New and improved
There are lots more, too. Including some by men, who I’ve just realised are sorely under-represented in this sample. Still, I’m a man and I talk a lot on this blog, so it’s nice to have a balance. Keep up the good, almost-good and frustratingly failed work, everyone!
It’s been hard to do this as regularly as I‘d like, partly because of the busy-busy nature of my life at the moment – and by ‘the moment’ I mean ‘forever’ – but also partly, in truth, because far more people have got involved than I ever expected, and the site is thrillingly full of people’s ups and downs. I wanted to reassure all the excellent participants in this scheme that I am reading everything posted on the site, and in the interests of paying tribute to those people and encouraging the others, today I’m reproducing a selection of updates from the past couple of weeks. Obviously, to put them properly in context you’d need to know what the person’s original challenge was, but you can have fun working it out (some, like ‘did some jogging’, are fairly self-explanatory; some, like ‘still no goats’, a bit less so). The overall impression is of a tremendous hive of minor activity. There are still a lot of people who I think are doing challenges, but haven’t been heard of for a while, so if that’s you, bring us up to date with your progress, even if there hasn’t been any. And it’s never too late to join in by starting a new challenge. We’ve still got nearly ten years, after all.
I’ll be writing a bit about my own successes and failures in the week to come. Remember, if you are discouraged by how things are going, ‘failure’ is just as much a part of the process as ‘success’ for most people. For everyone on the site who’s sold a painting or got a promotion, there is someone who’s encountered setback after setback and feels, as the kids say, full of fail. Or FAIL. Or epic fail. Or whatever it is the kids say these days; I don’t know, I’ve only got one kid and he can’t say anything yet. FML.
So, whatever you’re up to, keep ploughing on. The TYSIC is not like something like Weight Watchers where it’s all about steady progress and being a bit thinner every week and everyone clapping. It’s about finding comradeship in disappointment as much as attainment. The ten-year timescale allows you to go badly off course, or get completely stuck, and still come out of it. Others’ failures should inspire you as much as their successes. Basically, to sum up all this waffling, doing stuff is difficult. We may as well embrace that awkward fact together and try to sneakily beat the odds.
Here are some recent highlights, then. I’ve cut and pasted them straight across from the blog, which means people’s names may appear as links, but if you click on them, probably nothing will happen. Or maybe something will! Who knows! Why not bloody click on them, anyway!
Elin Potential buyer of painting came to visit my studio today. He’s no longer potential buyer. He is buyer of my painting. my largest, most expensive painting. I’m happy! And they were lovely people, a young family, who just happened to walk past and saw the painting through the window!
Alex I went to see my tutor yesterday. Of my own volition. To ask for help. Actual help. This is a massive breakthrough for me. Sadly I think she scared me more than anything else, but at least I now understand the scary thing, even if I still can’t do it.
amycool Oh and I’m on the waiting list for a dentist. She said it shouldn’t take too long, but I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
Rachael Still no goats.
AdeleD Well, what a week. After deciding that calorie counting is no way to lose weight I joined Slimming World. Yesterday was the first weigh-in after a week’s worth of eating their way and I lost a whopping 6lb! Woo-bloody-hoo!
Deanna i went to choir and sang really high notes, and met some lovely people.
howlie, Phoned the doctors and spent nearly an hour playing bass today. Hurrah! I also stood up for my brother in a mild incident with someone from my school yesterday. Confusing I know since my brother is still in primary school, but work has taught me to be firm and it was a kid from work. Power to not taking crap!
Steph My driving instructor told me to book my test! And he hasn’t had a pupil fail for over a year so goal #4 is looking like it might be finished quite soon.
Marbles Went jogging this morning and we managed to dodge the downpours!
triangle42 Trying to learn how to play the piano piece I’ve written so it can be recorded for my music coursework. I didn’t write it to my own playing abilities so it’s a bit of a challenge, but thankfully I have an empty house in which to practice to my heart’s content.
ohdear Today, I accepted my offer from Stirling Uni. Going there next month to check the place out. I won’t lie to you, I am shitting bricks.
Anna Oh dear, I’ve not managed to listen to any new music this week. In my defence I’ve been busy, getting ready to move on Friday.
Been nice to husband all week, and I’ve felt a bit more confident in my parenting, so not a totally lost week.
