Challenge Declined

Challenge Declined

We see it all the time. People challenging themselves to do this or that. “Take the 5 Day Weight Loss Challenge,” “Take the Writer’s Challenge,” and so on. And for some reason we think that by taking up a challenge we’d like to accomplish will inspire us to make a lasting change.
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For some people it does and they make life altering changes. I’m finding that these people are the outliers. Which is why they become inspirational stories. But most people think that a challenge is what they need when they haven’t focussed enough on something they want. As though they’re going to shock themselves into being inspired. But most challenges are abandoned, which is why there’s always another one on the horizon.
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In order for challenges to be successful they must be applied to something on which we’re already focused. They are a test of our knowledge. Perhaps even a way to take the next step on our journey. What they are not, but often become, are a competition…with ourselves. A competition, which once abandoned, only proves that ego part of our mind right.
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Practice focus first. Then, as you improve, challenge yourself only at the level which matches your skill. Challenges are not one size fits all. And since their creators don’t know the unique you, it’s up to you to modify the challenge according to your current focus. This is how you succeed, this is how you make progress.