It's not often you'll find a business related post here on the blog, but when it comes to the Stretch Yourself Content Marketing Challenge I can't help but not post about it. The Stretch Yourself Challenge (SYC) is on it's 11th anniversary and I've participated every year except for maybe two or three at the most. So that right there should tell you something 😉
Why I'm Excited To Participate & Stretch
Anytime I step up and stretch outside my comfort zone there's a bit of ‘unease' because let's be honest, my comfort zone & I are besties and I like chillin in that box I've built that makes me feel so safe and comfortable.
Now, having said that it also gets pretty lonely and boring in that comfort zone. Staying there means I often find myself stuck in a rut, not moving my biz forward and sadly not putting more of what I want in the world out there!
And that's why I'm excited to participate – because it pulls me out of the rut, gets me excited and revived and ready to go all out in biz! And what happens each year during the challenge, is said best by the host (and my coach & friend):
Magic is made in this Challenge every year. -Kelly McCausey (SYC Founder & Host)
It really is a magical experience each year! One of my favorite things is the comradery of the community. Everyone supporting each other and when needed, gentle butt kickin's are given too 😉 Friendships are formed, joint ventures created, and more!
21 Different Challenges To Choose From
Each one of the challenges gives you a time frame to complete it and an intimidation factor.
For example here's a peek at what challenge one looks like. It shows you the time frame it'll take and the intimidation factor and then a little blurb about it working with other challenges.
The different intimidation factors you'll find for the challenges:
- Low
- Small
- Medium
- Medium/High
- High
And here are the different challenges to choose from:
- Challenge #1: Set Up Google Analytics Reporting (NEW in 2020)
- Challenge #2: Share Your Expertise & Promote It Like Crazy!
- Challenge #3: Create A Collaborative Blog Post (NEW in 2020)
- Challenge #4: Tackle A Dedicated Affiliate Promotion (NEW in 2020)
- Challenge #5: Tackle A Content Refresh (NEW in 2020)
- Challenge #6: Hold a Webinar or Teleseminar To Grow Your List
- Challenge #7: Host a Facebook Live Series
- Challenge #8: Offer & Host A Group Coaching Intensive
- Challenge #9: Create a Small & Mighty Gift Report
- Challenge #10: Make an Intentional Connection
- Challenge #11: Start A Facebook Group
- Challenge #12: Gather & Publish Testimonials
- Challenge #13: Host A One Day Virtual Summit
- Challenge #14: Choose A Live Event To Attend
- Challenge #15: Volunteer/Apply To Speak Live
- Challenge #16: Participate in a Bundle Sale or Giveaway
- Challenge #17: Plan A Microcontinuity Membership Program
- Challenge #18: Set Up A Tripwire Offer
- Challenge #19: Start a YouTube Channel (NEW in 2019)
- Challenge #20: Create A Tiktok Account & Post Three Times (NEW in 2020)
- Challenge #21: Create A Twitch.TV Account & Stream Three Times (NEW in 2020)
I Recommend The SYC Because…
Wherever you are right now – whether you're a blogger, podcaster, coach, consultant, etc. I can guarantee there is probably some area you are playing small in because you're letting the inner trickster… I call it my inner witch with a capital B 😉 play like a broken record over and over again. It probably sounds something like this:
I'm not smart enough to do ____
Why would people listen to me if I did ____
I can't get on camera or go live because I don't like the way I look (or I don't like the way my voice sounds)
I'm too scared to ____
And on and on it goes.
The SYC will help you see what all that is – trickster trying to keep you chained to your comfort zone and ‘stuck' where you are – and how to silence those thoughts and step into showing up powerfully for your community.
But most of all, I recommend SYC because…
It's worth it.
You're worth it.
But more important than that, people need you and your message!
Let me repeat that one more time for those in the back that didn't hear it the first time…
PEOPLE NEED YOU & YOUR MESSAGE!
Yep, that's right, your message is needed and people are waiting for you to step up and give them what they want (and need)! All you have to do is show up, be you and show your expertise by sharing your message. And I guarantee it'll help you attract your tribe!
An Invitation for You
If you’re tired of holding back and playing small when it's clear you’re meant for bigger and better then I highly encourage you to accept this invitation and pick up a copy of the Stretch Yourself Challenge self-study guide! The great thing about the challenges is they are something you can do at any time of the year!
Hook Me Up! Great motivational graphic at the end of the blog post. Love it. You got to tell people what you want them to do.
Hi Amanda! Thanks for swinging by and leaving a comment. Much appreciated it 🙂
Tish, I love how you point out that, “people need your message.” That is so true! We have to get out of our comfort zone so we can help others! You have been a great example of that ❤.
Hi Lu! Yes, people need our messages so we need to be putting it out there 🙂
Enjoyed your post. I like how you identified the various things the trickster says to us. We all hear those things from time to time in our head. We would never say it to someone else, yet we say it to ourselves.
Oooh Robin, yes – why is it we can talk to ourselves the way we do when we would never say something like that to others?!
What I love about your post is how you call the challenge a “magical experience.” I have been using the very same language. If so many of us are saying it’s magic, it MUST be so!
Teresa, it really is magical. Everything just works together so nicely – the community, the group atmosphere, etc. 🙂
Tishia, I love the comfort zone, too. But I also like how the SYC drags me out of it — at least for 30 days. 🙂 You are so right. It does get lonely in the comfort zone. Like you said, it truly is a magical experience. Last year transformed me in big ways. This year, the same thing happened — albeit a little differently. My favorite thing you said — people need you and your message. That really touched my heart. And, it’s leaving me with a lot to think about. To your success with the SYC and beyond!
