Challenge! (For while I'm gone)
Right. My plan for the week I’m in Portugal is, audaciously, to continue the blog by pre-writing a number of short entries, and getting my personal angel/gullible fool Corry to post them in my absence, as she did before. This is partly because I want to maintain continuity and miss as few days as possible over the 10 years, and partly because there are many deserving guest-blog-applicants and, not really having time to assess them properly, I’m worried I wouldn’t choose well. Don’t worry if you are desperate to do it, though: there will be LOTS more chances in the coming months, and I’m even thinking of having a regular – maybe fortnightly – ‘guest column’, to reflect the impressive diversity of people in this online community/give myself a break.
One appealing idea someone raised was to have people write ‘masterclass’ type blogs on popular TYSIC areas like being confident, self-motivation, making cakes and so forth, the way I’ve done with comedy and writing. I think this would be great, so when I get back, I shall be advertising for anyone with special and coveted skills to share their secrets.
Now, to mark the period I’m away, I am going to announce a GREAT NEW COMPETITION.
It would be easy for people to slacken off from their individual goals while I’m not there, although I will, of course, be catching up with all Comments when I return. So here is something to keep you busy. I thought it was about time we raised the bar with our TYSICs. The whole notion of a ten-year challenge makes it inevitable there’ll be highs and lows, but now and again I like to stir up the nest a bit, or whatever the phrase is. So, in the general spirit of optimism which this blog promotes, when I’m not too pessimistic, your challenge for the coming seven days is:
DO SOMETHING WHICH CHANGES THE WORLD.
Impossible! You might say. Actually it’s not. As you’ll know if you have read my new book, see my new show live, or listened to the many people who’ve pointed this out more elegantly in the past, everything we do changes the world a tiny bit. The smallest action has many consequences. Bigger actions can have as many as a ‘shitload’.
So – you can interpret this brief any way you like. You could seize this opportunity to do a dramatic thing you always promised yourself, like launching a campaign to save a rare bird, or writing a collection of poems. But alternatively you could just pick up a crisp packet, making the world, in a tiny but measurable way, more pleasant. You could go into a Burger King and say to someone: ‘Don’t eat this; it isn’t very nice’. You could seek out someone who’s clearly lost and offer them directions. You could write DO SOMETHING NICE TODAY! on a toilet door in the hope that some disheartened person will look up from relieving themselves and think ‘damn it, I will!’ All these things would count as changing the world. It’s not the size of gesture but the idealism.
-There will be prizes.
-Your act may be relevant to your TYSIC, or it may be something quite different.
-If you are going to see other readers in the next week, for instance at the picnic on Saturday, you may team up.
-As ever, all you need to do is post details of your deeds in the Comments. Additional evidence, like photos, is welcome.
-You have till I come back, on Saturday 17th. Not long to change the world. But that’s the whole point. It need only take a second.
I’m off to Portugal. Do not disappoint me.
Hehe. I can’t leave you on that note. Good luck everyone!
And don’t disappoint me.
Posted by amycool on July 19, 2010
Coincidentally, last week was probably the week that I changed the world the least as I was ill and my boyfriend crashed our car so we were too sad to do anything. It’s okay though because it looks like other people did lots of wonderful things!
Why couldn’t the challenge have been the week before? hehe.
I think I’m more aware of doing small things for other people/the environment now than I was before I started reading the blog. Like picking up the newspaper that was flying all over the bus stop whilst people sat there and let it fly into their legs.
Posted by Madeleine on July 19, 2010
Also, since before this challange started I’ve always corrected the grammar on toilet wall graffiti. I’m sure seeing that apostrophe on the end of ” fuckin’ ” makes a big change in people’s day.
Posted by Ally on July 19, 2010
My act was going to be to donate blood, as I have had friends on at me for ages to go this, but I chickened out and didn’t donate. I really, really hate needles. I think I shall add donating blood to my list of TYSIC’s (that aren’t getting done. Sigh). I did register to vote just in time for the Australian Federal Election… Does that count?
Posted by Laurs on July 18, 2010
Is it wrong that after 5 years being a teacher, I finally realised this week that I am doing some good for he future generations. I’ve had previous students come and let me know about their successes, a lovely little year 7 boy who has had the most difficult year come to shake my hand and thank me for helping him and a 6th former be amazed that I offered to buy him a copy of Catcher In The Rye, something he has wanted to read for ages but cant afford to buy himself.