Rachel I vow to not post anything negative on twitter/facebook for a week. If I do I give permission for everyone to shun me, unless of course something goes badly wrong i.e. my uncle dies.
Well done everyone. Keep up the good/almost good/frustratingly unsuccessful work!
Posted by Knox on May 15, 2011
Will attempt to do regular updates, which will hopefully spur me on to actually achieving stuff i’ve set myself. blogger’s been stupid and removed my blog, which is irritating. not sure whether to start over, or wait and see if they put it back as they’ve said it’s a temporary thing…
So awesome to see everyone else’s efforts and successes – it helps a huge amount, knowing there are so many other people out there, all working away at something or other to be better somehow.
Posted by Marbles on May 9, 2010
My first blog mention – so exciting and has cheered up my day no end
I have been dreadful at updating properly recently but have been reading everyone else’s – although slightly behind on blogs, hence my delayed reply.
Keep up the good work guys!
x
Posted by Joelle Stanton on May 4, 2010
I haven’t posted much on the main site as I’ve been cutting back on my computer use, mainly to prove adults wrong that think all teenagers do these days is sit at a computer like a vegetable.
When I have posted however I got lovely comments from Marbles and Helen this made me want to keep going and work harder at my goals as I haven’t been trying all that hard. I feel like there’s a community going on now and I’m liking this TYSIC thing more and more!
Posted by louisel on May 3, 2010
Eeek, I’ve been really bad at updating (as in I haven’t … at all)
My TYSIC was to be more confident and do more stuff (vague, I know). I haven’t had chance to make a lot of progress because I’ve had stupid amounts of coursework deadlines, my Gran’s been seriously ill for the past 7 weeks and it’s just generally been really stressful recently.
But last week things started happening, and I started with the confidence one by performing in front of 1800 people in one of the best acoustics in the world (apparently). Scary stuff, but I actually enjoyed it!
And the more fun stuff thing is going well, I’ve booked hods of tickets for stuff and I’m planning a trip to London in the summer with my mates after the exams. Oooh, and I went to see Dara O’briain on Friday and got to meet him afterwards, which was lovely
So slow progress, but like you said, I’ve got nearly 10 years
Posted by Katie on May 3, 2010
I have nothing to say, really, except that I am shitting bricks in a very big way and that I have one week of school left and exams and going to see the uni and oh my God, argh, I think my head has just imploded, fuck…!
Give me a minute, I’ll be alright.
Posted by Lindsay on May 3, 2010
Two months late with my homework- clearly the worst pupil in the class. But here it is:
In ten years I will be a botanical scientist, with a house full of children and dogs.
(Currently not any kind of a scientist, dog-owner, mother or house-owner)
Posted by Emmy on May 3, 2010
Ooh, I’m bad at writing updates. Mainly because I can never condense my thoughts properly.
Great job everyone! Seeing people doing stuff and moving forward is fantastic. Keep it going! You are all making me look like a lazy bum, but in a really good, motivating way.
Posted by MusicalLottie on May 3, 2010
Hm, I ought to try to update my TYSIC thingy at least once a week. Maybe that’s a mini-TYSIC in itself!
Posted by Megan on May 2, 2010
On the academic front, I’ve signed up for a class in Heritage Resource Management. If it goes well, I will be enrolling in the graduate certificate program. This, unlike a PhD, I can do full-time. It will also hone my skills/specialities a bit so that when I can apply, I will have an excellent application (fingers crossed).
On the writing front, well, yeah, I have done a smidge, but an embarrassingly small smidge.
As for biking around Iceland, well, I’m trying to keep in shape? I ran a 10K in Toronto this morning.
Posted by Catherine on May 2, 2010
Anna,
I sent the YouTube link for Geeza to my brother. He is a journalism professor in Iowa who loves the Civil War (American). For some reason, unknown to any of us in the family, he loves English football. He follows Fulham.
Cathy
In America
Posted by A lot of Rach[a]els on May 2, 2010
As I was reading this I was thinking: “I really should update more but I haven’t made much progress” and then you mentioned me, which made me feel very happy.
I’m still doing the positive thinking thing, so it has lasted longer then a week and made me feel happier in general.
Posted by Misha on May 2, 2010
It seems mad that this is a 10 year thing. Ever so occasionally it comes out of the left field and I remember. And it’s like bam! Scary!
