So we’re always talking about the theory of change here at craigharper.com.
Okay, I’m talking, you’re listening.
Er, reading.
You know what I mean.
Always exploring, discussing and analysing the nuts and bolts of self-improvement.
How to make a better version of… us.
The ‘new and improved’.. you.
Not that we shouldn’t take time to appreciate and enjoy who we are and where we are right now.. but we’re always a work in progress on some level.
Anyway, as you know from Sunday’s post, I’m the Action Dude (sounds like I need a cape or something…. “is it a bird, is it a plane… no, it’s Action Dude!).
Alright, I’ll stop.
Clearly I missed out on the embarrassment gene.
Feel free to cringe and feel uneasy at my expense; I won’t know.
And if you’re a regular on this site then you’ll know that I’m all about removing one’s ass from one’s couch and taking one’s head out of the sand and getting shit done.
Now, If I’m getting too technical for you at any stage, lemme know and I’ll dumb it down a bit for you.
And why is one talking like the Queen anyway?
And in the third person?
Well my faithful readers, today is an opportunity (if you choose to make it so) for you to stop reading, thinking, talking and waiting and to start doing.
Well actually, every day is… but sometimes we need a little shove with love.
I’m giving you the chance to participate in my twenty eight day…(cue the trumpets) “Get-Yer-Shit-Together-challenge”.
GYST challenge for short.
Just rolls off the tongue doesn’t it?
Dunno how it’s gonna look on the posters though.
Oh well.
My PR guy told me that I should probably go for a more PC name for the challenge or perhaps something a little less offensive and more marketable; I told him he had smelly breath and to go clean his yellow teeth with his nicotine-stained fat little fingers.
Sure we could call it something fancy-schmancy like “The Harper Behavioural Modification Program” but..
1) That’s the most lame-ass name I’ve ever heard and
2) When we’re completely honest, all we really wanna do is… get our shit together right?
So the name was a no-brainer.
And as I’ve said before.. “my site, my rules.”
Everything else I write (for mags) is perused (and periodically mauled) by editors… so ya gotta love the creative freedom of a blog.
By the way (yes I know I’m digressing), have you ever noticed how people write completely differently to how they speak?
To their friends they say “C’mon Charlie… get yer shit together man you’re being a total tool.”
But in the written form that sentence translates to “Excuse me Charles, I feel there are some underlying behavioural issues which may need to be explored and addressed.”
Glad I’m not smart enough to write like that.
Now while most challenges have an agenda (use our products, pay our registration fee), my only ‘agenda’ is for you to climb out of that very deep hole you’ve dug for yourself and see what it’s like up here where the sun’s shining and the birds are singing.
For you to step out of Groundhog day and into a world of new possibilities.
That’s right; it’s a practical opportunity for you to start doing and stop talking.
We all need a catalyst.
And a cheer squad.
And a start date.
And we all need to create some momentum… so I’m gonna give you a little nudge.
If you’re a person who has a history of ‘almost’ doing stuff… then this little challenge might be the opportunity for you to break that destructive, repetitious, frustrating cycle of blaaaah that you seem to have embraced so often.
If you’ve been the Captain of the ‘SS Monotony’ for too long… then maybe it’s time to jump ship.
But you need to be ready.
The water’s cold… but it’s oh-so refreshing!!
So why twenty eight days?
Well, my experience tells me that four weeks is long enough to create real change and short enough to stay focused and on track.
And if done properly, these twenty eight days can be the catalyst for life-long change.
Okay, here’s how it works:
1. The start-date is Monday, September 3, 2007.
Yes I know we could all start tomorrow (Wednesday August 29) but some of you won’t even read this until after that date and some of you will need to make some practical arrangements in order to really get the best out of yourself over the twenty eight days. Use this time wisely and productively to get your head, heart and life (practically) where they all need to be for you to create FOREVER change. This challenge is not about four weeks… it’s about starting the wheels turning on life-long change.
It’s a beginning.
2. Identify what needs to change in your life (you already know). Tell someone that you trust what you’re doing and why. Ask them to kick your ass, keep you honest and to encourage you through the four weeks (get them to read this post so they know what you’re talking about). It doesn’t matter what area of your life those changes relate to (health, work, relationships, destructive habits, attitude, self-talk, overcoming fears)… as long as they have something to do with creating positive change in your life.
