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10 Daily Challenges To Improve Your Life

Last Updated: BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 36 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Do you feel like your life isn’t going the way you want? If so, check out my post on 10 daily challenges you should try in order to improve your life.If you’re looking for daily challenges, then you’ve come to the right place!

Do you feel like your life isn’t going the way you want?

Maybe you had a different plan but things don’t seem to be going that way. Maybe you just want a change because anything is better than how things are currently going.

No matter how you’re feeling, I do believe that everyone is in charge of their own destiny.

If you feel things are not going the way you want them to be, then change it! You can improve your life and how you perceive it by possibly taking part in daily challenges.

I think challenges can change the way you think because they open you up to new ideas that you may not have experienced or realized before. By making yourself “uncomfortable” or putting yourself in a position that you are not used to, you will truly learn a lot about yourself.

Below are 10 daily challenges you may want to take to improve your life.

 

1. Take a risk.

Have you ever thought about doing something particularly risky but you were too afraid to go for it? Doing something risky every so often can get your heart beating and your adrenaline rushing. This can really make you feel alive and like you are in charge of your life.

Daily challenge: Next time you are unsure about a particular risk, think about the pros and cons instead of automatically turning the idea down.

 

2. Say yes.

If you often find that you’re hiding from everyone and you feel like you are stuck, you may want to try branching out and saying yes more often. Saying yes can open you up to more situations, more challenges in life, and so on.

Daily challenge: Next time someone asks you to do something (that is legal, of course), say yes no matter what.

 

3. Say no.

If you say yes to everything, but you are ready to pull your hair out, then you may want to start saying no. Saying no may allow you to have more time to focus on what you truly want to in life.

Daily challenge: Next time someone asks you to do something that you honestly cannot fit into your life, just say no. It’s really that easy.

 

4. Travel to a random place.

There are many wonderful places in the world. Traveling to a random place can help improve your confidence, open you up to new experiences, and may even make you a little uncomfortable. These are all things that will help you reevaluate what you may want to do in life.

Daily challenge: For your next vacation, why don’t you throw a coin on a map and see where it lands?

 

5. Exercise.

Whenever I’m feeling a little stressed out, tired, or even grumpy, I try to fit in a workout. I know that even a small workout is better than none.

Exercising is great and it can improve your life because it can make you healthier all around. You will feel more confident, your mind will be clearer, you will be able to better cope with stress, and more.

You can work out in whatever way you prefer. I’ve never been the type of person to go to the gym or go for a run, but I do like to go rock climbing or hiking. It’s whatever fits you and your situation best.

Daily challenge: At least a few times a week you should try to get in a good exercise session in. Make this a regular thing and fit it in no matter what.

Related: How To Better Yourself – 23 Challenges That Will Change Your Life

 

6. Think positively.

I say this often and I still believe it. Thinking positively can greatly improve your life and your outlook on life. Being positive can help motivate you, it can help you to not waste time on regret, and more.

Daily challenge: Every time something may bog you down or make you unhappy, try to think of a positive outcome that may come from it.

Related article: Why I Believe Being Positive Can Change Your Financial Situation And Your Life

 

7. Be kind to others.

Being kind can improve your life because you will feel better about yourself and you will be making others feel better as well.

Daily challenge: There are many daily challenges you could do to take part in this, such as:

  • Say hello to every person you walk by today
  • Open doors for others
  • Smile at strangers
  • Help someone with their groceries
  • Volunteer somewhere.

 

8. Eliminate/cut back on social media and/or TV.

Our minds are greatly influenced by what we see on TV and on social media. Plus, it can be a huge waste of time.

Instead of turning on the TV or looking at social media the next time you are bored, you may want to try to do something more worthwhile such as working out, spending time with friends and family, reading a book, and so on.

Daily challenge: Every so often, try to completely cut out TV and/or social media for the day or even longer if you prefer.

 

9. Keep a journal.

While I don’t have a journal, I do have this blog, which acts as a journal in a way. Keeping a journal can help you reflect on your past and check in on your progress of how you are doing. Plus, spilling your heart out every so often is great for the mind and for the soul.

