Monday, June 11, 2007

Do you accept...

THE HUNDRED DAY CHALLENGE?

I would like to issue a challenge to anyone interested. The rules are easy and the results are amazing. In celebration of tomorrow (June 12th) which marks the end of my own hundred day challenge, I am sharing the wealth. Here's the background on it: Our son came home from his hundredth day of school party with a journal that said: "One hundred days ago, I couldn't write. Now I can sound out words and I can write. And I can make my fives the right way. I like school." OK, the spelling was a little choppier, but it struck us how he had gone from unable to read, write or do math, to being able to do all three in one hundred days. This got my husband thinking. If a Kindergartner can learn so much in 100 days, why not us? And he put himself on a hundred day challenge. Then he got me started, and I set the goal of working on "that book" I always intended to write...and 99 days later, I have made incredible headway on something that otherwise would have gone untouched. (Entire plot is outlined, book is named, characters established, and 55 pages of single spaced writing are completed.)

So here is the challenge: Choose a goal to work on daily for 100 days. It could be ANYTHING--healthier eating or exercise, taking a class of some sort, finishing an unfinished project, practicing patience or other attributes, learning a new skill, language, instrument, etc., reading books, cooking, playing with your kids, deepening spirituality, keeping up on your home, accomplishing a goal at work, taking time for yourself...you get the idea. Anything you would like to tackle for 100 days. Once you have chosen the goal, you simply make a conscientious effort to work on it daily for 100 days. THEN....report back on September 18th and share your success story!

Are you game??? My goal for my next 100 day challenge is to get 100 people on the challenge...so I hope you'll be willing to join Brian and I. Invite your friends and family too. In the comments, state your name and your goal, and from there it's up to you. I don't think you'll regret the decision to take this on!!!

Happy Hundred!

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, where do I begin!? There are so many things I would put on my list!

But, I will join your 100 day challenge! I could use something like this to get me motivated!

p.s. Congrads on getting your book off the ground! Mine seems to have taken a backseat to child rearing!

Anonymous said...

Funny you should mention your 100 day challenge, as I just commited to "finishing" my so-called "album" this summer. I'm all in. I have an
additional challenge--please document your progress as you work toward your goal so we'll have a collection of useful and enlightening
stories in September. At least be ready to tell something about it. Take notes. Or at least take note.

Betsy Hite Reddoch said...

Hi Amy! I was just lamenting yesterday that my progress in my BYU BGS program has stalled horribly due to my lack of motivation/busy life. I accept your 100 day challenge! I will work on school at least a little every day for 100 days. I expect that I will be able to complete my current class (Family Finance) and move on to my next class (probably Children's Lit) in that time.

Thanks for the little push!
Betsy

carol said...

I am a friend of team biddle, and thru her, I was brought here. I accept the challenge, and I have posted on my blog my details. As well as linking to you! Good luck!

heymaughan said...

OK Marie, Adam, Betsy and Carol--you are my FAB FOUR. My trailblazers, and the bravest of the bunch. Of nearly 50 visitors to the blog yesterday, only you four have accepted this challenge....

so far.

I think everyone else is simply deciding what they will conquer for their own 100 days, and surely they will follow suit....

Come on folks--step on up. Who will be the next to look 100 days square in the eye?

Anonymous said...

I'm in.
Goal, details and regular updates to follow.

Anonymous said...

Sure, I'll take you up, as long as I can count back to June 4. I started
a new gym regimen that I'd like to see myself continue.

I will go to the gym no less than four days per week every week until
September 11. I don't have a specific weight goal, but I do hope it
makes me look better in my clothes. And my swimsuit. Especially my
swimsuit.

jenerekfamily said...

Here it goes, no sugar for 100 days.

Jen

Anonymous said...

I'll take the challenge I need to get into better shape this year.
I've refereed High School and Club soccer the past 10 years and this year
I'm stepping up to the College ranks, and I need to step up my fitness
level. So I'm going to run every day for the next 100 days.

Thanks for the challenge,

Sean

heymaughan said...

Oh boy, you guys are inspiring me now. Jen that is a BIG one. The longest I have given up sweets is for about 40 days at a time (or however long Lent is-- my annual Catholic splurge.) Sean and Marianne, we'll have to have a beach party at the end of the summer since you'll be in such great shape. I will come, but I will be wearing a moo-moo. And dad and Marie, let us know when you choose your challenges!

Keep them coming, folks!

Anonymous said...