Tara, thank you for the comment. I always tell others people need your message but sometimes I tend to forget what I preach 😉
You affirmed my belief that when we avoid a thing because of lack of confidence, if we make it about others, it frees us to stretch ourselves. Keep on stretching.
Oooh yes – when we make it about others it’s “easier” to stretch, isn’t it?
I agree that living in the comfort zone can be lonely. I’m so glad that we have both stepped outside of it and challenged ourselves. It seems our inner trickster says the same things.
So glad you are our Team Shine Leader.
Thanks Lynn! Yes, I am so glad to see you, me & everyone else stepping out of our comfort zones and stretching!
I agree that regardless of who you are – a blogger, podcaster, coach, consultant, etc. – there’s always that inner trickster that lets you play small. The call to stop playing small and putting yourself out there is a dominant, recurring theme in the challenge. Thanks, Tish, for highlighting that in your post to serve as a reminder for me! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment Maria! Funny how you start to see little recurring themes, like the stop playing small, pop up isn’t it? 😉
You are a Shining Super Star!! I too like hangin’ and chillin’, but I’m so glad you’re not sticking yourself in a box and you’ve said NO to ruts! People DO need our messages. They need us. And sometimes we gotta suck it up and stretch to get those messages out there. You inspire me regularly. Keep shining!
Thanks for swinging by Jennifer! Yes, we gotta suck it up and stretch to get those messages out there!
Hey!!!! I love hopping over to your “home on the web” and catching up on what you are up to. Although I expect #TeamBold to crush this thing, I hope that this month is your most productive. I cannot wait to see what you accomplish! LOLOLOL! LOVE YOU!
Ha way to throw the #TEAMBOLD name around in #TEAMSHINE land Cindy – those are fighting words 😉 Kidding of course! You have been rockin’ this challenge & I’ve enjoyed watching your updates and all the progress even if you are on that other team! 😉
Yeah, don’t you just love that language the inner witch with a “B” uses?!? She’s really not nice and she def gets inside some part of the brain’s anatomy and turns on switches in there. I love that the Stretch Yourself Challenge is like the anti-dote to the inner witch with the “B”. When you’re stretching in the SYC, you’re saying in no uncertain terms for that witchy-poo to go sit in the corner and watch you take the driver’s seat ’cause you’ve got this!
Yeah for you for stretching. Go Team Shine!
Ooh, Melissa, I love that you said the SYC is like the anti-dote to the inner witch with a capital B… it’s so true and I’ll be stealing that now 😉
It is so true magic can and does happen when we step outside our comfort zone and get out of our rut. I love all the unexpected results that come from taking those leaps of faith.
Unexpected results – I love that! I hadn’t thought of it that way before, Lori, but it’s so true!
Tish, I’m so glad that you pointed out Kelly’s comment about SYC being magical! I really thought it was due to the community (which I LOVE being a part of) but after last year’s challenge, I realized it was how much I accomplished and achieved in just a month’s time. A very busy & exhausting month, but also a magical and amazing month.
Thank you for reminding us that people Need us and our message … I often forget that and remain the ‘best kept secret.’ It was definitely something I needed to hear today!
You are an awesome Team Leader and Inspiration!
GO TEAM SHINE 🙂
I agree, the month of SYC can definitely be exhausting and busy… but definitely magical too 🙂
“Inner witch with a capital B.” Oh yes, I am telling her to hush up constantly! I really like how you explain the sort of levels of challenges, and how the book lets people know the expected timeframe and the intimidation factor. Great showing us an example of one, too.
Sometimes I feel like telling that inner B to hush up can be a daily thing, Kelly. But at least I’m more aware of her and it’s easier to tell her to hush than it used to be!
I agree, my comfort zone makes me feel so safe. But people need the message that we have to give. I love the graphic at the end of your post.
Hi Carol! Thank you for swinging by and leaving a comment. That graphic was purchased from something Kelly sold a long time ago. I never use them so figured why not now? 🙂
As you stated:
“I’m not smart enough to do ____
Why would people listen to me if I did ____
I can’t get on camera or go live because I don’t like the way I look (or I don’t like the way my voice sounds)
I’m too scared to ____
And on and on it goes.”
Yup – I think I said all of those! LOL – And, the challenges and more importantly the community (and your comments and shares, Tishia) really help me overcome those adversities!
Thanks! Stay AWESOME! I MISS YOU!
Paul, thanks for commenting and sharing that you too have said those things. Sometimes I forget that men can deal with inner trickster bull crap too!
“If you’re tired of holding back and playing small when it’s clear you’re meant for bigger and better…” I like this observation, that when we keep our heads down and focused on client work sometimes it’s partly because that feels safer than sharing our own content with the world. It’s easier to spread your wings and risk being seen when you are supported by others who are also trying to grow. I have found you and the rest of the LPAMM community to be very encouraging and helpful. I am glad that those who join the self-study can join the community.
Oooh Amy, YES to the when we keep our heads down focusing on client work it can partially be because that feels safer. Oh man you hit the nail on the head with that comment!
I couldn’t agree more — people need you and your message. And how lucky we are that you’re out here sharing yours. 🙂 (I also love “inner witch with a capital B.”) Go Team Shine!
Thanks Karin! I love it when we all start stepping into our awesomeness and sharing our messages – it makes the world a more magical place 🙂 (and right now with the shit show that 2020 has been, we need more magical messages… although sometimes not all messages are magical; but I think you get what I’m saying lol)
OOh, yes it is magical! There is just something about a challenge that gets me to rise up and push past my boundaries. I’ve definitely had those inner witch (B) moments but the challenge has helped me move past them… because we need points for Team Shine!! It’s like saying, I’m going to reach my goals no matter what my inner witch says. Glad to be stretching with you!
I’m so glad that you are moving past your inner B moments, Gabby! Have enjoyed watching you rock the challenge!