Posted by Corey on May 2, 2010
I’ve been very lazy with updates on the TYSIC site, will get motivated soon. In other news being as I very excitedly won a book, I’ve decided to come to the Edinburgh book launch. Always wanted to do the Fringe so this year I am.
Good work people!
Posted by Anna on May 2, 2010
Ooh, I love it when I get a blog mention! Hopefully this will be the gentle prod I need to get motivated again. I’ve been a bit rubbish at my TYSIC for the last couple of weeks due to our house move. I’m never moving house again. Or, if I do, I’m throwing out everything I own beforehand so I don’t have shedloads of crap to move…
I’ve made a new, mini TYSIC, (well, more of a 2 month or so, get some attention for a good cause challenge). On Christmas Eve 2008 my brother’s friend Andrew died suddenly, of meningitis, at the stupidly young age of 26. Some of his friends (of which there were many) have got together and recorded an unofficial World Cup single in his memory. The single will be available to download on 7th June, and all money raised will go to the Meningitis Trust. I’ve challenged myself to spread the word as much as I can, to raise as much money as possible. So (this is where I start to beg) Mark, would you please, please, please, please link to the song/video in your blog, and maybe mention it on Twitter too? I will love you forever (in a completely non-stalkerish way) if you do! (It also might make my brother think a bit more highly of me, he’s always thought I’m a bit odd)
Link to the video is here http://www.youtube.com/user/astarsound
Thank you in advance!
Posted by Issey on May 2, 2010
Having a total failure of a week (well past 2 weeks). My TYSIC is to become more confident, less anxious about things + generally get my life off to a good start. I was diagnosed with Scarlet Fever + Tonsillitis last week but now i also have Glandular fever. This has come at the worst possible time as I have exams in a few weeks including my art exam in a couple of days. Haven’t been able to do much revision so exams aren’t looking like they will be successful! I’ve still got another year until uni but I hate my current sixth form college + need to decide whether to try to get into an art foundation course early or go elsewhere for the rest of my A levels or just stay put. All these options have good points but all of them have major disadvantages which outweigh the advantages. Bit stuck what to. I hope it’ll work out somehow!
Posted by Kate on May 2, 2010
It’s great to know how everyone is coming along even if it’s not always particularly successful news. Reading these has encouraged me to write something about my TYSIC.
Posted by danny mills on May 2, 2010
i am entirely sure that i saw mark watson with a Gola carrier bag at crewe train station today, AND i look in the guardian today and next to mark watson’s football comments are comments by Danny Mills the footballer who is my namesake. is there some weird synchronicity going on here? are there greater forces at work that i am at pains to understand. so mark, was it you? and what the hell were you doing in crewe? for it is a godforsaken hole by all accounts…
Posted by Kathryn on May 2, 2010
It completely made my day to get a brief mention in this blog. I only took a quick study break to go online- I’m trying to motivate myself by using internet-related bribery. And it was a good reminder that I need to keep practicing the aforementioned piano piece so I can record it on Wednesday.
Posted by Simon on May 2, 2010
Clicking on the links invite me to log on to your WordPress account. Probably not a desirable effect!
Anyway, It’s nice to see how everyone else is getting on with TYSIC. I’m only mildly bitter that my (substantial) progress wasn’t also included in this list!
Posted by Rachael on May 2, 2010
When I was younger my mum said I could have a goat if I got a saturday job, I did but I still haved got that goat so maybe I can convince her that I was a deprived child and get her to get me my first one. Its worked before but a goat is a bit bigger than russian dolls…
Posted by Ben on May 2, 2010
this had made me realise i should probably update more. but the reason i haven’t just recently is because i’ve been Actually Doing Things. not the usual procrastiantion angle. so it’ll be a pretty good update when it comes. maybe tonight.
maybe you should only mention boys in your next update? and yes, that is just a desperate plea to get myself mentioned on the blog. i have some shame, but it’s busy elsewhere.
Posted by elin on May 2, 2010
This really is a lovely little community, I love reading the blog every day, and I’m honoured to be mentioned! I didn’t expect this week to get any better, and then it did!
Posted by Madeleine on May 2, 2010
Good on you for keeping on top of it! Also good point about updating good/bad/stunningly mediocre news. I only really write anything when something positive happens, although the minor setbacks occur more often.