• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Shining Self

Telling Stories of Hope, Love and Transformation.

  • Blog
  • About Tish
    • Tish has been featured
    • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Wanna be a guest on the show?
  • Products
  • Member’s Area

It’s Time To Stretch

By Tishia 38 Comments

stretch yourself challenge

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 πŸ˜‰

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 πŸ˜‰ 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 πŸ˜‰ 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!Β 

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!

Filed Under: Blog

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amanda Myers says

    September 19, 2020 at 7:15 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 19, 2020 at 3:55 pm

      Hi Amanda! Thanks for swinging by and leaving a comment. Much appreciated it πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Luanna says

    September 19, 2020 at 8:59 am

    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 ❀.

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 19, 2020 at 4:12 pm

      Hi Lu! Yes, people need our messages so we need to be putting it out there πŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Robin Smith says

    September 19, 2020 at 8:38 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 21, 2020 at 9:46 pm

      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?!

      Reply
  4. Teresa Miller says

    September 19, 2020 at 8:44 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 21, 2020 at 9:47 pm

      Teresa, it really is magical. Everything just works together so nicely – the community, the group atmosphere, etc. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. Tara says

    September 20, 2020 at 12:37 pm

    Tishia, I love the comfort zone, too. But I also like how the SYC drags me out of it — at least for 30 days. πŸ™‚ 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!

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 21, 2020 at 9:48 pm

      Tara, thank you for the comment. I always tell others people need your message but sometimes I tend to forget what I preach πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  6. Adalia John says

    September 20, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 21, 2020 at 9:48 pm

      Oooh yes – when we make it about others it’s “easier” to stretch, isn’t it?

      Reply
  7. Lynn says

    September 20, 2020 at 6:56 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 21, 2020 at 9:49 pm

      Thanks Lynn! Yes, I am so glad to see you, me & everyone else stepping out of our comfort zones and stretching!

      Reply
  8. Maria Silvo says

    September 20, 2020 at 10:18 pm

    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! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 21, 2020 at 9:50 pm

      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? πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  9. Jennifer Burke says

    September 21, 2020 at 12:52 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 21, 2020 at 9:51 pm

      Thanks for swinging by Jennifer! Yes, we gotta suck it up and stretch to get those messages out there!

      Reply
  10. Cindy Rushton says

    September 21, 2020 at 4:18 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 21, 2020 at 9:52 pm

      Ha way to throw the #TEAMBOLD name around in #TEAMSHINE land Cindy – those are fighting words πŸ˜‰ 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! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  11. Melissa Brown, MD says

    September 21, 2020 at 8:27 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 21, 2020 at 9:53 pm

      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 πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  12. Lori Winslow says

    September 22, 2020 at 11:43 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 23, 2020 at 7:57 pm

      Unexpected results – I love that! I hadn’t thought of it that way before, Lori, but it’s so true!

      Reply
  13. Dr Renee Cohn Jones says

    September 22, 2020 at 1:56 pm

    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 πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 23, 2020 at 7:58 pm

      I agree, the month of SYC can definitely be exhausting and busy… but definitely magical too πŸ™‚

      Reply
  14. Kelly Crompton says

    September 22, 2020 at 3:53 pm

    β€œInner 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.

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 23, 2020 at 7:59 pm

      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!

      Reply
  15. Carol Bremner says

    September 22, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 23, 2020 at 8:00 pm

      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? πŸ™‚

      Reply
  16. Paul Taubman says

    September 22, 2020 at 6:22 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 23, 2020 at 8:01 pm

      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!

      Reply
  17. Amy Smereck says

    September 22, 2020 at 7:26 pm

    “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.

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 23, 2020 at 8:01 pm

      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!

      Reply
  18. Karin Crompton says

    September 22, 2020 at 7:38 pm

    I couldn’t agree more — people need you and your message. And how lucky we are that you’re out here sharing yours. πŸ™‚ (I also love “inner witch with a capital B.”) Go Team Shine!

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 23, 2020 at 8:03 pm

      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 πŸ™‚ (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)

      Reply
  19. Gabby Conde says

    September 22, 2020 at 8:16 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Tishia says

      September 23, 2020 at 8:03 pm

      I’m so glad that you are moving past your inner B moments, Gabby! Have enjoyed watching you rock the challenge!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Get Instant Access to the Ebook & Workbook Now:

Let’s Connect!

Recent Posts

  • 10 Signs Your Self Wants to Be Loved More (by you) (& A Gift to Get You Started)
  • Losing Weight Won’t Make You Happier Here’s 3 Reasons Why
  • You Can Do Hard Things
  • A Christmas Like No Other
  • 9 Self-Confidence Building Tips

Categories

alcohol addiction authentic self body positivity Dealing With Depression Dealing With Negative Thoughts Get Past Your Shit Imposter Syndrome Louise Heite mental health online dating Plus Size Life Plus Size Model Self-Care Self Limiting Beliefs sober living Travel Adventures

Archives

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Sometimes I make recommendations for books, journals, calendars, other products and resources. The link provided, in many cases, is an affiliate link. This means if you click it and purchase, I will earn a small commission when you take action on a recommendation but you will not pay more. I only promote things I personally use, test, and believe in.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Contact
  • Affiliate Program
  • Hosted by the best – Mom Webs!
  • Refund Policy, Disclosure & Disclaimer

Copyright 2017 © 2022 Β· Wellness Pro On Genesis Framework Β·