#31DayReset Day 10: Do One Thing

This post is Day 10 of the 31 Days to Reset Your Life Challenge for 2011. Learn more and sign up for the program here.

After creating a life map yesterday, now it’s time to take some action on those goals! It’s nice to take time to be dreamy and in your head (and we will do even more of that in the upcoming days of the challenge), but for you to really get reconnected to your dreams, you will need to start putting some real stuff out there in the universe. Like right now.

Today, you will do one thing to move yourself closer to your ideal life. We will be embarking on some more in-depth action planning later this month, but today’s exercise is meant to begin building some initial momentum for your journey.

Estimated Time to Complete: Varies

Today’s exercise is NOT related to your everyday to-do list. You are being asked to complete one task that is personally significant to you and your ideal life. This task should help you get started on a specific goal you’ve identified during the challenge, either from your life map or your personal mission statement. Your “one thing” should meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Something you’ve been procrastinating on
  • Something that terrifies you
  • Something that inspires you

The main requirement for this exercise is that the action you take must be tangible and measurable. Basically, if I were there with you looking over your shoulder, I would be able to see clearly with my own eyes that the task was completed.

Some examples to jog your imagination:

  • You want to have better relationships with your family. Call that aunt you haven’t spoken to for three years. Buy a plane ticket to visit your brother.
  • You want to go back to school. Research some programs online and call or email to request information packets from the ones you like the best.
  • You want to own your own home. Sign up for a homeownership class or buy a book about how to begin the process.
  • You want to be healthier. Throw out all the junk food from your cabinets. Then go grocery shopping today and only buy healthy foods. Or sign up for a gym membership.
  • You want to save money. Open up a savings account. You can do that online now with most banks from your computer or phone. Then set up a recurring direct deposit from your checking account.
  • You want to improve your credit. Obtain your current credit report. If you haven’t done it yet this year, you can get one free here.
  • You want to start your own business. Complete the necessary forms and register your business name with your state.
  • You want to find a romantic partner. Approach someone you like or find attractive and ask for their phone number. Or sign up for an online dating service.
The possibilities are endless! Whatever you do, make the task specific and only focus on that one thing for today. I know you’re busy. But no matter how busy you are, you can always do at least one thing every day to move yourself closer to living the life of your dreams. And really, isn’t life too short not to?

Take Action and Reflect: When you’re done, tell us about what you did in the comments! Also let us know if any immediate results have occurred, either with an outcome or simply a change in your frame of mind.  How did completing this exercise make you feel? If you blogged about today’s assignment, please post the link in the comments so we can read it!
Want more posts like this?
If so, subscribe below and join over 2,000 women who receive blog updates on personal development, entrepreneurship and lifestyle. As a bonus, you'll get a FREE COPY of my 13-page Life Mapping Workbook to help you design your ideal life in 7 key areas.

37 comments

  1. Pingback: When I Worry About Going Broke | Happy Black Woman | Helping Women Design Their Ideal Lives

  2. I did 2-3 things over the past couple of days. I wanted to started working out on a consistent basis. I hit the gym for the first time on Mon and I am going to work out again today. I want to improve my relationship with my 15 year old niece. She wants to be an attorney. I am a lawyer and have a decent amount of contacts in NYC. I sent an e-mail to my colleagues to find out what summer programs exist for high school students. I also wanted to practice Buddhism on a consistent basis. I went to my first meditation class yesterday. I chanted and meditated on my own today.

  3. I know I was suppose to do ONE thing but I end up doing TEN:

    * Called a distant relative
    * Developed my side hustle
    * Developed new concept of fashion blog
    * Researched online fashion programs
    * Hide current savings account to not have access to money
    * Started exercising
    * Surprise boyfriend with something special
    * Talked to best friend how I can be a better friend to her
    * Joined two Meetup groups
    * Starting to build fashion portfolio

    Completing these exercises let me see actions to my goals, which I have never actually done before. I feel so much better, like I am moving forward with alot of things I want for and in my life.