And no, it’s not a weight-loss challenge (as such)… but if you need to drop some weight then I would love you to get involved.
3. Set some specific goals (regarding that thing/issue/habit).
4. Write NO MORE THAN two hundred words to tell me (and perhaps a few thousand others) what you are going to achieve over the twenty eight days and why it will be different this time. This is your public commitment and yes, this takes a little guts.
If I can reveal my head and heart to you guys every single day… you can do it once. Yeh?
If you don’t want to reveal your identity, use your initials.
By the way, if you can’t take a risk, you can’t succeed.
5. All of your submissions (goals, objectives, commitments) will be displayed in a separate area on this site. There will be a link in the right side bar on the home page (where you are now) below the ‘Life Renovation’ advertisement. It will be up this Friday and it will be an orange box saying ‘GYST Challenge’… click on that link and it will take you through to where all your goals and commitments will be displayed. You can send those from now.
They will be displayed on the site from this Friday.
6. You can send your submission via the comments link at the bottom of this post or you can email me via the ‘email Craig’ menu option in the left side bar. Either way, it will make it through. If a photo is appropriate (and relevant) please send it in a JPG format.
7. Even though it’s called a challenge.. you’re the only competitor and you are.. your major obstacle. If you can get out of your own way, you might do what you’ve failed to do in the past. While it’s not a competition, I will be giving away a few goodies (books, T-shirts, a place in my next Life Renovation program) to people that I feel have made an outstanding effort. Don’tcha think it’s funny that these days we have to motivate people to change their life for the better with prizes… surely the change is the reward?
“I’m not losing weight unless I win a car.”
“Then I’ll get fat again.”
Am I the only one that thinks this is stupid?
I don’t get it; I must be missing something.
Lemme know if you’ve figured it out.
8. Find a reason to succeed. Stop rationalising why now is not the time for you.
If you want to continue to sabotage your life and waste your potential, feel free.
If you want to break the cycle, change your attitude (it’s a choice).
9. Every Monday (for the four weeks) you will be required to send us a one hundred word (or less) brief progress report. This is so we can all see how you’re going and encourage and support you… and so that you have a whole bunch of accountability partners to report to and keep you doing what you need to do.
Just so you know, I will read every submission.
I will comment when I can..
10. I would encourage you to read other people’s submissions and to send through your support and encouragement… either by clicking on the comments link or via email. We will get them and post them either way. I have a good feeling about the potential of something like this concept; no money changing hands, no agendas, no ulterior motives, no products to sell… just a bunch of like-minded people with good motives helping each other towards a better life.
Call me old-fashioned.
It may or may not work; it’s up to you guys.
Start sending your submissions from today and feel free to add your (general) thoughts and comments as well.
Cheering you on,
Craig ( ) – group hug.
{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
Craig:
Once again a great post. I will have to take your challenge. I am at a weird point in my life because tomorrow my mother is moving back in with me because of some deep medical debt (it’s fun not being able to have health insurance after working your entire life here in the good old US of A. Ready to move to another country for this reason alone). I’m in my late 30’s, single, and my marketability with women soon to take a big hit. That being said, I just completed my personal manifesto. Its more than just goals, it is a combination of a lot of things I need to work on and be reminded of in order to become a happy and effective human being. I hope to use the manifesto as a reminder of how I need to live my life. I probably am going through a mid-life crisis, but not enough money to buy a Porshe so the manifesto will have to do. Time to put these reminders and everything I’ve learned in life in action. Keep up the great work!!
Tim in Chicago (USA)
Craig I have recently come across your page thanks to the wonderful world of blogging. You are so honest and I love that. So little people tell it how it is, and it is so refreshing to read your articles. Thank you for setting up the challenge, it is exactly what I have been looking for. Count me in! I am looking forward to achieving the goals I set, and also being accountable for my own future. So here goes….
Goals
-Put my health first by following my balanced eating plan and exercising 4 times.
-To not consume any soft drink, full sugar or diet. Instead, focus on drinking 2L of water each day.
-Check in with the dietitian and be completely honest about my concerns and what I have been eating.
-No mindless/boredom eating.
-No take away dinners.
