“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” — Fitness instructor Fred DeVito
I came across this quote once, and it got me thinking: Am I even improving myself if I’m not challenging myself? In typical 3 AM-inspiration fashion, though, I had only thought about it and didn’t necessarily act on it; still, the message stuck with me.
Think about it: getting 1% better at something every day for a year doesn’t add up to 365%—it adds up to 3,778% (I did the math: 1.01 to the 365th power, if you’re interested).
So, what if we actually acted upon that idea? Of course, it’s a little abstract, but challenging yourself doesn’t mean trying to get 3,778% better in one day; rather, it means taking little steps that will eventually add up to massive improvement.
With that in mind, here are a few ways to challenge yourself this year to actually grow (and not just think about it).
1. Be more mindful.
When you think about improving yourself, you might think about fitness gains in the gym. Mental fitness gains, though, are just as important as physical ones. Instead of spending your days doomscrolling on your phone, try devoting as little as a few minutes to mindfulness every day.
And, there’s good news: there are a variety of techniques you can use to practice mindfulness.
- Practice deep breathing exercises
- Take a few moments to reflect on your day
- Connect with nature and get outside
- Journal your thoughts and feelings
- Practice meditation
2. Say yes to something that scares you (just a little).
This doesn’t mean skydiving or bungee jumping off a bridge. It means jumping over your fears: take that challenging class that excites you. Apply to the reach schools on your college list. Speak up in class even when your heart’s pounding (it’s okay to get an answer wrong!).
These small acts of courage will build up confidence over time. You’ll start to realize that while your comfort zone offers safety, it can also quietly hold you back from discovering what you're truly capable of.
3. Set a goal you can’t fake your way through.
This means setting a concrete and achievable goal that challenges you. It doesn’t have to be something outrageous, because you could lose your drive if it is. Goal-setting varies from person to person, but it could mean reading a full book every month, running a 5K, or getting straight As for the semester.
Make sure to hold yourself accountable. Even better, ask a friend to help; maintaining similar goals can help you motivate each other as you go through the process together.
4. Cut a habit that’s holding you back.
Whether you have the habit of scrolling through social media before bed, procrastinating on your assignments, or cramming for tests, challenge yourself to cut that habit out of your life.
Take some time to observe and identify that pesky habit you have and what triggers it. Then, take the time to—slowly, but surely—cut back on it bit by bit.
For example, if you scroll for too long before bed, reduce your screen time by just a few minutes each day. Track your screen time and ask friends or family to hold you accountable. You may not notice a difference right away, but the strongest habits take time to build. Over time, you’ll notice that you’re scrolling a lot less.
5. Pick up (and stick with) a new skill.
Pick something you’ve always been curious about. Do you want to learn how to cook? Play the guitar? Code? Commit to learning it just a bit each day.
Schoolhouse is here for you, too! The Enrichment subworld is home to hundreds of different series that can help you pick up those new skills.
But remember: you don’t have to master it. The point is to challenge yourself and stretch your brain in a different direction. That’s how you get out of your comfort zone.
Takeaways
By pushing yourself just a bit each day, you can become the best version of yourself—so challenge yourself to do just that. Challenging yourself doesn’t mean being perfect, but that was never the point. It means being more brave, more mindful, and more willing to step out of your comfort zone.
You might be surprised where you end up by day 365.
Thank you to Hanna M. for editing this article!