  5. I looked up information about the Master’s program I’ve been daydreaming about/terrified of for the past three years, and started making plans for more “one things” to do to help me get into it. (Then I was tempted to do them all in one day, but Rosetta’s admonishment to just focus on ONE thing really helped keep me on track. Hooray for baby steps!)

  6. I have been inconsistent with working out.
    Today will be my 3rd day this week that I am going to the gym, and it feels good.
    I am a little behind on the challenge but I am determined to complete it this time around. Some of the exercises definitely takes longer time than others and I don’t want to just rush and do it but actually take my time since this is my life I’m resetting. :) Thank you Rosetta for such an inspiring blog!
    Read my latest blog post…Day 8: Keep a Gratitude Journal

  7. I am at a transition point in my career. Switching into Non profits and International Development.
    I therefore have two goals at the moment.
    One being going for a masters : Making more intensive research for THE program for me
    and Two being getting a non profit job in one of my top 3 companies : USAID, WORLD VISION, UNWOMEN : Actively looking for opportunities in these companies.
    I also decided to make myself more visible on the Online scene ( Twitter, LinkedIn) because as Rosetta said : Invisible people do not get seen.

  9.  You want to have better relationships with your family.
    I called my mother and talked to her for a few minutes. I talked to one of my sisters for a few minutes and I reached out to one of my sisters that I don’t have a good relationship with. I sent a text to my brother just to say good morning.

     You want to go back to school.
    I have made the effort before today to research what I needed to do in order to further my education. I have written out my outline of what I want to look into and what I need to do get done in order to continue my education.

     You want to own your own home.
    I started the process a month ago in regards to owning my dream home.

     You want to be healthier.
    I have stopped buying junk food that is not healthy and made with real fruit and vegetables. I have made a conscious decision to stop eating fried food and to eat more baked and broiled foods and more fruits and vegetables.

     You want to save money.
    I completed an application for account.

     You want to improve your credit.
    I recently filed chapter 13 so I have copies of all three of my credit reports and taking the necessary actions to not acquire any new debt.

     You want to start your own business.
    My forms have been completed, my name has been filed, and I have applied for my tax ID information

     You want to find a romantic partner.
    I’m married

  10. I have already started to apply for jobs. I went on a job interview today that is related to the work I am seeking. It may only be temporary but it gets me exposed to the field and the the job I have now can be moved to part time. If I get the job, I will then have 2 incomes putting me in a much better financial position than I’m in now. I pray that I get the job.

    • I will be attending a volunteer orientation session for a women’s org in two weeks

      I did yoga this morning

      I told my mother about some of my short term and long term life goals

      :)

  12. I made some inquiries into a Chinese culture and language workshop starting this wk and plan to get a copy of Rosetta Stone to get started on some other languages.

  13. I’ve talked to a few people about going on a mission trip overseas, I will be talking to a program director this week. I’ve been putting this off for 3 years, now is the time!

  15. I actually unknowingly started my one thing earlier in the challenge.
    I started going to the gym everyday after work and I started researching LPN programs in my area.

    • Congrats on starting to workout and researching LPN programs!!! Stay encouraged!!

  16. Do One Thing/ 7 Day Hustle Challenge©

    Side Hustle #1~www.SELFMADEBITCH.com ©

    Born
    Intentionally
    To
    Constantly
    Hustle©

    A website to promote Female Artists, Female Athletes and Women
    Entrepreneurs /Hustlers
    Concept: Blog/Podcast/Radio Show

    Side Hustle #2/ My RESET Life Dedication Project~ Project S.O.S-Saving
    Our Sisters©

    Project S.O.S is an organization that offers information and services
    to women who have experienced hardship due to traumatic events such
    as….
    • Abuse
    • Sexual assault
    • Molestation
    • Domestic Violence
    • Financial hardship
    • Homelessness
    • Divorce
    • Discrimination/Hate Crimes
    • Health Issues-(Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Hiv/Aids, Heart
    Disease and Diabetes)
    • Mental Illness-(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder & Bi Polar Disorder)

    Objective: is to combine resources, team up with other organizations
    and women owned business to raise enough money to keep the
    organization going.