Small scale compared to some, I guess, but nonetheless, there are some people out there who will change the world for the better, because they’ve sat in my classroom.
(And I’ve just realised how completely self obsessed this sounds, it wasnt meant to be that way. Sorry.)
Posted by Marie on July 18, 2010
Not a big thing, and it probably helped me out as much, but I donated three bags of clothes to charity…
Posted by Madeleine on July 18, 2010
Alright, I’ve done something. Don’t know if it counts.
I have a half brother (Finn) who lives with his mother (I live with mine). When his mum and our dad were together, they fought pretty much all the time, she is not a nice woman and their 5 years together were pretty horrible for both me and Finn. I got to go and live with my mum though but he’s stuck with his every day. To make matters worse, she’s hooked up with quite a nasty guy. He’s not abusing Finn, but it’s still a bad environment. I’ve always (cowardly) tried to stay out of the whole situation, but have sadly missed out on spending much time with my brother so I wouldn’t have to deal with his mum.
This week I had him over to my house, took him out to dinner and just generally hung out. I’ve also promised myself that I will make a much greater effort to get him out of that house and spend more time with him. This could not count, cause it’s only changing one kid’s world a little bit, but this challange has given me the kick in the butt to do something I should have been doing for a long time.
Posted by hornseygirl on July 17, 2010
I hope, Mark, you all had a great holiday.
My (very small) act was to save two bees from near certain death; but if Einstein was right about the inextricable link between bee pollination and the survival of the human race…
Posted by (Magnificent) Josh on July 17, 2010
I fear I may have taken the brief a little too literally.
http://i32.tinypic.com/2ynglk0.jpg
Posted by Aislinn on July 16, 2010
I can vouch for both Misha, as the picnic was extremely fun and Kirsty, if the cookies at the picnic were the same ones she has just posted the recipe for online (they were delicious).
I’ve done a few things, though each of them only small.
1. I did my walk for MNDA. This was after seeing Patrick the Optimist’s website when you linked to it and being really moved and inspired to do something. I raised over £360, which I’m really proud of.
2. As part of the above challenge, I also drew a portrait of Patrick, as a tribute to what he’s doing. I’ve almost finished it, and will put it on eBay or similar to try and raise that tiny bit more.
3. I sent messages to people on Facebook. Some of them are people I haven’t spoken to since primary school, some I speak to all the time and some I’ve never really known very well. They just included memories I’ve had of them which they had perhaps forgotten all about, or things I like about them. I sent thirty messages, and if one of them makes somebody happy then it’s worth it.
4. There is one more thing in the pipeline. It is very hush hush. All will be revealed (to you) in Edinburgh.
If I’ve got my act together by the time you read this, there might be a blog up at http://fuckyeahnothingmuch.blogspot.com/
Posted by Kirsty on July 16, 2010
I have changed the world by making my super-secret, violently-protected cookie recipe public. It is a tiny thing, but the only thing i could think of to do.
http://kirstylawrenz.blogspot.com/2010/07/super-secret-cookie-recipe-revealed.html
Posted by Misha on July 15, 2010
A small blog about the small things I did to be nice.
Since I won’t be online after tomorrow night, and probably won’t leave the house tomorrow, here’s what I did.
http://howliesblogthing.blogspot.com/2010/07/small-things.html
Posted by Anji on July 15, 2010
My world changing contribution. Tonight my puppy (11 months 360 days old) passed her Bronze good citizen award!
She’s my best friend and has helped change my life so much I’m dead proud the training has paid off. She can be a monkey at times but to watch her tonight with my OH trotting around and being an angel felt like a world changing moment. In my eyes any prize should really go to Missy, she’s the star!
Posted by Anna on July 14, 2010
Not sure if this counts as changing the world, but today I went to a garden centre (woo, rock and roll…) and bought lots of bee attracting plants. I’m also going to buy a bee house to put next to the plants.
I’m trying to do my bit to help the bee population, because, basically, if bees die out, we’re all buggered.
Posted by ChrisP on July 14, 2010
I have started a very small attempt to change the world.
