I didn’t like roller coasters or anything involving substantial heights when I was younger. I hid this for the most part, avoiding theme parks as much as possible.

Inevitably I would get roped into a trip to Six Flags and end up on a gut wrenching ride. I’d tell everyone afterwards “That was fun!”

I was lying. I hated it.

I felt vulnerable admitting my fear, that’s why I lied.

In college I was given a great job opportunity but it required climbing telephone polls for the summer. By the end of summer I wasn’t afraid of roller coasters anymore.

I conquered my fear head on. I was motivated by not being a broke college student in the fall semester.

It felt good.

Lately I haven’t felt challenged by much. I’ve been in a funk for sure. This feeling of just lightly treading water to keep my head above the rolling waves.

It would be relaxing to some people to not have a daunting task on the horizon, it’s exhausting for me. I literally lose sleep on the regular thinking about my current lack of vigor.

I have been patiently waiting for the moment my work will provide that missing challenge. That thing I can tackle head on and feel great after it is completed. Thing is, that’s not my work’s job.

I suppose I divulge this information because I know hiding your difficulty or fears isn’t a recipe for conquering them.

I’m missing that challenge or vigor pulsing through my veins, so I’ve decided to manufacture one. I’ve decided I am going to record 100 home projects in the next year, and toss it up on YouTube to help others. If it seems kind of odd, I agree.

In the past I have posted a few house project videos and really enjoyed the feedback from people. It hit on a lot of cylinders for me.

I’m not sure how this challenge will impact the next year. I figure at the very least it will improve my home. I just know that for whatever reason I like doing it and it feels rewarding to have a quest set out before me, hat tip to Chris Guillebeau for the inspiration.

I hope you have challenges. They’re the things that keep life interesting.

If you’re waiting around for a challenge to just show up, it might never come.

Maybe it is waiting for you to find it.

Photo credit : Flickr