Long, long, long
And today, an even bigger example of something which already exists, and I’ve kind of copied without meaning to. My friend, the excellent comedian Josie Long recently did a project where she asked people to do one good thing, once a day, for a hundred days:
Despite being her friend (two examples: we hung out in Adelaide, went to a light show and played Boggle; my wife and I went for Mexican dinner at her house and everyone had to invent a game), I had either not heard about this undertaking of Josie’s, which ended this week, or forgotten about it. In any case, I feel slightly silly for trumpeting my own Self-Improvement project as though I’d split the atom when, in fact, I’m more or less retreading the ground she went onto first, plus I don’t even know how you split an atom. Of course, it’s not a competition – and there are lots of differences, notably the fact that, being more pretentious, I’ve set a 10-year course for the TYSIC rather than 100 days. And I’ve spoken to Josie over Twitter, which these days is the same as actually speaking to someone, and she was fine about it, being the sort of person who genuinely wants to see the world made into a better place, rather than wanting to claim a lot of credit for doing something clever. In fact we’ve collaborated on clearing up the planet’s problems before, during the 24-hour shows. So it’s all fine.
But the least I can do is to draw your attention to her website in this manner. The collection of resolutions and good deeds and personal achievements should be an inspiration to us all. I will speak to the charismatic Long and see if there is some way we can honour and continue her work in our own Challenge. Just as soon as she comes out of The Bubble, where I believe she is about to disappear to.
Have a restful but still personally challenging Sunday. Tomorrow, the contest to win an MP3 player reaches its emotion-charged endgame.
Posted by allison on March 15, 2010
Er, thats about the mp3 player. Scratch my comment, as it has nothing to do with this post!
Posted by allison on March 15, 2010
I say give it to the mum…and on second choice, to the radio one listener. I can feel both their pain!
Posted by Corey on March 15, 2010
Small admin matter to start, I did read yesterday but was unable to comment due to unforseen keyboard difficulties. But back today with my shameless plug for my non serious sports blog, inspired by Back Of The Net, and given valuable advice from you brother in order to start it. My name should be underlined by now, so reading it my friends is a small click away….if you want to!?!.
Corey
Posted by Natalie-Helen on March 14, 2010
Hello! Happy First Mother’s Day! I do hope you helped your son pick out a card!
Well today has been a veritable feast of TYSICness.
I joined the landshare website last week and today my friend an I travelled to an allotment to help someone dig over and make a raised bed. Okay so it is not quite growing my own stuff yet, but before you can plant seeds the ground has to be perfect so doing well all in all!
Also have spent the last two or three hours doing laundry AND listening to a French language course I have on my iPod. Avezvous une congratulation pour moi sil-vous plait?
So a very good day really!
And just recalled that I will be travelling from Liverpool to London on the 31st March and London-Liverpool on 19th April if the Winners iPod traveling time happens to coincide I’d be happy to help!
^_^
Posted by Catherine on March 14, 2010
Haven’t written here for a few days. The young lady with cancer has bothered me to the point that I believe anything I have to say or do is so insignificant. I wish her well. She is very courageous and deserves all of our praise and encouragement.
Spring break is over today. Start back to class tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it. I have stayed holed up in my apartment and in bed for most of a week. House cleaning and taxes weren’t even on my mind. Did, however, almost finish my mountain of laundry. Spoke many times to my children. Spoke with my granddaughter (she’s only 11 months, so it was mostly her making shrieky noises). My oldest turned 24 on Friday. I finished my Spanish homework today but have done a little everyday instead of waiting to do it all late the night before. My best friend just e-mailed me from Florida. She may be coming to visit me in April. Wow, I miss her.
Of course, I’ve read Mark everyday. I’ve read some of the blogs. Looked for other British comics on YouTube. I find that laughing makes me feel better. Good lord it’s 6:50 p.m. already. I dislike DST. Takes me a month to get over the change. Ah well, it does mean spring is here!
Cathy
Posted by Zoe on March 14, 2010
This comment has nothing to do with your’s or Ms Long’s challenges. I just wanted to wish your missus a very Happy Mothers Day. xx
Posted by Ben on March 14, 2010
my TYSIC blog is on my name ^
http://learningtoreadten.blogspot.com/
and also there^. why not.
Posted by Rachael on March 14, 2010
I think they are both excellant ideas, from great people.
Posted by Hannah on March 14, 2010
It doesn’t matter that the idea is within a similar vein, so long as it’s having a good effect on those involved. I think it must be from the blogs/tweets/forum posts I’ve seen
Posted by Lisa Brunders on March 14, 2010
I don’t think you should worry about it at all, this is a fantastic thing you’re doing – encouraging people to improve their lives. A similar thing maybe, but definately different. I think the Tysic gang will get bigger and bigger as time goes by, and I’m proud to have been involved from the start. Judging by the number of people who find it difficult to post replies, there may be more followers than you realise. How many are there anyway? Do you know?
On Tysic front – I went for another walk this morning, that’s two days running, and this morning was the first time I didn’t have discomfort at any point, so it’s all good. And I picked up a paper whilst out, ages since I had a sunday paper. I’m making so many little changes, and I’m much happier for it. I haven’t done anything remarkable by anyone else’s standards, but I cooked for a friend yesterday and was pleasantly surprised how easy and stress free I found it. I’m pushing my comfort zone more and more these days. I had very much got stuck in a rut.
Sorry I was supposed to be writting less to save you reading time!
Posted by ElizabethD on March 14, 2010
I would argue that there are several big differences between the TYSIC and the Glorious Ms Long’s project. (Love her! by the way.) The time difference is the most obvious but there are others. Anyway, self improvement itself is as old as the hills, doesn’t mean there isn’t room for new appraoches.
Take that new person whose arrival kicked off this whole thing. Having a child is hardly new, or even unique, but I would venture to guess that the newest Watson is unique as is the effect he has on his family and, ultimately, on the world.
My favorite thing about the TYSIC has been reading about and following the progress of so many different ways that people are working to improve their lives. Whether the initial idea is entirely unique seems beside the point.
PS You’ll all have to forgive me; I’m not usually awake at 8AM on a Sunday (cursed US Daylight Savings Time) and it seems to be making me rather effusive…
Posted by vikz on March 14, 2010
Thats the thing with great minds. They often come to a similar conclusion.
Still struggling with some of my goals. I have touched on one which appears affect quite a few of my other goals. I over think things. It is affecting my driving lesson, work goals, dating, pretty much everything. It is proving a very difficult character trait to neutralise. I think this maybe the sort of thing you should have grown out of in your teens, rather than taking it with you into your late 20’s. Still, small steps i suppose.
Posted by Cat :) on March 14, 2010
Hah, my Sunday is already over over here. That double use of the word ‘over’ looks silly but makes sense. And don’t forget CATE was good in a similar way it encouraged people to be GATE (:
Posted by CarlitoBurrito on March 14, 2010
What a lovely little website! My personal favourite pledge is “I will I will remind people how GREAT they are”.
I hope everyone is well. Just another reminder: I do a blog on my local paper’s website and recently posted one about TYSIC http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/yoursay/blogs/5059685.A_Ten_Year_Self_Improvement_Challenge/
Let’s all try and spread the love.
Happy Sunday
x
Posted by Misha on March 14, 2010
I vaguely knew about that, and pledged to smile at one person each day. I think I managed it.
Continuing the personal challenges, despite feeling a bit fragile, I MADE A PHONE CALL!
Rather pleased with that, even if it wasn’t for a fun reason (cutting my edinburgh stay shorter by a day). Back to the ironing I guess.