Take The “Self” Challenge — Do Something Each Week That Gets You Closer To Your Goals!

Every couple months, a new "challenge" video hits the internet and goes viral. Even if you're older than a high school student, chances are you've seen some of them: the Mannequin, the Whisper, the Try Not To Laugh (you watch funny videos and challenge yourself to not laugh — easier said than done!), the Cinnamon Challenge (ugh!), to name a few. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you clearly don't spend enough time watching YouTube videos. Here are a couple of quick overviews if you'd like a rundown of what these are all about, check out The Viral Internet Stunts Parents Should Know on CNN and Top 13 Challenges Popular on YouTube, as compiled by a YouTube researcher (yes, that's a thing). But don't blame me if you click over to YouTube and don't come back here for two hours!

So why am I talking about goofy challenge stunts and videos... aside from the fact that they're an interesting trend made possible by the magic of social media? Well, this week I'm thinking about challenges, though mostly of a different kind. And they don't involve buckets of ice water, talking with a mouthful of marshmallows, or eating ghost peppers. Thank God for that! I'm talking about things you can do to challenge yourself, whether in your personal life or in business.

Goal-Oriented: Challenge Yourself To Just Do It!

Did you make any New Year's resolutions for 2018? How are those going? Slacking off, much? Around now — a few months in — is a good time to revisit and renew your commitment to the things you wanted to do/change/accomplish this year. It's easy to be fired up about a goal for the first month or two, right? That's why gyms are always so crowded in January. But then... we get lazy. Or busy. Or addicted to some Norwegian series on Netflix. Meanwhile, at work, we get distracted by other demands, new projects, new clients. There are so many reasons our focus can shift away from our goals. So let's shift it back! A good way to get back on track is to challenge yourself to do something specific each week, just one simple task that you might otherwise not accomplish if you don't force yourself. I mean, challenge yourself.

Let's say you want to expand your client base. That's a great goal to have, but a very broad one. It's not like it's a specific task that you can do and then check off your to-do list. Accomplishing it requires its own long list of to-do items that will hopefully net the result you want. So it's kinda easy to ignore that goal when you have more pressing matters come your way. Well, ignore that goal no more! Choose one or two very specific things you can do each week that will help you get closer to the goal of increasing your client base. Write them down if you have to. Prompt yourself with electronic reminders. Whatever it takes to keep the tasks on your radar. And then, like Nike says, “Just do it!”

Be Oh So Quotable This Week!

If you decide to challenge yourself, but no one sees you on Instagram or YouTube, did you really do it? Fortunately, you're not in high school so that question doesn't apply! Any challenges you set for yourself are just that: something you're doing for you and you alone. So don't beat yourself up if you're less than perfect. But do challenge yourself!

For more on challenging yourself and achieving your goals, check out this post from a while back. It might give you a few ideas... and you'll feel more productive than if you watch endless Try Not To Laugh Challenge videos! For entrepreneurs, check out Entrepreneur.com's article Successful People Challenge Themselves. Here's 5 Ways to Do That, which includes some practical advice, including the suggestion that you hang out with people whose age differs from yours. I always think that's a good idea! You can glean wisdom from an older generation, and update your pop culture cred with some help from the “kids.”

I always say running a business means the work never ends! Ain't that the truth? I bet your to-do list is a mile long! Make sure that the items at the top of your list are the things that relate to being more profitable. Everyone is so proud of being so "busy"...But Are You Making Any Money? Don't be too busy to focus!

Check out the summary of last week's business tips and motivational quotes from my Instagram page which you hopefully got to see in real time! If not, let's make sure we're following each other on Instagram!! So...here is this week's roundup of Instagram images of My Top Business Tips and Motivational Quotes.

Oh by the way, Are you searching for easy steps to charge more without losing clients? Learn where you're leaving money on the table and discover simple costs to cut PLUS get productivity tips! And the best part is it's all FREE! Get it now!

Challenge Yourself – Tip #1:

Love this? Pin it to your Quotes Board.

"The best way out is always through." – Robert Frost

Challenge Yourself – Tip #2:

Love this? Pin it to your Business Tips Board.

"When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor." – Elon Musk

Challenge Yourself – Tip #3:

Love this? Pin it to your Motivation Board.

"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." – Viktor Frankl

Challenge Yourself – Tip #4:

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"I was smart enough to go through any door that opened." – Joan Rivers

Challenge Yourself – Tip #5:

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"I’m always perpetually out of my comfort zone." – Tory Burch

Let's talk! I'd love to hear about some of the ways you challenge yourself!

Do you love a challenge? What's the most interesting challenge you've ever taken on! How do you challenge yourself? I would LOVE to hear from you! Anyhoo...I publish these business tips and motivational quotes to get you fired up for your work week!

Oh hey, why not get started right now? Are you up for a challenge? Join our FREE 7-Day Pricing Challenge and receive 7 daily emails jam packed full of pricing tips and tricks!

And, if you want more business tips, get my book, But Are You Making Any Money? or contact me to really take your business to the next level!

xoxo M

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