Mine is scripture study daily for 100 days. This has taken a backseat since I stopped teaching seminary and I really miss it.

I have one other goal...but I shall keep it to myself...hee hee.

Dave said...

Hey i just saw your challenge, linked through team Biddle, I'm in!
Not sure what to work on though, the list would fill volumes! I am leaning towards Scripture study or for my wifes sake and to keep me out of the dog house, Finish the Kitchen re model!

Anonymous said...

My wife (Carol) managed to be named as part of the fab 4, but in my mind this comment was posted even before hers. I saw my comment posted yesterday right at the top of the list after reading about the challenge. Nevermind that it took 36 hours for me to actually write this comment. Wait, oh nevermind. Posting my official acceptance of the 100 day challenge a day late means I get one extra day to accomplish my goal of procrastinating less. Actually I really do have a goal but I already posted it on my blog.

The Titmi said...

Not saying I have a potty mouth or anything but I accept your challenge and I will go 100 days of no not so pleasent words to my kids. Well I guess it should be that I will never say unpleasant words since my kids are always around. Its no writing a book. . .but it is my relationship with my kids.

Ps It is still the 12th for me as I have not gone to bed

PPS Jen, no sugar really? Isn't that a bit harsh??:)

kipalee said...

I'm joining the club. I will eat healthy for 100 days, for me that means no treats because I always eat healthy it's just all I eat on top of the healthy stuff. I will exercise each day and read my scriptures in Spanish for a hundred days. That's three committments but they all are important to me. This is so that when I do take the big dive at the Bungee Jump I will be lighter and tighter and won't spill all over. Seems like you will get your hundred takers AMY.
Grandma KIP

The Titmi said...

Well, I unfortunately had a hard time going to sleep over this one Amy! There are too many things that need attention now to only do one. Also, I am hoping that two negatives(two not doing somethings as opposed to two doing somethings) will equal a positive. So here is my other negative, I will not watch TV for 100 days other than the occasional movie with the man and watching National Bingo night to see if we were on it.
I know its sooo convienant considering there are no good shows on until the 100 days are over but that means I won't be watching the shows that are not even worth watching in the name of relaxing after a hard day and therefore will be able to accomplish much.
Why is there no spell checks on comments???

Anonymous said...

I pledge to brush my teeth every day for 100 days. I'll do that AND the other thing I've been meaning to start for a while. I'll let you know how it goes.

Shelly said...

I got here from the Team Biddle blog, and I'm so glad I clicked it!

First off- I WILL READ YOUR BOOK!!! You write beautifully!

I am doing the Breast Cancer 3-Day in September, and ironically enough, it's almost 100 days away- a couple weeks shy actually.

So my goal will be to support that cause in any way I possibly can- through donations, awareness and training (hopefully this gets me to my fitness goals automatically, so I'm not going to count that and maybe it'll be like "magic"...hehe).

Thanks for the inspiration, you can count me in!

Anonymous said...

Can I just say...YEAH FOR SEATTLE! My friend Torrie wrote on our blog that she is in too!!!

heymaughan said...

No kidding. Seattle rocks in more than just American Idol contestants! Thanks for tagging your friends, Marie--will I meet them when I come see you?

naturegirl said...

I accept! I will see how many names I can prepare and do the work for. I'm not promising tons since I have never done it. But, I have really needed a push to start. So here goes! Thanks Amy for such an inspiring idea.

Anonymous said...

I gladly accept your challenge. I have several things I could do for my hundred days. I wish I could go without medical issues for 100 days but we all know that is impossible. I also wish I could give up sugar for 100 days but 100 minutes is long enough. I vow to work on my house--cleaning, painting, organizing, tiling, landscaping (yeah, we are doing most ourselves now), etc, etc for at least an hour a day for the next 100 days--let's hope it only takes 100 days for most of that stuff. Thanks Amy! My next 100 days (as well as some sprinkled here and there within this 100 days) will be to get my book into a more concrete form--I have a girl in the ward watching my kids 2 times a week so I can, you would think I would be farther along than I am.

Anonymous said...

Okay Amy. I've got one. I'll start right.....NOW. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for the challenge.

Anonymous said...

I'm done. I started on Jan 1 and I'm still going. I gave up treats for a year. I like the idea of 100 days better than 365. THe funny thing is, after Mary found out she was going to be great with child on Johns Birthday she gave them up too. We gave them up for different reasons. I guess I shouldn't report yet since everybody is just starting. Man, come on you guys hurry up.

Anonymous said...

