A Ten Year Self Improvement Challenge (From Swindon Advertiser)

A Ten Year Self Improvement Challenge

6:15pm Friday 12th March 2010

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By Pencils Down »

Although I have a somewhat slender frame, I do have a tendency to grow a pot belly during periods of excessive snacking and a lack of exercise.

However, the odd shape staring back at me from the mirror has never made me consider going on a diet. I don’t smoke, I have no phobias and I’m in a healthy relationship, so the self help section in the bookshop is one I tend to walk past.

But we all must admit that no matter how highly we think of ourselves, there are always elements, be it social, physical or emotional, that we’d like to improve.

I for one wish I was more proactive. Rather than merely thinking about doing things, I would love just to do them. So when I stumbled across the comedian Mark Watson’s blog several weeks ago, I think I found the proverbial kick up the backside I’ve been looking for.

As Mark turned 30 this year he set himself two large challenges, the first of which was starting a 10 year blog. By posting his musings on his website every single day he aims to produce a clear account of the years and events leading up to his 40th birthday.

And secondly, he has actively set out to live a more optimistic lifestyle. After recently becoming a father he was worried that his pessimistic view on life, which he actually argues has got him to where he is today, would be a negative influence for his newly born son.

But he didn’t stop there.

The welsh comic encouraged the readers of his blog to join him on his 10 year mission, challenging them to dig down deep to think of something they wish to improve about themselves by the 4th March. And as the first week of the Ten Year Self Improvement Challenge (TYSIC) has come to an end, over a hundred people have embraced the adventure.

Some dived straight in the deep end with grandiose plans such as aiming to get on to the comedy circuit or be a published author by the end of the decade, whereas some have dipped their toes in the water with plans to simply try food they don’t like. There have been some more bizarre efforts like the chap hunting down bees in the hope to keep them and some inspirational goals such as those with confidence issues just talking to a stranger.

I couldn’t wait to get started with the whole thing and quickly came up with five challenges. Here’s what I plan to chip away at over the next 10 years and the steps I’ve taken to work on them this week:

1) Write a book. Several TYSICers have the slightly more ambitious goal of getting published, but I’ve just always wanted to actually complete the writing process. Publication would be a delightful perk. So this week I’ve hunted down the rough ideas for a story I’ve scribbled down in various pads over the past few years, tidied them up and now I think I know where I’m going with it.

2) After being given the idea from my girlfriend, I’ve decided to send a letter once a week to someone I know, or would like to know. Emails and texts have taken over from the humble (and more personal) pen and paper method of communication and I feel it’s something that should be kept alive. My first letter however may quite possibly be the most ambitious one I shall send. I read somewhere that the England and Portsmouth Goalkeeper David James loves art and animation.

So I’ve sent Portsmouth Football Club a letter, headed “FAO David James” and politely asked him if he fancies doing the art work for a kid’s book I’m working on. I thought his fame may have some pull over some publishers and it has the added bonus of being a double TYSIC hitter, conquering goals one and two.

3) Smile more... I’ve smiled more.

4) Try to enjoy things I dislike. I think it’s easy to walk in to situations, pre-empting how awful they will be. Last week I began a new administration job and when I found out I had five days of training, I was immediately dreading the inevitable cheesy role play and ice breakers. I decided to go in on the first day, all smiles, jokes, friendly introductions and the willingness to take part (basically I set out to be the guy I’d usually go out of my way to avoid). Although initially difficult, I’ve actually met some nice people and my days have whizzed by.

5) And finally, I aim to hunt down new music and expand my collection, both in size and genre. This week’s find is Gil Scott Heron. I recommend “Ain’t No Such Thing as a Superman” for a funky smoothness, “I Think I’ll Call It Morning” for lyrical poetry and “When You Are Who You Are” for some splendid trumpeting.

A large number of people taking part in this ambitious project have set up blogs in order to record their success and failures as well as giving each other ideas, spur each other on and generally just share good vibes.

For anyone who cares, you can find mine at http://carlburkitt.blogspot.com/ but I do encourage you to take a glance at the blog section of www.markwatsonthecomedian.com.

Mark’s (new found) optimism is gorgeously engulfing, and the enthusiasm exhibited by his following is heart warming. If your mouth doesn’t curve upwards while reading at least one of the blogs or posts on offer, then maybe your first challenge should be my number three.