I am hoping to achieve all the above goals in the challenge and as a ‘bi product’ loose some weight. I am not going to set specific kg’s to loose as I am trying to move my focus away from how much I weight to how I feel and look. I am hoping to have greater control over my body and my eating habits. I want to go to the gym because I know how good I feel once I have exercised, rather than going because I feel I have to. This time will be different because I am the focus, not the number on the scales. I am committed to making life long changes, rather than changes for 4 weeks. I am prepared to work hard for the results, and reward myself for the hard work.
Hey Craig,
I’m IN! Will e-mail ya the submission!
Pip
Balls n all.
Sending shit soon.
Spank you.
Love it!
I’m in!
I use to be able to rock the push-ups. Alright, by the 28th day I want to be able to do 50 in a row and continue with this after the challenge is done.
Walk to or from work daily – 50min walk 4 days a week.
High Impact Exercise 3 x per week at least 20 mins. Wed/Sat/Sun.
Sal
Hi Tim.
Good for you Dude.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Cheers.
Hi Kate.
I’ll be watching.
Peace.
Hello Miss Beck…
No, spank you.
I’ll be on shit lookout.
Peace.
Hi Sal.
50 push-ups in a row?
I want video footage….
Have fun.
Sir –
I’m in.
I like your style – No bullshit.
I don’t care for bullshit.
Frank.
I have lurked around your site since early this year, and enjoy it greatly.
It is uncanny that this challenge is starting Labor Day. I was just explaining to a family member how I feel like I have put my life in cruise control when I should be gunning it! Pretty much I have got comfortable just existing.
So I plan to take your challenge, and really make strides in my career, my fitness and health as well as my family and personal life.
Good Looking Out Craig!
Louie from Phoenix
I’m in…I have had several crushing and defining moments…time to find my real me!
Hi Craig,I think this is a great idea..and as usual you way of approaching problems is very straight-forward and effective.
You know me,the depressed workaholic snob turned successful entrepreneur .
In my previous post I had posted I was earning 5 times more,well now I have increased it to 12 folds.
.
So I think I am well on my way,and you have played a vital part in turning my life around,infact my attitude is on overdrive
I had trouble finding jobs in the past but now I get interview calls from some of the worlds best companies.[I got one today from the worlds largest mutual fund company]
While this all seems like a dream come true,I still have one thing to that needs to be done,get myself professionaly certified by Microsoft.
I have been avoiding this for a some time now,maybe 5 months or so
So I will take this up as a challange and get certified ,scan it and send it to you.
Fair enough?
Hi Craig,
ok, I’m N… Right now I can only give you a hint, it is baby steps, but it is a step and that’s amazing in itself, nes pas?
I will set specific goals and objectives at a latter date but for now I will leave you with this one lonely word:
Balance.
Not the energy bar, the state of mind, body and soul.
Peace to all of us, since Craig sent out this whopper of a double-dog dare… no punking out here!
()Tami
Hi Frank.
Glad you’re on board buddy.
Looking forward to your submission.
Hi Louie.
You’ve stepped out of the shadows; good for you.
Now, do something amazing.
Hi Jen.
Yay.
Looking forward to your submission.
( )
Hi Tami.
No punking out huh?
And what are your goals again…?
“I will set specific goals and objectives at a latter date but..”
Punk.
I’ll be waiting for those specifics!
( )
Hi Craig
I am in gyst here i come. I will send my submission soon
cheers
Hi Barney…
I’ll be waiting.
Uh-huh, calling me out, are ya?
You just set-up the link how-bout it, I’ll give you the specifics then!
That’s right, that Tshirt is so mine!
()
Tami
I;m in! this couldn’t have come at a better time! I will e-mail my submission tonight!
also… after just reading youir life renovation course it got mje thinking; i live so far away and am really remote… have you thought about taping the life reno course and putting it in to book form so we could buy it and do it from home?>
i’d buy it
Tami.
Dude, you talk a good game but..
I’m seein’ donuts.
( )
Hi Kaddy.
Welcome aboard.
1. I’ll wait for your submission
2. No correspondence version yet… but maybe..
Peace ( )
Consider this my submission
We get the keys for our new home on Monday, September the 3rd. Once I move in there, I want to make some serious lifestyle changes. I am already in the process of making some of them. Get Organised is my current challenge, and I am using lists and daily planners. So far it’s working.
