December: Sharing The Challenge Year Story
Speak loudly.
In 2022 I embarked on and created, The Challenge Year. There was no end goal in mind when I started this journey, but now it is clear that there was something much bigger going on that I never could have imagined. For my final challenge in 2022, I decided to share my story of The Challenge Year.
As the months went by, I became more excited about my challenges and what I was experiencing through The Challenge Year. I truly believed I was on to something grand and beneficial; I wanted to share it more broadly as my December challenge.
I also wanted to take on this challenge to help me care less about how others view me. I have always had the desire to share my thoughts, experiences, and story but have often been very timid to do so. With that said, the most formidable challenge I faced this month was initially pulling the trigger. I spent many evenings and weekends working on my website and the content, ensuring I was comfortable sharing.
Thinking about others was a train of thought that helped me overcome my nervousness. After going through everything I just did, I thought, "who would I be helping if I decided to hold all of this to myself?” I found the strength to share through this mindset and encouragement from friends and family.
Starting off this challenge could not have gone any better. On the first of the month, CBS interviewed me about The Challenge Year, which aired a few weeks later. (Link for this interview can be found at the bottom of this page). Throughout the rest of the month, I built my website, wrote posts, and talked with others about my experience. On days when I had little time, I sent texts sharing the website.
Through these efforts, a number of friends, acquaintances, and strangers have reached out to tell me that they will be doing The Challenge Year themselves. It is encouraging to hear from others about how they were inspired to go on their own Challenge Year journey.
This brings me to my main takeaway for the month. That is the importance of sharing your story. Everyone is in a very different spot in their lives; we never know what someone might need to hear to be inspired. I know first-hand that it is not easy to initially share, but I promise it feels great. Through this challenge, I was able to get accustomed to caring less about what others think of me. I got more comfortable because I realized the impact I could have on others.
Now that I completed this 2022 journey, and after sharing the story, the purpose of The Challenge Year is clear to me. That is, to inspire, spark ideas, and empower gratitude. Overall, to help encourage others to be the best version of themselves. Independently that is what The Challenge Year is all about.
However, the world had another purpose in mind for me personally with The Challenge Year. I had no idea, but I was preparing myself for what will likely be the most challenging year of my life in 2023. Through my December challenge, I have been inspired to pledge my 2023 Challenge Year and to keep sharing my story with others.
In December, my challenge was to share The Challenge Year story. Turns out that story is not done yet. And so, I will continue to share this journey with others. I encourage you to continue to follow along. To learn more about my 2023 Challenge Year pledge and why this will be the most challenging year of my life; check out my “2023 Pledge.”
I will only see the impact I can truly make by speaking loudly.
CBS Interview: Link
