Today is the beginning of the 100 words for 100 days challenge and you absolutely MUST be signed up by the end of today if you want to participate. Here’s the link to the post with details and the sign up form, and here’s a link to go straight to the form if you already know the details but just haven’t signed up yet.
I recently read a book called Finish by Jon Acuff that I really enjoyed and found very helpful. The book—as well as his interview on Jen Hatmaker’s podcast, which you can read here—really helped to identify a few issues I have with completing goals but didn’t yet have language for. Especially around the issue of perfectionism.
I’ve tried the 100-for-100 challenge almost every time we’ve hosted, and I’ve never actually completed it. With thoughts from Finish fresh in my mind, I’ve identified three stumbling blocks I’ve encountered during the challenge. I’m hopeful that having a plan to deal with these will help me to be a finisher this time. (Also, while I’m talking about the 100-for-100 challenge today, these can obviously apply to any goals.)
Acknowledging “the day after perfect” is going to come
“The day after perfect separates the starters from the finishers.”
Jon Acuff, Finish
One of the issues I have is that I want to do the challenge perfectly. I want to write at least 100 words a day, every day, for 100 days. Yeah, I know the rules say you can have a week off. And I know you can take a day off each week and still complete the challenge.
But I want to do my 100 words perfectly from today through August 27th.
I’ve never given myself space to think about what to do on the day after I don’t do the challenge perfectly. I need to because on that day I’m always like, “Well, there went that dream of perfectly executing the challenge. Guess I’m out.”
But this year I’m armed and ready. This summer when I miss a day, I’ll instead tell myself, “I thought this would happen, since it has every other time. Good thing I have those grace days built into the challenge, and that I already decided it would be fine if I missed a day. I’ll write my 100 words now while I’m thinking about it.”
Make it fun.
“Make it fun if you want it done.”
Jon Acuff, Finish
One of the things I’ve been learning over the last couple years is that as my own boss, I’m in charge of morale around here. It’s not my agent’s job to keep me motivated, nor is my editor responsible for making sure I’m progressing on my book. If I’m not watching out for my work/life balance, nobody is.
I used to think that because I loved writing, I didn’t really need any of those rewards I heard writers talking about. Rewards like after hitting 1k, they ate a gummy bear. I’m a professional, thank you very much. I don’t need gummy bears to hit my word count.
But here’s the thing. Maybe I don’t need the reward to get the work done. Maybe, yeah, I could write my thousand words fine without a gummy bear. But what if having the gummy bear makes it more enjoyable for me (and why wouldn’t it?), and what if because I enjoy it even more, I actually work on my goal even more?
Jon Acuff talks about the research that concludes people are more likely to finish their goals if their goal is something fun. In a way that seems obvious, but yet I’m so guilty of minimizing the importance of fun in my life. I’m all about productivity and efficiency, but my focus on “fun” could use some work.
One thing I did for this challenge that I haven’t before is I set a recurring “Write 100 words” task on my to-do list app. I love checking stuff off a list. Making sure it’s on there every day for me to check off is motivating and fun.
(I probably also need a gummy bear too, don’t you think?)
Break those secret rules.
Jon Acuff talks about “secret rules” as being lies we tell ourselves that we don’t realize are lies. They can also be called limiting beliefs.
For the purposes of the 100-for-100, I like the term secret rules, because I’ve started to notice how I’ve taken the rules of the challenge—rules I created, no less—and added additional rules that I apply only to me.
Like, “The words only count if they’re on my computer.”
Um, that’s not true. That’s not what I tell you guys, certainly. That’s not what I would tell anybody, but it’s what I tell me. I can’t just write 100 words on a scrap of paper and call it good for the day. That’s cheating!
Another one I’ve noticed that I tell myself is, “The words only count if they’re story words.” Which is also the exact opposite of what I tell you guys. Yes, character building counts. Yes, brainstorming and world building count. And then I secretly tell myself, Except for you. Your words have to be written on the story itself.
Such a strange form of self-sabotage.
I’m walking into the challenge this year ready to have fun, embrace imperfection, and give myself grace.
Do you identify with any of these battles? Are there other ways you’ve found to finish the things you want to finish?
I just added “write at least 100 words” as a daily task in Todoist too! And this year, my daughter and I are doing it together, so I think that will be SUPER fun.
Love the idea of prioritizing the fun of this thing we love to do. Definitely should help with motivation.