Once I get into the new house, I want to
- cook more often
- walk to the beach daily rain or shine
- get on a decent sleep schedule, getting up by 8am at the latest
- eat cereal every morning
- set the basics in place so I can start my new business in October.
I am already putting recipes aside and planning how I am going to walk in the rain, and I have begun eating cereal daily, it’s on my check list.
I expect chaos for at least the first week of moving, possibly the first two, but I am going to try and rise above it and keep setting goals every day.
Thank you Craig – your blog has already helped me to change my life and set goals I never dreamed of setting.
Snoskred
http://www.snoskred.org/
Hmmm…’tis very tempting!
p.s (whispers) I can’t tell you how much it thrills me to see my ole’ blog in your blogroll
Thanks so muchly
hey craigo, i’m in!
jht-15
take care, g. man
julie, hobart tas
Hi Craig,
what a beautiful, inspiring initiative you’re starting here.. My god, this really overwhelmes me. It really feels good to see what kind people there are around the world, and what strong impact a blogging community can make…
As for myself, I really, definitely should take you up on your offer, but I have too much shit going right now to make a choice on what to tackle first. Which, I know, is a problem in itself.
Next to that, the thought of sharing that stuff on the Internet definitely scares the shit out of me.
So, I’ll have to pass for this one.
Just wanted to let you know how much your challenge touches and inspires me..
Thanks a million, all the best to you!
E.
Hi Craig.
I’m in too.
I have one goal for the four weeks and that is to limit alcohol to once a week and then only two glasses.
Kerry
Hi Snoskred.
You’re very welcome.. glad you’re in.
Peace.
Hello Misc Mum.
Don’t be tempted.. be committed!
Yeah Baby… c’mon!!
I’ll cheer you on…
Hi Julie.
I’ll be waiting for that submission…
( )
Hi E.
You already have shared.. well done.
Baby steps.
It is nice to meet some people who have no agenda.. they’re not common.. but they exist.
We exist.
Enjoy your day.
Hi Kerry… you’re in.
Keep us posted on your progress… don’t forget.. every Monday we need an update..
Peace.
Hi Craig, thanks for the positive view on things. I kinda really needed that!
As for the baby steps, you’re right. Absolutely. If, or better when, we’ve made it through today (my mother is having surgery on cancer..) a first step will be set. Knowing that I gave her my best to help her through this will give me strength to take the next step, how tiny it may be!
Thanks (sincerely!) for the encouragement..
And all the strength and cheers for you and everyone taking the challenge!!
E.
Hi E.
Some love for you and your mum..
xx ( )- hug
Hi Craig:
Another inductee into the GYST Challenge.
My wake up call came about a month ago and it is scary to think I have not done anything about it. So I need to, to quote the wise one, pull one’s head out of one’s ass.
1.Kick my procrastination infatuation. All due dates for projects must be met (my wake up call… more like a siren)
2.Go for my scheduled run even when I don’t feel like it and remember to take my vitamins.
And on a holistic level, try to work out where the passion and energy for life are hiding. They must be here somewhere…
Good luck to everyone,
Finn.
PS Craig, how’s Johnny? You haven’t teased him in your posts in ages…
GYST – what will you think of next!
How can I possibly pass up this challenge?
You’re right – I cannot!
My goal – to clean the Chaos! This weekend I will designate a room for each day…some rooms will need multiple days.
Clutter, useless stuff, rubbish, “OMG that still has the tags on it”…all of it!
Ugh…
Hi Craig,
Absolutely LUUURRRVVVEEE your site!
My GYST goal is to make each day the best I can. The best choices in regards to food, exercise and work.
I have some very bad habits that are slowly eroding my sense of self worth. I know that I need to have a better balance in my life so that I become the person I so desperately want to be.
I also want to bring in more positive visualization into my life as I wholeheartedly agree with the power of it.
Thanks for the inspiration!
M
Hey Finn.
Welcome aboard Dude.
Johnnie is okay… he’s gets a little ahead of himself sometimes… he bosses me around.. so I need to slap him every now and then.. to keep him in check.
Peace.
Hi April.
GYST… you like that name?
Had my creative team (me) on it for days.
Glad you’re on board.
( )
Hi M.
We LUUURRRVVVEEE you in our family.
Yep, we’re a cyber family.
