Do You Like A Challenge?

I have a tendency to feel stagnant periodically - in my jobs, in my hobbies, in my daily routine, etc.  The only thing I don't seem to grow tired of is the relationships in my life (thankfully!) 

Because of my continual boredom, I enjoy a challenge.  The best challenges are usually the ones I create for myself.  Or they could be goals that I want to reach.

Lately, I strive to set a goal for myself every day (taking one day off per week to be a vegetable).  A simple task like going to the grocery store without aggravation or a tantrum is an example of a past daily goal of mine.  A weekly goal might be eating vegan meals for two days and exercising six days out of the week.  A monthly goal might be to lose four pounds and find five outdoor activities for Viv and me to do. 

These challenges or goals aren't rocket science.  Still, my need to feel like I can succeed is fulfilled when I look at my calendar and have something written out each day, even if it's just an optional activity.  Having a goal or challenge gives me a greater sense of purpose.  Since I'm not working outside the home, I feel better crossing off things I do from a list.  It also gives me something to talk about at the end of my day, besides what silly things Vivian has said or done or how many diapers I've changed.  After all, I don't live for that kind of stuff. 

Truthfully, I just don't want to be lazy.  That can happen when I'm eighty or ninety years old. 

I don't want to sit idle.  Although after yesterday, I probably should. 

On Monday I had over a dozen things on my to do list.  I wondered if I could get them all done.  But that is when Super Mandy kicked in.  Somehow she steps in when I can't hardly go on, with her eigth grade style permed hair and her cackling, wicked laugh. 

Together (with Super Mandy's help) I paced myself and got everything done.  From 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a few breaks in between, I managed to complete the following:

• vacuumed five out of seven rooms in our house
• made a chicken salad recipe (boiled chicken, sliced chicken and prepared the rest of the fixin's)
• made tea
• returned library books
• made an impromtu stop at the pet store so Vivian could run around looking at fish, birds, hamsters and cats
• played in the back yard with Viv
• pooper scooped our backyard and cleaned the cat's litter box
• mopped the kitchen and bathroom floors
• cleaned tables
• did the prep work for a potatoes au gratin dish
• spoke to my neighbor about an event I'm hosting the next day, informing him that more cars will be on the street than usual
• read a dozen books to Vivian
• jogged three miles on the treadmill
• prepared dinner
• gave Vivian a bath
• prepared lunches for next day

Normally I don't plan to do that much in one day, even though many of the list items didn't take very long.   But I hosted a social event at my home earlier today that required many of those cleaning to do's.  (The event went great by the way). 

I had written out those tasks on paper (with some in my head) and I managed to complete all of them.  That is a good feeling.   A sheet of paper filled with lines, instead of words barking at you, can often be a wonderful thing. 

Daily household chore lists can get old.  They can make me feel stagnant too.  So earlier this year, I began thinking a little bigger.  I wanted more difficult challenges that I would have to train for, work toward.  And I've decided to come up with a new goal for each month in 2010.  Something that can't be done in one day or as part of my daily routine.  I want a challenge that I can sweat over and cherish at the same time.

My challenge for March is to complete a 5K race.  I have talked about this before.  I even had it listed as part of my New Year's Resolutions.  Finally, I took action over the weekend.  I signed up for a race that is scheduled for March 20th here in Pensacola.  My dad and possibly Kirk are going to join me on this journey. 

This will be my first race, ever.  I'm nervous and excited over it.  For some reason, I just want to do it.   I want that t-shirt.  I want to taste that cold beer after completing my 3.1 miles. 

I'm not a runner at heart.  I don't really enjoy it nor do I receive that runner's high.  I will probably never do anything longer than a 5K.  I don't have that desire.  But there is something to be said for completing a race.  It takes determination.  It takes proper breathing.  It takes will power and the ability to push forward.   

I've been practicing for a few months and I am finally jogging three miles almost daily.  I don't know if will be able to jog the entire race.  I don't know what the weather conditions will be.  The path might be hillier and more difficult than what I'm used to doing.  I may have to walk parts of it or even 1/3 of it.  I'm okay with that though.  I just want to complete it and cross the finish line.  I want that feeling, that moment.  And I intend to have it. 

I'm brainstorming now for April's challenge too.  Since March is more of a selfish challenge for me, I thought April should perhaps do something good for my family as well.  My first thought is to organize my photo albums and the thousands of loose pictures that I have stashed away in a closet right now.  This would make Kirk so very happy since he refers to me as clutter queen or pat rack on various occasions. 

Tis' true, I admit it.  I have junk drawers, junk closets and just junk that I never seem to get to or sort through.  Well April is the time to declutter.  Spring cleaning is almost here.  I'm prepared to wow myself with untapped organizational skills.  I also desparately need to organize my recipe collection and cookbooks.  Stay tuned to see if decluttering is the next challenge I undertake.

I'd like to come up with something that would help others as well.  A task that could inspire and make a small difference.  Any ideas?

Do you like to challenge yourself?  Do you set goals, small or big, on a regular basis? 

What gives you a greater sense of purpose to help you get through the mundane?   Do you have any ideas for what I can do in May, June or July?  I want to know!  Post your thoughts and ideas.  Share your experiences in the comments section.   Come on now..... off your lazy butt and start typing.  I expect to hear great things from you.

Also, get out there and set a goal for yourself. Don't be a slacker! :-)