The 31-Minute Challenge FAQ: Getting Ready for January

Between the emails I have received over the last several days, and the comments on my previous post about the 31-minute challenge, we’ve got 18 participants so far — and the month has barely just started. To me this is a wondrous start!

This post is a summary of sorts, an “FAQ,” and some planning suggestions as we all gear up for January.

1. What is the 31-minute challenge?

It is a month-long campaign and a giveaway event for writers, artists or any other dreamers who want to give their dream a real chance by making sure they dedicate at least 31 minutes every single day for a month to working toward their most important goal.

2. When will it officially start?

Of course you can start anytime, as at least two participants will be doing. But officially, we’ll be using December, a busy holiday month, to get our ideas in order, think of our goals, spread the word, get into gear. I challenge you to start on New Year’s Day. Kick off the New Year, writing! (Or working toward whatever is important to you).

3. What are the rules?

– Sign up by emailing me: katiawrites@gmail.com or leaving a comment here saying you want to do this. Note: if you leave a comment but don’t specifically commit to participating, you’re not a participant (but I thank you for your encouragement, anyway!) I think it’s important to make that pledge, to publicly say, “yes, I’m doing this!”

– On Friday, February 1, I will ask everyone who signed up if they were able to meet the challenge every single day. I’ll give everyone a weekend  to confirm that yes, they did it, either via email or comments, so their name could be entered into a drawing for a $31 gift certificate from Barnes & Noble. The name of the winner will be posted on Monday, February 4.

Important: If you skip even a single day, you are not eligible for the prize drawing. Harsh? Maybe. But that’s why this is called a challenge, and not just a giveaway. I want you to really do this right!

– Note: if you started earlier in the month, and have been keeping track, you may end your participation in the challenge earlier. As long as it comes to a total of 31 days in a row, I’ll count it.

4. How will you know if I really did do the work every single day for at least 31 minutes?

I have hired a few elves on the shelves to help me keep track of everyone’s progress. They’re invisible, but they’ll be watching you!

(Yes, it’s an honor system).

5. Who is this challenge for?

a) Those just starting their project.

b) Those in the midst of working on something and needing a boost.

c) Those who have been plodding along for a while, and want to make sure they stay disciplined.

6. Why 31 minutes?

I want to keep it small and non-threatening, in other words totally doable. But anything shorter than half an hour doesn’t feel quite substantial enough to make a great deal of difference. Half an hour, however, is not bad at all. The extra one minute is to allow you to run back to your desk once the timer is set, and go, go, go!

These are the basics. Look for more questions answered a week from today, and feel free to spread the word, to let your friends know!

I’ll leave you with a quote by John C. Maxwell from his book “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership:”

“See what a person is doing every day, day after day, and you’ll know who that person is and what he or she is becoming.”

Happy Monday, everyone!

 

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