Come to think of it, you would have attempted something very similar as part of your trip to the continent.
Posted by Megan on July 14, 2010
I fired an employee who had been harassing/abusing his coworkers inside and outside of work, including using racist, sexist, and homophobic language (which he doesn’t ‘remember’ doing or says was a joke). I actually let him go based on human rights law/our obligation to provide a safe work environment. Hoo boy.
In smaller news, I stopped a bus from pulling away from a stop so that a woman who had mobility problems (and was shouting ‘stop that bus!’ from half a block away) could get on it.
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on July 13, 2010
TODAY I changed the world, with my beautiful twin sister Helen (@iamanicelady).
As Helen stated earlier, it involved stealth, agility, courage and whole lot of post-it notes. The full details can be found here – http://is.gd/dqSZj
Posted by Helen on July 12, 2010
signed up to give blood today
been planning to for ages but this made me finally go for it.
Posted by helen (@iamanicelady) on July 12, 2010
heather! i haven’t managed to find your twitter so i thought i’d do the blog based equivalent of jumping up and down and waving my arms in the air to get your attention:
thank you thank you thank youuuuuuuuuuu for sponsorship!
Posted by fuzzy_ducky (Laura) on July 12, 2010
Right, well I’ve been away for the past few days and have just caught up with your blogs!! I was away in Kerry last week with a few friends. We did different activities such as kayaking, rock climbing and abseiling.
One other activity was bouldering. This involved climbing and clambering over rocks quite close to the waters edge. The aim of the game was to, well, not fall in the water. It may seem quite ludicrous… how can you have fun climbing over rocks you may ask? But it really was quite a challenge… the rocks, sometimes perpendicular to the water (you had to climb across, not over) were quite slippy and well, rocky.
But nearing the end, we started to climb a bit higher, seeing as none of us had fallen in the water the instructors trusted us to be able for the more…. advanced climbing.
We got to the top and were gazing out at the scenery at the edge… when my friend, Mike, tripped, and nearly fell over the side, but I grabbed his jacket and yanked him back…
We were laughing at the time, joking, saying I should have pushed him instead, but he came up to me later and said thanks for saving his life! It was probably just a joke, but it did make me feel better about myself!!!
Posted by Heather Jones on July 11, 2010
Ok, here’s my contribution to the challenge so far:
The Watsonian picnic yesterday added to the total amount of friendliness and happiness in the world, so I’m taking my share of the credit for that (that’s one forteenth of the credit I think?)
I’m making some ( small) donations to the stirling efforts to raise money for charity by other Watsonians.
I found an inspirational youtube video by following a link tweeted by Richard Wiseman – it’s a short animation illustration (by the South Park boys) of a segment of a lecture by a british philosopher I’ve never heard of, called Alan Watts.
I’m hoping as many people as possible will click and have a look and find that it makes a difference to how they (you) view life, or confirmation/ restrengthened resolve to view it this way.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGoTmNU_5A0&feature=player_embedded
If you watch it, please post a comment on my TYSIC posting, in the forum or here, to let me know (cos otherwise I won’t know if I’ve managed to change the world at all).
Posted by Catherine on July 11, 2010
Mark and fam,
Have a good holiday. Will you be watching WC tomorrow night or are all forms of electronics banned on holidays. Don’t forget to to put SPF 100 on the baby along with a hat. Y’all will fry like an egg.
I’m still working on what I can do to make the world better. It may be just not going anywhere and staying off the roads. I’m told by humans I’m a lousy driver. However, my pups think I’m a superb driver.
¡Viva España!
x
Posted by Beth (Bloomability) on July 10, 2010
This week seems like a good week for changing the world (even just a tiny bit). I’m going to London for the first time ever on Tuesday so maybe I can do something whilst I’m there… hmm.
Posted by Anna on July 10, 2010
I’ve not thought of any way I can change the world just yet, but I am thinking about it. I’m sure I can come up with something in a week…
Posted by Laurs on July 10, 2010
Have a fabulous holiday, you deserve it!
And I shall think of something that even I can manage to do…
Good challenge Mark! x
Posted by Marbles on July 10, 2010
Change the world?! It’s taken me all week to get around to changing the bed!
