’m keen to stay flexible, to remain open to opportunities as they arise – to be willing to try new things, take risks etc.For example, I changed my career last January (hadn’t expected that to happen!) – love what I do now.
So, although I don’t want to have a list of things to try to tick off by 2020, I do want to be a bit more proactive AND to take a positive approach to whatever crops up unexpectedly.
Like another earlier poster, I am growing aware of the limited time left to enjoy time with my lovely parents (currently approaching 80) – so I’ll definitely add that to my own personal challenge.
And one other tiny little concrete challenge – to start gong to live entertainment again: theatre, stand-up comedy etc. (to quantify this with an achievable target, let’s make it ‘once a month’) That one will be easier to monitor.
Posted by Emma Jones on March 1, 2010
I fear that probably all of my goals have already been set by other people for themselves. However, does this make them less valid as my personal goals? No. So here they are.
By March 3rd 2020, when I will be 38 years, 4 months, 1 week and 3 days old, the following will be the case:
1) I will not only have written and published at least one novel, but will be someone who can truthfully and unpretentiously describe themselves as “a writer”. This will have come about by taking risks, and giving up on a life with a secure and stable income in order to do what I really want to do – and that I actually think I’m good at. Painfully, this may mean giving up the flat which I have bought with this income, but sacrifices must be made.
2) I will have travelled around Latin America and understand the continent extensively.
3) I will be fluent in Spanish and be bringing up a young child bilingual.
4) I will have run several of the world’s major marathons and at least one triathlon.
5) I will have done a Masters degree and at least begun a PhD.
6) I will know how to properly play either the guitar, piano, saxophone or harp.
7) I will have taken part in numerous amateur concert or amdram performances which allow me to sing sing sing.
God, I like the sound of that person.
Progress has begun on numbers 1-4. Will me good to have to keep giving updates. And of course, there is also the politics on the side of all of that – where I want to take that, if anywhere, remains undecided, as always.
Thanks Mark.
Posted by Emily Richards on February 28, 2010
To finish my OU degree and be working as a seconary school maths teacher, travelling to work in my own car, (so will need to learn to drive, pass test and save enough to but car too). A career by 40 would be nice
Posted by Kate on February 28, 2010
I am so exited, this sounds like a very cool project! You’re optimism is wearing off on me
Posted by Bloomability (Beth) on February 28, 2010
I think I’m going to try three small challenges:
Firstly, read at least one non-school-related (fiction) book per week. Secondly,write in my blog at least once per week, and thirdly, listen to one album every week I’ve never heard before. I’m usually crap at stuff like this, but hopefully it’ll work this time ^_^
Posted by Rachael on February 28, 2010
Will there be a penalty if we fail? Or is it just that we have to live with the shame?
Posted by Laura on February 28, 2010
I’m going to go for two, I think.
By March 4th 2010, I want to have visited every continent at least once. That’s my big, money-spending, slow-burner.
On a smaller level, I’m going to try to pay a meaningful compliment to somebody every single day. I think it’d be nice to spread a little love and happiness!
Laura x
Posted by Hannah on February 28, 2010
Teddy Bears picnic sounds like a fun and suitably daft excuse to meet up, I’m in!
Posted by CarlitoBurrito on February 28, 2010
Hooray Laura! Another person up for a Teddy Bears’ picnic. Don’t be afraid of strangers (well, do, but not all of them). Besides, you’ll have your Teddy companion by your side.
Posted by Laura on February 28, 2010
My own ambition now seems somewhat paltry in comparison to some of the uber/challenging/exciting resolutions others are making. I am now considering revising mine!
I quite like CarlitoBurrito’s suggestion of our own Teddy Bear’s Picnic (if I can work up the confidence to be around so many strangers).
Posted by Bill on February 28, 2010
I said six albums…
Screw it, okay, ten it is. Rock and roll. I may compromise on the 60-minutes-per-album rule though.
Posted by Emmy on February 28, 2010
I’m getting really excited about this whole thing now…
Posted by CarlitoBurrito on February 27, 2010
Can I make the suggestion that perhaps those involved have our very own annual Teddy Bear picnic to swap stories and share our progress? (And of course, parade our most favourite of Teddy Bears) x
Posted by anna lowman on February 27, 2010
Teddy Bears’ Picnic may be good but it’s no…
‘Round and round the garden
Like a teddy bear
One step, two step,
Tickle you under there!’
Posted by Tom Beasley on February 27, 2010
Teddy Bears’ Picnic is awesome! You should be pleased that you have the opportunity to sing it regularly without being considered weird.
Posted by Tanya SA on February 27, 2010
I’ve read many of the comments left on Mark’s blog yesterday, and I ended up feeling rather inadequate, and boring. In ten years time I will be looking forward to planning my 50th birthday. I used to think that was ancient but now I know better. I an therefore currently thinking about planning my 40th birthday which is next year, and I have a few options. The ones I don’t do to celebrate entering my 4th decade can be set as things to achieve by the time the ten years are up. So here are my ambitions in no specific order:
Climb Mt. Kiliminjaro – my mother was born in a village called Moshi which she always described as being halfway up Kiliminjaro.
Swim with wild dolphins of the coast of the Bahamas – something I have wanted to do since I was 15 after a BBC documentary.
Visit Vietnam – just because…
Ensure that I keep off the 5 stone of weight I lost – I don’t want to have to do it again.
Still be enjoying life with my wonderful husband.
Be rid self doubt and self loathing.
Not the longest or hardest to achieve list, except for the last one!
I hope we are all where we want to be in 2020. Xx
Posted by sharanBEANS on February 27, 2010
This all makes me marvelously happy, along with your optimism and your little bubba. Félicitations!