I’m the cyber dad (brother, cousin, annoying neighbour).
Peace.
By far my biggest hurdle is PROCRASTINATION!!!
Getting this in on time…..I’m already a winner!!!!
1. Eat within the first hour of being up!! (The whole metabolism kicking in…..best meal of the day thing.)
2. Journal three times a week.
Something I’ve done on and off for 5 years. Know life runs smoother when I do it more often.
3. Lose Weight!!! One pound a week is NOT to difficult. I quit smoking 2 years ago and have not stopped eating since. Ahhhhhhhhhh
IMPORTANT to note. I feel healthier being a non smoker than I ever have in my adult life. Good Luck to all of you who have set that goal for September!!
4. One small snack in the evening!
This for me is the MOST difficult.
5. EXERCISE Three weeks ago they paved the old railroad tracks. It is an awesome trail that runs along beautiful Georgian Bay!! (Part of the 5 Great Lakes)
I have a good 2 months before the snow flies.
I have been biking almost everyday. I love the downhill and flat spots. Going uphill can feel very uncomfortable. That’s a good thing!! Right Craig?????
I am excited!!!
I am accountable!!!
I will succeed!!!
~Dianne~
Hi there,
I just wanted to say ‘Good Luck’ to everyone!!
Hugs,
Amanda
Hi to my future husband or one just like you Craig. You are the MAN! So funny.
GYST I’m in….
Fitness and weights all good love it; I can train until the cows come home and would die if I didn’t do weight session or go for a shuffle (jog) every couple of days. I weight train 5 to 6 days a week, jog 5 to 10 kms every second day or 3rd day.
But oh I Eat CRAP! That is probably and understatement. Lots of crap. A few years ago I competed in a few figure comps and know if I eat clean have a good night sleeps stop burning the candle. I can look a million dollars no a squillion million dollars. G MY ST will help me focus on a new routine I need to change my routine, may be do a cycle or dance class to get the cobwebs out.
My goal in the next 28 days is a dress size or a least an inch off my butt. Sounds petty and very easy, but it’s not when I eat like shit. I have a wardrobe of different size clothes big and small.
So I will Keep a food diary put down everything that passes my lips no excuses and exercise diary to get more bang for my buck stop chatting in the gym and train. Eat only unprocessed foods No chocolate, oh I do love m & m’s and musk lifesavers. 5 small meals a day and NO alcohol. Drink heaps of water. Be organised with my food no takeaways. TL
Hi Dianned1.
Procrastinate no more!!
I’ll be cheering you on…
( )
Aaaaaw Amanda… you’re too nice.
( )
Hi tlee.
Future Husband huh?
I’ll dust off my tux.
And get some therapy for my commitment issues.
Stop eating shit… and I’ll be cheering you on.
Send us some photos of you in competition… I need to know who I’m marrying.
Peace TL.
Andy
Thanks Craig
Ok i’m in! Goals are
1. Get up at 5.40am (and I will not hit the snooze button as I am driving my husband crazy not getting up straight away!) Mon-Fri and exercise either spin class or weights at home before breakfast (until 21st then 6am for next 10 days as camping at Byron for school holidays so I will walk for an hour on beach before breakfast!)
2. No ice cream
Why this time will be different is that this process will keep me accountable. I am choosing not to tell family or friends as this often has the reverse effect for me. I am trying small steps as I often try and do to much and fall of the wagon within days!
Thanks for the challenge..
Andy
Hi Craig this is my submission for the GYST Challenge.
For me the next 28 days is about finding passion, acceptance and happiness
within myself. It will be about discarding the middle age frump that has lost her passion in the blur of marriage, kids, and working mostly nights. I WANT TO FEEL ALIVE AGAIN. My goals will be 1. Loose 5kgs. 2. Go to yoga every Friday. 2. Go for a walk along the strand once a week.
3. Prepare clean nutritional food that will provide my body with fuel. A chocolate twice a week for my soul is a must.
4. Take time to respond with love towards others not anger.
5. Get my house organised.
It will be different this time as I have the support and energy from all the others who are also on the same mission, I am ready within myself to give this my best shot and I love your articles they provide great motivation. Plus plan to break my large goals into little steps.
Thanks
Charmaine Connolly
Townsville
Craig, this is my submission
I’d written to you in July about the changes that I was starting to make in my life. I have been keeping up to those changes since then, and now is the time to take myself to that “next level.”