I’ll do my best
Posted by LisaBrunders on July 9, 2010
Have a great holiday. You both need and deserve a rest.
I shall have to give some thought to changing the world, it’s no small challenge, although I expect I shall go for a small change.
Posted by Rachael on July 9, 2010
Crikey you dont ask for much do you?
This is going to take some thought. See you at latitude 
Posted by DeborahF on July 9, 2010
Have a great holiday and I’m positive the blog is safe in Corry’s hands
I’m not sure how much chance I will have to change the world from my IT conference next week, but in the spirit of the challenge I will do my best.
Good luck to my fellow blog readers – I’m looking forward to seeing / reading about the world changing a little bit every day
Posted by Anji on July 9, 2010
Ooo Lydia I too am seeing Mark at Torquay! I know we have to wait ages but yey!
Have a fab holiday Mark, make the most of the pool/sea to keep cool. And hope you cone back feeling relaxed.
Something to change the world eh. Blimey gonna have to think about that. For now though I am going to make a pizza and eat it all to myself… Changing the world takes energy!!
Posted by Lydia on July 9, 2010
That challenge sounds good to me. Especially since this week I completely failed to be brave enough to put myself up for being a guest blogger.
I hope you have a lovely relaxing holiday.
I’m coming to your Torquay show. I know it isn’t until next year, but I’m really excited anyway.
Posted by ChrisP on July 9, 2010
Isn’t this just like the middle bit of Fight Club?
I’m a big fan of Fight Club so I’m all up for this.
Posted by Charlie 'Tribal' Brades on July 9, 2010
I helped a blind man to the sorting office in Ealing. I was walking along the Green and heard a man asking for some help. I turned around and there was lots of people ignoring him and I thought to myself: Do they actually think he doesn’t know they are there? that the ever busy walk way is deserted on the particular day he needs some help? I could see he was getting annoyed so strolled over and told him to walk with me as I was going that way anyway and told the blithering bunch it was just over here on the right if they ever needed to find it in the future. I had a lovely chat with the man who was very kind and said sometimes he just gets ignored but normally people are kind.
I will change the world by telling everyone to help out people on the street if they ask! I know it’s not very British to talk to people you don’t now but worth it to show a bit of kindness in the otherwise faceless London.
Posted by Ben Draper on July 9, 2010
Right, I already have a can of petrol and a Zippo lighter. All I need to do now is arrange transportation to the Amazon basin. I know you meant change it for the better but it’s so much easier to make it worse.
Posted by Maddie on July 9, 2010
Excellent!
Have a great holiday Mark, you may now relax, knowing that we are all off changing the world for the greater good.
( I know the last bit wasn’t really specified, but it makes me feel like a potential super-hero, and I like that).
Posted by Carl on July 9, 2010
Have a great Holiday mate! To you and all the family x
Posted by Madeleine on July 9, 2010
P.S Anyone who’s stumped for world changing ideas, becoming a vegetarian is extremely good for the earth. Just sayin’…
Posted by hornseygirl on July 9, 2010
I like your use of the scientific yardstick ‘shitload’.
Have a relaxing & fun holiday.
Posted by Madeleine on July 9, 2010
I like it! Though for the last five days I’ve gotten up at midday, had porridge, gone back to bed, practiced guitar, read, read this blog, listened to music, watched TV and then gone to sleep every day. Hardly world changing. In the next few days I will do something though, big or small.
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on July 9, 2010
This challenge reminds me of the film Pay It Forward, although hopefully if I participate I won’t get shot at the end. I shall put my thinking cap on.
Have a lovely, relaxing holiday Mark. Shall see you next week! x
Posted by Kathryn on July 9, 2010
Hmm, I’m on holiday as well. I’ll have to change the world from France. It can be done!
Posted by Zoe Fell on July 9, 2010
First off, have a lovely holiday. You’ve chosen an ideal time to go away, take some time to seriously get away from it all.
Secondly, excellent timing. Today is the day that I leave College FOREVER. So I need something to keep myself occupied. I’m rather excited.
Posted by Misha on July 9, 2010
I feel spoilt, 3 blogs in one “day” that is to say, todays, yesterdays and the day before in the same waking period.
Anyway, something to change the world. I’ll see what I can do.