Everyone thinks of changing the world, but so few think of changing themselves first.
How disappointed would you be to get to the end of your life and discover that you were made to be great while all you did was wait around?
It’s time to get present, challenge yourself, and change things for the better!
Will you be able to change everything? No. In fact there may be lots of things you want to change that can’t be changed. But YOU can still change!
Even when you are no longer able to change a situation, you are challenged to change yourself. And that makes all the difference in the world.
NOTE: The body of this post was recently updated an moved to here:
30 Daily Challenges to Improve Your Mental Strength (and Happiness)
Photo by: Darrel Larson
Kim says
🙂
Marc Chernoff says
Kim, I’m glad we were able to help you in some small way. Keep working at #3 — we’re all works in progress.
Brogan James says
Challenge accepted. Number 5 is the one I’m starting off with. Thank you for this positive kick in the pants.
Christian says
🙂
Gail says
Christian, I made the scarier choice 37 years ago when I had to decide between two different graduate schools. I’m still proud of doing that, and it was a pivotal moment in my life. Hope this works out for you!
Marc Chernoff says
Thank you for sharing that, Gail. And congrats!
N says
“When you don’t like someone, challenge yourself to identify an insecurity within yourself that they are triggering.”
This one’s the best !! I will definitely work on this. Thanks guy for being so awesome 🙂 <3
Susan says
Thank you for this challenge; number 20 really resonates with me and is where I will begin.
I so appreciate your blog and look forward to each new post!
Catherine says
#14. That’s my challenge for today!
Eva says
Starting with number 1 🙂
Thank you for this! <3
Stephanie says
I’ll accept the challenge. My life has taken a huge turn I was not expecting and your words and wisdom are helping me greatly. I will start with with #3 and will move to #20 next. Thank you again.
Doodlebug says
Wow. This post is a wonderful summary of this year’s work. Thank you. My challenge is number 26. The little devil on my shoulder can still cause mischief. To remind me that I AM a good person I have just today taken delivery of a poster which says “Do all the good you can in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every way you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can”.
Jackie cookson says
My challenge is them all – I am in the process of change and it sure feels scary ?
Jen says
When a new day begins, challenge yourself to smile genuinely and gratefully.
Marc Chernoff says
I love that poster’s quote, Doodlebug. Thank you for sharing it.
Loralee says
I’m going to try challenge #27. I believe this will help with my stress level.
Thank you for all your emails!
Bich says
Challenge accepted. I’m starting with #5.
Devaveena Dey says
A sincere ‘Thank you’ for putting together these gems of wisdom! I know I will pick up 1 gem every day, and live by that. What a fantastic way of ending a year and starting a new one! Your blog has been a blessing for me. Thanks for your work!
Gail says
All of these are wonderful, but 12 and 14 really jumped out at me. So, I’m going to finally get a large task I’m dreading DONE and I’m going to do it with “enthusiasm and devotion”! And then I’ll move on to another one of these inspiring suggestions. Thank you.
Czawanda says
I really like challenge #7 hope. Thanks a lot for the wonderful emails!
Jennifer says
My life has been flipped upside down. Starting fresh with two kids, I will use this as a guidance to not only move on but to persevere in my new journey and make not only my life but my kids life the most loving and nurturing place that they will thrive and continue to grow into the wonderful little souls they are.
Andy says
Thank you for the wonderful reminders and challenges when I needed to hear it most!
I appreciate both of you with your excellent and timely words.
Thank you so much!
Samantha Thomas says
This is awesome! I totally accept this challenge. I will be starting with #30. Thank you….
Teresa says
They are all very good things to do but I will start with #5 — I need to learn to respond positively and not in anger and frustration. Then # 14 There are things I put off and make excuses not to get done I will think about why I need to get them done and do them. There are certain things in my past which I keep trying to fix, I am going to put # 20 into use and build something new instead. #26 I will work on being the bigger person when people treat me poorly by responding with respect and being nice. Then there is # 27 Inner peace, I need that,and I will begin to practice not allowing someone else to control my emotions.I think if I can master these things on a daily basis in my life , my life will become richer and more enjoyable. I can’t wait to get started and I thank you both so very much for the challenge .
