This journey began on October 30, 2017.

What started as a 30-day writing challenge is now a 741-day habit.

To put it bluntly, the growth over that time has been beyond what I ever imagined.

Here are a few highlights, and things I didn’t expect to learn, from this journey.

Showcase your work

I love reading.

But simply stating this pales in comparison to being able to point to a publicly visible list of books I’ve read in the past three months, my review (see here, here, and here), and action I’ve changed. 

I consider myself mildly entrepreneurial. This is something many claim. To show my interest in entrepreneurship I’ve documented attempted businesses.

Beyond a blog being a point of public reference for your friends and professional network, it’s a way to show your work to potential employers.

Kill procrastination

Seth Godin has a great post where he reflects on 11 years of daily writing. (My jaw was on the floor too girl.) He makes the following observation, “I’m pretty sure that the blog would still have an impact if I missed a day here or there, but once a commitment is made to a streak, the question shifts from, “should I blog tomorrow,” to, “what will tomorrow’s blog say?”

Early in this adventure having a streak killed the procrastination parasite. 

I distinctly remember day 14 after finishing a 16-mile hike with my family, I got sick and decided to take a nap. I set my timer woke up after a few hours and cranked out that days’ blog post regardless of my splitting headache.

Say yes

Impacts aren’t always predictable. I urge you to give different possibilities a chance.

Specifically, possibilities that align with the skills you want to develop. (It’s easy to forget that last part and just say yes to multitudes of mediocrity.)

Daily writing wasn’t something that initially struck me as appealing but it aligned with a goal I had: become a better writer. So I decided to do it.

Effortless is an illusion

When I think about Michael Angelo, Leonardo De Vinci, and other great thinkers I can slip into telling myself a false narrative that they could do their work with great ease. 

After writing every day for two years it’s awesome to see grit pay off and writing become easier, but it doesn’t become effortless. 

Yes, my ability to think critically and formulate coherent thoughts has drastic improved; I can now write higher quality work in a shorter amount of time (current average is 15 minutes compared to the numerous hours a post took me initially).

However, it still takes effort and is occasionally very, very hard.

Even on day 343, it was challenging. And there are times when I was asking, Is this worthwhile? What good is this doing? Is anyone watching?

It’s been an adventure with highs and lows.

But so worth it.

I know you’d benefit from something similar. 

Even if it’s just for 30 days.

To I pose the challenge we all saw coming: At this moment, right here and right now, will you take the 30-day writing challenge and avoid a life knowing only your comfort zone?

If you do, let me know. I’ll be here, cheering for you always.