Oh 2022, I’m glad you’re over. Not in a 2020 or 2021 kind of way, but in the style of “Thanks for visiting, but I’m tired and need to rest now.”
In the closing months of 2021, I was presented with a few challenges that I chose to pick up in the new year. I struggle with making habits stick unless there’s a challenge involved. What I didn’t expect was to pick three that I’d stay focused on throughout 2022.
Each had its own inspiration, struggles, and learnings along the way. Now the year is done and all challenges were completed successfully. It’s time to reflect on the journey and what each provided beyond the obvious.
Read all the books
I’ve been an avid reader all my life. When I need to decompress, it’s off to a book I go. It’s also a wonderful source of learning. While the pandemic got me turned on to podcasts, I’m still more likely to turn to books than I am to other learning methods.
At the end of 2021, I looked at my kindle app and realized I had finished 96 books. That was just my eBooks. What about my paper-based non-fiction books? To be so close to 100 and not hit the mark really messed with my head, so the goal for 2022 was to hit that magical number.
By June, I was almost there and decided to get to 100 by the end of that month. Challenge-motivated doesn’t even begin to describe it! At 9 months in, when I hit 150, I stepped back to reflect on my goal and what types of books I was reading.
I realized I was reading mostly fiction. While that’s not fundamentally problematic, ideas for my writing had also dried up this year. For the last quarter, I decided to focus on non-fiction exclusively, and stop at 175 books. Any extra time would be focused on my writing.
The lesson was clear. As I transitioned to non-fiction, ideas were popping up constantly and I was quickly creating an article a day. The flow returned when I partnered a writing practice with a non-fiction reading practice. It also helped with my coaching work.
While all reading is good reading (occasionally, I can still benefit from trash fiction to cleanse my brain), the right kind of reading creates ideas and encourages creativity.
Walk all the steps
One of my girlfriends challenged herself in 2021 to walk 10K steps every day for that year. My year was too chaotic right from the start to do the same. As the year progressed and health issues made it clear walking was about the one thing I COULD do, I decided I’d go after the 10K a day goal for 2022.
I’ve always found it a struggle to maintain my fitness. During the pandemic, even more so. I know I need movement for my health, but workouts alone aren’t motivating. Enter The Conqueror’s Challenge.
I found the site late in 2020 and was immediately hooked. I received medals as I completed the necessary miles for each challenge. I’ve walked the Grand Canyon, Appalachian Trail, and Iceland’s Ring Road. Going into 2022, I signed up for the Great Wall of China at 2,183 miles and an overall challenge of 2,500 miles for the year.
As someone with AuDHD, fitness is both a struggle and a huge benefit. I’m able to focus and regulate myself better when I exercise first thing in the morning. I know this, but I also love the snooze button. There is an internal debate EVERY MORNING about whether I can work out later (of course I can’t) and if another snooze is possible (maybe one more).
The benefit of distance challenges is that they help me stay motivated when my desire to be healthy is battling every other thing I’d rather be doing. It’s not about the medals – though I am enjoying my growing collection – but about the sense of accomplishment when a challenge is done or “365-day streak” pops up on my watch.
Drink none of the booze
Books and steps resulted in amazing brain chemistry. The dopamine hits and endorphin rush…who wouldn’t like those kinds of challenges? My third challenge wasn’t as appealing. Eliminate drinking, and whatever perceived benefits came along with it.
With a cancer scare earlier this year, drinking was off the menu. I committed for the year, so I was sticking to the plan even after I was given the all-clear. I’m a bit fixated like that when it comes to my word – including to myself.
For the most part, it was easy. Each time I’d be tempted, I’d just ask myself why. What would it give me? What possible benefit would there be that was worth giving up on a commitment to myself? None came close to mattering in comparison.
My mind was clear all year. My body was probably healthier than it had been in a while, even in the face of various concerns. Coping healthier. Clear-headed decisions. The benefits were endless.
But the ultimate gift was when I met my person. Sober. I often struggle with interpersonal interaction, and dating is the absolute worst on many levels. A drink or two helped me get through more than one first date over the years. To meet another human and connect meaningfully clear-headed? This is something for me to consider in all my interactions.
The year is over. In theory, drinking is back on the menu. But I like this version of myself – how I’m feeling, thinking, and living. How I’m showing up in the world for myself and those that are important to me.
Challenge accepted
Challenges are a way for me to trick my AuDHD brain into doing what I want it to do. There are times when they help me fight distraction. Other times, to press through when I have no energy left to give. And occasionally, a challenge will keep me going down a path I know I need to walk because my word matters.
I don’t have any specific challenges set for 2023. Some variation of these three will likely continue without a target in mind. For now, I’m content knowing I will continue to read, move, and engage meaningfully with my people.
No matter what comes up this year, I know that if something is important to me, even if I struggle, a challenge can help me stay focused until I get to done.
Have you used annual challenges to stay motivated? I’d love it if you could share some of your success stories or struggles in the comments.