I'm definately planning to participate, I'm just having a hard time deciding what to work on--there are so many things I need to improve on! Maybe I should switch it around and try to work on my list of a hundred things for one day. In any case, count me among your 100, and thanks for the little push--I could sure use all the motivation I can get.

jenerekfamily said...

You know Kelly, I think yours is harder than mine.

Jen

Anonymous said...

I'm going to try to continue to be pregnant for the next 100 days AND, more importantly, not complain about any pregnancy discomfort either.

PS As an informational point, breast feeding does NOT serve as an effective method of birth control.

Anonymous said...

Amy, I love the idea for this challenge. So I have committed to work on learning Italian. Rob served a mission there and has tried to get me to learn, but I've been too stubborn. Thanks for the push.

Anonymous said...

Referred by Amy's Bizzert -- OK, I'm in. I have a project that I have been 'meaning to do' for almost 35 years. Back in the 70's when taking slides was all the rage, I took rolls and rolls of my five sons growing up. They are housed in lotza slide trays in boxes in a storage shed waiting for some action. During the next 100 days I am going to go through them, sort, catagorize, and digitize them and burn onto a CD. (What a great Christmas present to my boys!) Thanks for this nudge, I'll report back in September after a Summer of walking down memory lane. Happy & Safe Summer to everyone! Lauralee ManorBooks

Kirbell said...

I accept! I'm reading scriptures every day (this may be easy for some, but not for me) for 100 days! Hope you get your 100 people!
--Kirsten

Ashley said...

I like this idea. I got here from Cheryl's blog...I'm her neighbor and in her ward. I'm going to go without tv for 100 days and read my scriptures for 100 days. Maybe I should quit surfing the internet for 100 days - my kids are behind me causing all manner of trouble. Sigh.

Anonymous said...

OK--So now you can add two more to your list of 100. Bryan and I are going to GIVE UP ALL FOODS WITH CORN SYRUP IN IT. He thinks I should give up shopping at Target for 100 days, but I am afraid our diaper bill will double in cost if I commit to something that extreme. We will also give up TIVO, air conditioning in our home, cable, and texting. I know that is a lot to give up, but, according to Bryan, we have alot of will power.

Regarding the corn syrup, if you don't think that will be hard, start reading the ingredients list on the foods you buy.

Maureen

Mandee said...

I will be reading my scriptures for the next 100 days. And get my real estate license. And try to start a magazine! Thanks for the motivation!

Nicole said...

I have been refered to your challenge by Cheryl, and I accept. I will commitee to eat better and excersied at least 5 days a week! Thanks for the push!!

Anonymous said...

As a team we are going to exercise for 100 days!

Deby said...

I was referred to you by Mandee. I love your challenge! I am going to:
1) Sew my first set of pajama pants
2) Get Alexis' baby book up to date
3) Exercise and walk the dog five days a week

Anonymous said...

ok - so love your challenge and am ready and willing to accept.

1. Personal Scripture Study
2. Write in kids/my journal
3. Update photos around the house

Anonymous said...

Okay, so Marie has hassled me about the fact I haven't posted my "acceptance of the challange publicly", so here goes:

I've spent easily 60 hours a week for the last 12 years in front of a computer. While I could say my challange is to get away from the monitor more or even excercise more, my real shame here is that I never actually learned to touch type.

I will preface this with the fact that I'm quite good and fast while I can LOOK at a keyboard, I really, really suck when I have to touch type. I know, I know... 12 years... It's sad, almost pathetic. It truly is an insult to my geek nature that I never learned.

So I will take a typing test 3-10 times daily in an attempt to get good at it.

I know this isn't one of those inspiring goals, but in the geek world, my 15-20 words per minute really is sad...

Torrie said...

I am a friend of maries and i am going to join in the 100 day challange. my goal isn't big, but it's important to me, to better my relationships with people. i am going to not say "i'm tired". i say it ALL the time and it makes my kids and husband think i'm tired of them, or because of them, and it's not. so ultimately, my goal is to get enough sleep, so i don't need to say "I'm so tired!"
thanks for the great idea!
Torrie

heymaughan said...

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Thank you to everyone who is taking on this challenge! I am amazed at the commitments you are making, and you are making my goal look easy next to your goals. We are getting there...keep them coming!!

Anonymous said...

My friend Naseem loved the challenge and has given up coffee for 100 days...

Jewels said...

