I gave myself permission this year to start on a 100-day project early. In January I sat down and mapped it all out using a planner and made it official by writing everything down in black ink to really set my ideas in stone so to speak. Just doing that officially set everything in motion. I picked filming art classes as my challenge, and I also decided to do more than one project. There are 365 days in a year not just 100. I thought I could get so much done if I did more but just focused on one project at a time and put in the work for that block of time. Then take a little break and begin working on another project. I have time to think about what else I would like to get done before this project ends and the next one begins.
With all these plans you would think that I picked the word productivity as a theme for the year but it’s not. I just really like to stay busy! Last year my word was change and the book the artist way by Julia Cameron sparked a fire in me that produced so many changes. I made space in my life for that book and the book gave back to me by giving permission to explore. Those exercises lead me to a healthier life in every way.
Other plans that I have for the year include working through the book the artist way as well as the rest of Julies books. As soon as I started reading the first book I went and purchased all the rest of her books to commit to the process. I am still currently working through the artist way, although I am on a break right now. Reading the book and working the exercises puts anyone who is or wants to be creative through an amazing adventure. It is helpful to work through the material with a study buddy. You can meet once a week to talk about your experience with that chapter and bounce ideas off one another. I have been working through it with my friend Jessica.
If you feel inspired to do your own 100-day project I have some tips for you. You can do practically anything as a challenge! The idea behind it is for you to choose a creative project and do it every single day for 100 days. You can paint, draw, dance, knit, doodle, sing, or even brush your teeth. Those are fun examples they suggest on The100DayProject website. You can also write a book by doing a chapter a or a page day, learn to play guitar, or whatever you can think of. Pick something you want to learn, accomplish, or even something just to have fun.
There is still time for you to pick something to do for yourself and participate alongside other creative people. The 100-day project starts February 13th. If you happen to read this after it begins, it is never too late to explore something in the form of a challenge. You can pick any time frame to complete it, journal your experience with it, take photos along the way to document all the fun you’re having, and share it with your circle of friends. If you want, you can even share your process and thoughts on social media using the hashtag #The100DayProject.
Here’s to productive days that are fun!
Cathy