Thanks for joining me on the challenge.  I am glad we are going on this journey together. You can read and follow the Day 2 Challenge process using the steps below. I’ve also shared my own personal process below. Those areas are indented to make it easier for you to find the Day 2 instructions. You can find the start to the challenge here: PowerHabit 30-Day Challenge — Day 1

Day 2

Step 1

Yesterday we thought about the habits that we might want to focus on for this challenge–either bad habits that we’d like to change or good habits that we want to build. It could be an issue or problem area, something for which we want to find a solution. It can also be something that we want to develop or improve.

For me, this decision is a little difficult. I have multiple areas I would like to change or habits I want to build. I need to be patient, though, and know that I can always repeat this challenge for something new.

I decided that my focus for this challenge will be related to my general issues around what I am going to call “finishing.”

Step 2

Now that we have chosen our challenge, John-Roger says, “write about this area, be as specific and as detailed as you can.” He asks us to answer the following question: “What do you know to do that you are not doing in this area?”

As we answer the question, we want to be as detailed and specific as we can. We don’t want to worry about our grammar or other rules of writing. The writing is there to help us process our thoughts around this particular challenge. We can write a list, use phrases, or write complete sentences and form paragraphs. There is no set guidelines as HOW you should write, only that we try to be detailed and specific when we answer the question: “What do you KNOW TO DO that you are NOT DOING in this area?”

For me own benefit, I want a short description of what I mean by “finishing.” Now why do I need to write a description? For me, having the description will probably help me later because of the issue itself which is losing focus and not finishing. So finishing to me means “getting to the end of something so that it feels complete rather than abandoned.”

The things that I know I should be doing and am not doing:

• I know I should be focusing on one task at a time before moving on to something else. By this, I mean not letting myself get distracted by something new, exciting, or pressing.
• I know I should create a sense of completion for what I do complete rather than just jumping into something new without necessarily processing what I have just completed. I know that reflection is always very valuable but I don’t take the time to reflect when I finish. I just dash off to something else.
• I know I should only commit to projects and activities that I will be able to focus on. Usually, though, I over-commit to projects and activities but then it causes me to be stretched thin.
• I know I should be deciding to let things go and not feeling guilty. There are some projects that perhaps I shouldn’t be holding on to but they are still on my to-do list.
• I know I should finish a project before starting a new one.

Step 3

Once we have written about what we know we should be doing in relation to our chosen issue, problem, or new habit, John-Roger instructs us to “Read what you have written. Forgive yourself for any judgments that may have arisen.”

I forgive myself for not “finishing.” I forgive myself for getting distracted and allowing myself to pursue the new exciting idea. I forgive myself for not reflecting on activities when I finish them. I forgive myself for over-committing. I forgive myself for hanging on  to projects even when I maybe should let them go. I forgive myself for starting new projects even when others are still undone. I know that I like to learn and so I am always looking for learning and growth opportunities. I also know that being creative is also a strength.

To forgive yourself, you can write the forgiveness phrase down. What exactly are you forgiving yourself for? You can think the forgiveness phrase, you can sing it, you can post it on Facebook. The important part is that you forgive yourself. Allow yourself to feel the forgiveness. Take a deep breath. How does it feel? Hold on to the feeling.

We will continue the challenge tomorrow with Day 3. Be well.

Please share what you have chosen to focus on for your 30-day challenge. Write a comment below.