    Short Term Goals
    1. Raise $50 for Comcast High speed internet
    2. Raise $100 for Prepaid Unlimited Virgin Mobile Cell phone
    3. Get Logo design
    4. Purchase/get donated promotional items then add logo to promotional items
    5. Create an Estore to sale/gift promo items for donations from supporters
    6. To raise $13,760 which is the start up expenses of the organization
    7. To find women bloggers/investors that would like to do a JV

    Med Term Goals

    To raise enough money and get enough vendors to volunteer their
    services to throw a fundraising fashion show.

    Long Term Goals
    • To provide REALLY nice affordable housing for the women in the program.
    • To start a home ownership program teaching the buying process and the
    importance of home ownership to grow your net worth

    Weaknesses to overcome
    • Lack of funds
    • Bad at typing ( Typos is my middle name )
    • Lack of support
    Strengths
    • Tenacity
    • Time
    • Courage
    • Creative
    • The need/demand
    • Technology/Internet savvy
    • Have walked a mile in the same shoes of the women of Project S.O.S
    If you or anyone you know that would like to join the cause PLEASE!!!
    Contact me at Pink4BreastCancer@gmail.com follow the blog
    NewProjectSOS.blogspot.com
    Read my latest blog post…Personal Mantra and LifeSoundtrack

  17. Finally completed my application for an artist residency after hemming and hawing and procrastinating for a month. This is bringing me closer to my goal of making a living solely from being an artist.

    I also got a copy of my credit score. I’m not where I want to be but it’s still pretty good and it’s also good to know where I stand.

  18. I was a few days behind because of an extended vacation. But as I caught up, I decided that it was the perfect time to do something. I applied for jobs in New York City and I sent a pitch to a magazine I want to write for. The editor replied and loved my pitch. Although, I did more than one something, the one thing I did that meant the most at that moment worked out first.
    Read my latest blog post…Putting it out there

    • That’s great to hear that your pitch was accepted! It must be so gratifying to take action and get results like that.

  19. Pingback: 31 Days to Reset Your Life: Recap and Reflect | Happy Black Woman | Personal Development for Success in Life + Business

  20. I actually tried to do one thing, but then found that I couldn’t do it. I haven’t done my taxes from 2009 and the IRS is actually asking for it. I got everything together to do it and then found that I didn’t have all of my forms. But, I guess I get points for actually sitting down and trying to do it. So, my one thing for Monday will be to call the IRS and ask them to fax the forms to me. I’m gonna try to do ONE THING every day. Just ONE THING and I KNOW that my life will be much, much better.

  22. Pingback: Day 11: Find an Accountability Partner | queen1978

  25. hey guys so i didn’t get to publish my thoughts from yesterday because I was running around with my head cut off.. but it turns out i still did my assignment without evening knowing it today… i had decided yesterday that i would go visit my child’s therapist and talk to him without all the smokes and mirrors for a change and well i went today and he finally said i was open with him : )
    Read my latest blog post…Picking My Left Foot Up ~ Day 10

  26. Movie night with the kids. I know this sounds super easy but for me it’s not. I have a 3yr old son and a 13yr old daughter (both bdays are coming up) so they don’t like the same type of movies. My son usually wants to watch an animated movie, my daughter on the other hand wants to watch something that I would probably watch but not with her (Hangover, Bridesmaids). Suggestions are welcomed. :)

  29. This one is easy. One of my goals is to connect with people and make new friends. Well, tonight Im going to join a group in women in my area for a work out session. I’ve been following the group for a month or so, but haven’t participated. Mainly because of my work schedule, but also, the apprehension that comes with doing something new and meeting new people. Im taking a step toward a goal. I hope it turns out well.

Leave a Reply

Required fields are marked *.

*


CommentLuv badge