I’m currently walking an average of 4km a day now, and my goal is to ramp that up to 8km a day in the 4 weeks, 1km per week. A secondary goal to that is to improve the time that I take to make the walk. I’m currently doing the 4km in around an hour, and the goal is to make the full 8km in 90 minutes by the end of the challenge.
Also, I’m going to be more aware of what I am eating and changing my habits to eat healthier and to eat less in general, along with a goal of drinking 3-4L of water a day.
I look forward to making the most of this first challenge, and to keep it up as we go further into the fall and winter here in the Northern Hemisphere.
Thanks,
Sephyroth
USA
Hi Andy.
No ice-cream… you must be serious!
Good luck and have some fun.
Hi Charmaine.
“It will be about discarding the middle age frump that has lost her passion in the blur of marriage, kids, and working mostly nights.”
Frump… harsh!
I’ll be cheering you on.
Hey Sephyroth..
An American who understands km’s.
Cool.
Sounds like you’re on track man… keep it up and let me know how you go with the 8 in 90..
Peace.
OK, have bit the bullet and decided to throw myself in here last minute (I was planning on starting today anyway, but by myself I probably would have lasted 3days)
I have a rather large list of goals, but I think I will just stick with the main one and hopefully the others will more easily slip into line after that.(which translates to, I think I will struggle doing one, let alone more than that)
My goal is to get back into a good exercise routine and get unfat. It has been done before, but with the motivation of a dust bunny..I have struggled to get it back.
1. Drink more water
2. Ride my ugly new ladies bike 5 days a week, increasing in distance and not to cop out if its raining, use the treadmill instead.
3. A weights season at least 4 times a week.
The biggest one of all would be not to listen to myself..I speak shit..”Oh, it will be OK to skip today, I’ll do it tomorrow”..I am a liar!
Thanks Craig
Good Luck everyone else!
I’m in too.
For too long I have put myself last and I have turned into a ‘frump’ (hi Charmaine) and a dead weight in the famiy. Lately I have come to realise that I need to be equal with the other family members. Apart from helping me with my self esteem, energy etc, I think it will benefit the family to have a whole and healthy mum as part of it.
These 28 days are about developing and maintaining a new attitude and learning to live as I used to. Specifically, I will menu plan for the week and live by it, I will replace my holey shoes, I will buy some much needed new jeans and I will get that haircut. I will keep telling myself that I am entitled to do this and that no one else will be missing out because of it.
Hi Craig:
My goal is to lose at least 6 pounds. I put on 15 pounds in the last few months. All of my clothes are ridiculously too tight… It seems I can’t stop eating AND can’t start exercising: Bad combination! I am recovering from depression and my energy level is not as high as it should be. Bad habits sure doesn’t help maintaining a good energy level – and I caught a lot of bad habits while being sick.
I am willing to make the necessary efforts to get my energy back by losing weight but without starving and exhausting myself. This time will be different because I am also beginning the ‘No-diet diet’ that also takes about 28 days to finish. I definitely intend to have fun achieving my goal!
My weight is now 178 and I would like to lose 1.5 pounds per week. I should weigh MAX 172 pounds at the end of this challenge.
Thank you for doing this, Craig.
Me again Craig. I just thougt of something: I hope you will take into consideration that it’s still Sept. 2nd here, in Canada… ; – ) I sure hope I can still join you for this challenge!!!!
Hey there Craig!
Just in under the wire from Canada. My goals for the next month are pretty much all about consistency…
a) Consistently wake up at 5 AM every morning (I do this many mornings but I’d rather do it entirely for one month).
b) Consistently eat relatively healthy for the month of September, with a one day “break” (not a gorge, but a break) each week.
c) Consistently hit the gym to get proper exercise.
d) Consistently be the best person I can be to my wife, my family, and my friends.
e) Most importantly (for me) to give my thanks to God each day and spend some quality time with Him in study and prayer.
Thanks for doing this – everyone needs a kickstart now and then…this one will be mine.
Greetings grasshopper checking in from the inn
Here’s my entry http://fishcreekhouse.blogspot.com/2007/06/keep-your-eye-on-prize.html
Dont let the biblical passage scare ya
grassh. in montana