I’m super-competitive–mostly with myself–so having goals to meet (and smash) can be very motivating…until, as you say, I miss one. Then it’s really easy to say, “Well, I lost.” But when you’re only competing against yourself, that’s just silly.
Can’t wait to join in the fun of the challenge!
McKenna is writing with me too! There are quite a few parent/kid combos that I’ve heard are doing the challenge. So fun!
Yeah, it’s great to be self-motivated. That’s why you’ve written as many books as you have at this stage of life. BUT you also have to be aware enough to identify when that mentality isn’t serving you well anymore. (Like when I make myself walk away from the challenge after missing a day, instead of treating myself with with grace.)
I am participating in the 100-for-100, but just for myself. I know if I sign up, I’ll get a shoutout if I finish. I don’t want that shoutout. This is about testing my writing willpower and proving my self-worth.
This post is really good, and I’ll keep referencing it when I hit writer’s block or just don’t want to put the words on the page.
We will very quietly and privately celebrate you on Day 100 🙂
I’m so excited for the challenge! Me and a friend plan to participate together this year! ❤️
Great post! I definetly identify with one and two. Funny, I also added 100 for 100 on my daily to-do list.?
Oh, good! I’m so glad you’re joining us.
Ha, I can so relate to this post! Especially the gummy bears. :p I thought I was too ‘tough’ to need the reward. Now I try to celebrate even the teeniest victories. Enjoyment during the journey beats tough image any day.
Like, why would I not want more celebration in my life?? It just makes no sense!
I feel like you jumped into my mind and said all the things I’ve been think about the challenge! This will be my first participating and I’ve already put those same “secret rules” on myself. This post has reminded me to have fun and be kinder to myself.
Thank you!
Ellie, I’m so glad! Yes, be kind to you and enjoy the challenge! Eat all the gummy bears 🙂
I love these thoughts! Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure!
The strange ways we self-sabotage ourselves really clicked with me. I know that sometimes I pull myself to the side and tell myself that “they say it’s natural and necessary for there to be many many drafts in the writing process, but mine NEEDS to be perfect at the very first attempt, or i’m no good at writing.” —and I know when I bring this into the light, it’s totally ridiculous, yet I still sabotage myself. Writing insecurities can take crazy forms lol.
Thank you so much for keeping us motivated about the first day! I can’t wait to get started. 🙂
YES. Isn’t it so bizarre??? Why are we so hostile to ourselves at times?
I’m SO glad you recognize that for the lie it is, because it’s 100% a lie. Multiple drafts are just a fact of the writing life.
Yes, it is so bizarre!! I never can understand why I do that to myself—I just fall into that habit without even noticing sometimes.
I am so thankful for that and all your help with our writing. Maybe it’ll encourage you, but when you hosted the 100-for-100 contest, the feedback helped me so much. I can honestly say that i am already improving and practicing using those tips whenever I write. Thanks so much for that, Mrs. Morill! 😉
So excited for this challenge. I feel like I probably would have fallen victim to some of the issues discussed in this post, like secret rules or the day after perfect thing. I’ll be sure to be vigilant against those pitfalls.
Good luck everyone!
Also tip for anyone writing out your words by hand: switch writing utensil colors each day so you can tell what you wrote that day as opposed to yesterday and have an easier time counting it all up.
Thank you so much for your tip! I’m doing a little of both and I never thought about changing the colors each day, but that really helped me! Thanks again 🙂
🙂
Just finished my first day’s words! My usual “secret rule” is that I have to write way more than 100 words each day, and then I end up avoiding it because I feel too tired to write 500 words or whatever bigger goal I’ve set for myself. Today I wrote 137 words on the outline I haven’t touched in a week, and I’m letting that be enough for today.
Just remember, Maya, that this challenge is to motivate us to do what we can. And if you do what you can\want for that day, just leave it to that! And I’m so happy that you’ve made progress! Today was a really good day for me, and I feel like I’m finally getting a handle on my story, and no matter how may words above 100, that is enough for me! Anyway, I just wanted to encourage you a little. 🙂
I forgot to sign up for the challenge :/ so I’m really sad about that. But I’ll still try to get 100 words in! Every day is hard due to school and less motivation (the motivation would have come from the challenge) but I’ll try for most days or at least once a week!
That’s great that you’re still doing the challenge, Leanna! I could add you to the email list if you would like? Let me know! Stephanie(at)StephanieMorrill.com