Okay, since my bf Marie and husband Dave have committed, here's mine: I will get my house organized and unneeded items purged over the next 100 days. And yes, it will take me that long. You should see my storage area, garage, closets, cupboards...

jenerekfamily said...

We've committed to another goal for the next 100 days - so you can add Derek to your list now.

Anonymous said...

Amy's Bizzert sent me here. I started my hundred days on Father's day. Thank you for the challenge.
-Heidi

Anonymous said...

Amy, thank you for this needed "kick in the pants!"
Justin and I are committing to being in bed by 10:30 every night. I will complete our 3 month food storage and exercise 5x/week. I will use a meal plan every week.

Anonymous said...

I have decided to join the challenge a little late. I want to exercise three days a week for the next 100 days. I really don't like exercising but I love food so I figured I either had to give up food or exercise more. Food won out...so exercise it is.

heymaughan said...

(Kristi, I copied your comment into this section so as to keep a running total in one place.)

I'm so happy people keep joining us. We are at 41...and the half way mark is within reach. Thanks for being a goal-oriented crowd and supporting this idea.

Anonymous said...

i am so ready to lose a lot of this pregnancy weight i have accumalated...well anyway i am going to do weightwatchers, which means i am going to eat healthier for the next 100 days. let's see how this works. thanks for the motivation.

Anonymous said...

I will drink the recommended amount of water each day. If you knew my current drinking habits (or lack thereof) you would know this is a big and much needed challenge for me.
Kristy McKracken

Ace said...

On February 23rd, the concept of "the next 100 days" struck me. It was powerful. As the idea started to formulate in my mind I wondered what if we all did just one thing, one thing we have always wanted to do, but have never taken the time to accomplish? If we all did that, what would the next 100 days hold for us?

It is exciting to see it coming to life. Keep us posted [I want to hear about your progress] and keep the ripple effect going. I am working on my own 100 day challenge that I will share with everyone soon.

"What will you do in the next 100 days?"

Kenton and Marianne Ogg said...

What a challege! I like this! For my hundred days, I will be enjoying 100 salads. I'm not a fan of leafy greens, I try to avoid them for the most part. But since they are so healthy for you, they will be my first 100 days. I like the idea of having a new 100 day goal when this one is over. Maybe I will be more courageous like my Cousin Jen next time!

Marianne Ogg

Jewels said...

So far I have emptied out two closets and 1/2 my kitchen. Much, much more to come!

laura said...

I am in. I come to you through Cheryl's blog and actually accepted your challenge a couple weeks ago. I am LOVING it. My goal: To get organized- in every way. Cupboards, closets, recipe books,drawers, my computer, pictures, out of season clothes, file folders, etc. I spend one hour each day organizing. (This tells you how chaotic my house is right now.) So far- all is well. I have finished some major projects that I've been putting off. Thanks for the challenge.

BlondieBlueEyes said...

Hi, I am Amy Stevenson's sister in law Korby from Logan, Utah. I finally figured out what I will do for my 100 day challenge. I am going to read a book. Yeah the other day someone mentioned reading a book and I said “what?” they said “ya I read a book”. Wow people still do that I haven’t read one of those in years with the exception of picture books. So I am challenging myself to pick one of those so called “books” and read it. Now I just have to figure out which one to read from what I have heard their are MANY of them out there.

Unknown said...

Count my friend Kathy in. She is committed to take and pass her GED tests within 100 days.

Unknown said...

Just posted pictures and write up on my blog about my 100 day challenge. Have a look. www.manorbooks.wordpress.com

Heather said...

Amy Bizzert directed me here, and I am starting my challenge on Monday July 9th. Sorry to start so late, I am adjusting to life with a new baby in our midst, and I only just now decided on a challenge I think I can do while simultaneously feeding the baby. Thanks for the challenge!

Heather said...

Oops! I forgot to mention my challenge is to learn how to not only use my own camera and do the settings myself, but to also learn how to take better pictures. I will be taking an online class with my oldest son, and I am hoping to get even the teensiest bit better at digital photography since I have no where to go but up in my picture taking skills.

Shanda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
heymaughan said...

It is exciting to see so many commits. I hope everyone is sticking to their challenge. We are just about to launch a separate blog for the challenge that will give people a place to go to see what others are doing and to report on their own successes. Stay tuned!

Jodie said...

referred from Jen Bayles' blog, I'm joining (albeit a little late). For the next 100 days I will eat healthier by cutting out all meats for 100 days (and hopefully longer...) Maybe the 100 days after I'll try for all dairy as well...