It seems like there’s a new challenge popping up every other day.

Some are 30-Day Challenges.  Others are 90-Day Challenges.  And I’ve even seen a couple 100-Day Challenges.

Creating a challenge is easy – but STICKING to one can be difficult!

Challenges are a lot like New Year’s Resolutions – in that you make em’ with the intentions of starting fresh with a new habit or discipline – and assign a time to it that’s usually too long.  What do I mean by too long?  Let’s keep with the New Year’s Resolution example – and use exercise as the focus.  People will say – “I’m going to hit the gym EVERY DAY this year!”  And 10-Days (If they’re lucky!) into it – something happens where they miss a day.  And because 365-Days was the intention – they’ll say, “Well – I’ve blown it!  I might as well just go back to what I was doing.”

It doesn’t have to be that way!

The first thing you need to do is stop setting goals and resolutions!  WHAT?!?  I know you’re saying, “What are you talking about Wes?”  If you’ve ever listened to and/or read anything from Bill Bartmann – you know he says not to use the word “Goal” and to replace it with “Promise”.

Why?  Because you’re more likely to keep a promise than you are a goal.

Here’s Mr. Bartmann’s list of how to achieve what you want:

1. Make sure it is your goal, not someone else’s.
2. Don’t call it a goal, but use the word “promise.”
3. Clearly identify your promise, and write down exactly what you intend to accomplish.
4. Use tools and people around you for motivation.
5. Create a Promise Plan.
6. Review your Promise Plan regularly.
7. Tell yourself you will succeed.
8. Tell others of your promise.
9. Envision the results and see yourself in success.
10. Get started.

What if instead of making 30-Day Challenges and/or 90-Day Challenges – you made New You Day Promises?

Why day by day?  Because if you slip up and make a slight error in judgment – you can promise yourself to do better and start fresh right there on the spot!

And if you take a look at #4 in the list above – “Use tools and people around you for motivation.” – you’ll notice the concept of bringing in outside help.  Promises are great!  But promises backed up by friends constantly encouraging you are even better!

That’s why I’m part of various Mastermind Groups and Tribes.  It’s great to have “Running Partners” to support you and/or hold you to your promises!

With that in mind – I want to BE THE CHANGE!  And promise myself to be an excellent Running Partner and help as many people achieve a New You Day – EVERY Day – as possible!

First and foremost – HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today (Tonight at the time of this post) – we find ourselves not only in a new year – but in a brand new decade as well!

And if you’re a regular visitor of my Blog – you might notice a lot – in fact I won’t sugar coat it – you might notice EVERYTHING that was here before is now missing!  So it’s not JUST the year and decade that are new.  My ENTIRE Blog – including the Hosting Provider it’s residing on – is new!

Why?

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I know I should back-up my Blog Database(s)  - but I’m sure my provider will have all that backed-up should anything ever go wrong.”

Yeah?  Well – DON’T!!!

Anyway – that will be an upcoming post of its own in the very near future – so stay tuned.

Back to the things that are new!

One of the things I promised I’d do starting today – was take part in the 100 Day Challenge being put on by EZineArticles.com.  It’s a really cool idea!  They’re challenging everyone that takes part in it to write 100 Articles in 100 Days.  Here’s a link that’ll provide you with more information -

http://blog.ezinearticles.com/2009/12/3rd-hahd-begins.html#comment-30269

The Mastermind Group I’m part of decided to kick it up a notch and make the challenge consist of a video, a Blog Post, AND an article every day for 100 Days.  And believe me – if you’re wanting to get TONS of branding, marketing, and overall exposure out there – then you can’t do much better than taking this one on!

For my 1st Article of the challenge – I wrote about goals.  It’s entitled – “Happy New YOU Day“.  You can read it here:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Happy-New-You-Day!&id=3506857

And I didn’t do a video.  I did TWO!  Here they are:

So for Day 1 of the 100 Day Challenge – I’m good to go!

One last thing before I move on.  CONGRATS to THE Ohio State Buckeyes for winning the Rose Bowl Game today!  Go Bucks!!!

And with that said – I’m going to go ahead and call this Blog Post a wrap!

Have a DYNAMITE Day, Year, and Decade!