Lily says
I really appreciate all of these challenges, as they will surely strengthen me over time.
Paige says
Number 5, 19 and 26 -hi the nail on the head and its exactly what I needed at this momment, today. Thank you.
Sandra says
🙂
Erik says
Hey you guys, M&A… I just love you guys many blessings and keep the good stuff coming. I would say 1-30 are all wonderful but what really speaks to me in my present situation is 27 I can’t convey how that simple statement gave me such a clear view of how to review the sight of whatever may be in view. Awesome sauce!
Atul kumar says
One of the best articles I’ve read recently. Great ideas for getting to know yourself more and respond to different aspects of life… and be ready for everyday challenges that life gives. Thanks for these reminders.
Alanda says
I always feel inspired reading your words. I’m starting with number 1 and working my way through. Printed, on the wall. Thanks guys-uplifting and gritty a great combination.
sanduni says
I challenge myself with #10
Thank you so much.
Prashanti says
Challenge accepted !!! This is awesome !! Too many good things but let me start with #5
simphiwe says
#14… if I can fix that problem I think I can be a better person.
Carlyle Adams says
I will be working on #27, as I have to deal with a lot of turn around thinking with regards to when I start with a new client buy-in.
Alicia says
We suffer when we are wanting love – so stop wanting love, and start giving love. If there’s something that’s bothering you about your relationships – look at yourself.
“When you catch yourself thinking the grass is greener elsewhere, challenge yourself to water the grass you’re standing on.”
Instead of assuming it will be better with someone else, in a different job, with a new car – take a moment to ask yourself why are you unhappy in the first place – then give love to the answer. GIVE LOVE to what you have, because even if you get something new, you might end up wanting something else down the road again.
LOVE THIS. Challenge accepted.
Gina says
I love this list and have printed it out to refer to when I lose my focus. Thank you so much! I’m going to start with 4, 5 and 6:
“When you catch yourself thinking the grass is greener elsewhere, challenge yourself to water the grass you’re standing on.”
“When you absolutely can’t control what’s happening to you, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening – in your response is your power.”
“When it seems like problems are stacking up, challenge yourself to face these problems positively.”
Cristy says
It’s funny as I read this.. I know all this I lived it for many years after a deep depression..I found a therapist who didn’t believe meds were the answer.. And we were going to retrain my brain.. I did everything she told me to do.. I finally had peace and serenity in a long life of ups and downs.. My childhood was a scary place and it came with me everywhere I went.. When I was 27 I ate a lot of pills woke up alive.. Then what I had done sunk in.. Spent a few weeks away I realized I wasn’t crazy that’s the good I took out of it and I changed my life.. I am now 37.. I moved to a big city 2 years ago and I feel the negativity has seeped back in!! And it’s scary I am glad I came across this tonight!!! It’s giving me hope and reminding me of what I have and can overcome thank you so much guys
Jessica says
What a wonderful post-challenge accepted. Each point on this list strikes a chord with me. I am always eager to grow and to become a better me.
tingus says
No 26 and 27 is my challenge today. I will do my best to keep it. I live with people that always treat me poorly and makes me feel negative about my self.
teddy says
Wow thank you for the reminder, well for me ll just start from the first to the last but more importantly the first because I tend to forget that blessings are new every morning
Joe Ezell says
Marc & Angel,
I’m a Customer Service Supervisor. Every Monday I send my team of 16 employees what I call the “Monday Motivator.” Next week, the final week of 2015, I will include a copy of the blog post (and a link back). I’m hoping it will encourage my team to set goals and resolutions like the 30 Challenges.
Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!
Joe
Lisa says
I am not sure where to start,, i have been thru so much and with all the heart breaks in my life i have built up so much anger,, I have questions that i ask myself, why?, what did i do wrong?, can i change?, did i deserve this?. Is there life after heart break after heart break after heart break? why do i keep doing this to myself? when can i see the light again? why is my life so dark?. will i ever find that one special person?.. I have so much love to give to the right person, I almost will make myself so mad at myself that i no longer want to keep going… I have a lot to offer and it seems like its never enough. what to do, where do i start over again? can i start to breath without getting my air shut off again. sigh dont have a clue
Hong says
You’re amazing. Thank you very much!
Chelsea says
🙂