Daily challenge: Write in a journal once a day, once a week, or whenever you want. Just keep it regular and be completely honest with yourself.

 

10. Sit silently.

When was the last time you just sat down in complete silence with no distractions? For the average person, this is probably a rare occurrence.

Sitting silently can help you reflect on your life and what’s going on in the world around you. It can also help you relax, destress, and clear your mind.

Daily challenge: Every day or as much as you would like, try to sit down for anywhere from 10-30 minutes with no distractions whatsoever.

Have you ever taken part in any of these daily challenges? Do you believe taking part in daily challenges can improve your life? Why or why not?

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About Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Michelle is the founder of Making Sense of Cents, a blog about personal finance and traveling. She discusses how her business has evolved in her side income series. She paid off $40,000 in student loans by the age of 24 mainly due to her freelancing side hustles. Click here to learn more about starting a blog!

Comments

  2. diane @smartmoneysimplelife says

    #10 reminds me of something I love to do but haven’t had much time for lately and that’s sitting on my veranda and observing my garden. It’s incredibly relaxing and a great way to disconnect from technology for a while.

    Now the weather is warming up here (spring is definitely in the air!) I’m going to make time to do this every day.

    Great list Michelle!

    Reply

  3. Laura Harris says

    I especially like the action steps you provided. I’ve just been thinking about the “say no” step, and ironically the “say yes” step too. It’s time for me to undergo a challenge that involves greater risk, but greater reward. I have to say “yes” to it, while at the same time saying “no” to the easier path as other opportunities rise. Thank you for the reminder that it’s worth it.

    Reply

  4. Thias @It Pays Dividends says

    I’ve been trying to make sure I think positively and sit quietly for at least a little while everyday. Overall, life isn’t that hectic that you can’t take a few minutes to reflect positively on life. It can be a great way to decrease stress!

    Reply

  6. Amy @ DebtGal says

    This is a really great list, Michelle. I’m someone who really likes the familiar, and I’ve had to actively make 1, 2, and 10 a part of my life. I don’t want to miss out on experiences, or look back on life and wish I’d done (or said) more than I have.

    Reply

  8. Steve Miller says

    Great list (especially #5). I am often asked why I am happy all the time. I think it has a lot to do with daily exercise, I have been doing that since I graduated college 30 years ago. I start each day with some type of exercise.

    About 3 days a week, I cycle for 1-2 hours. 2 days a week I work out in the gym (I actually do this thing called a Power Hour) where you lift light weights with a group of people for an hour. You lift to music and end up doing 1,000 reps in one hour. Wow! The other days I do something fun (golf, hike, swim, etc.).

    Thanks for sharing your list!

    Reply

  10. Ali @ Anything You Want says

    I love these challenges! I am all about setting goals and I typically follow challenges like this for a month at a time. I’ve tried the no TV or social media challenges, and exercise challenges. I would like to try a mindfulness challenge, somewhat similar to your sit silently challenge.

    Reply

  12. Heather @ Simply Save says

    Numbers 2 and 3 are so much more important and challenging than most realize! We are often so quick to say “no” that we miss out on some great experiences and opportunities. But then we are quick to say yes, when we want to say no and end up over-committing to things we really don’t want to be doing with our time. Finding the balance is an art!

    Reply

  14. Bryan @ Just One More Year says

    These are all great daily challenges. I took on #10 early this year. I committed to meditating every day- even if for only 10 minutes at a time.

    For those that have not tried to sit still or mediate, this is much more difficult than you may think. The mind can be difficult to quiet and focus. There are so many things to think and worry about. 🙂

    I could clearly tell the difference in this practice after 30 days!

    Reply

  15. Jason Butler says

    I love this post Michelle. Taking a risk a few years ago was one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made. I learned so much about myself by doings that. Also, I been saying no a lot more this year and it has helped me save so much money.

    Reply

  16. Chris @ Flipping a Dollar says

    “4. Travel to a random place.”

    I stopped at one of those scenic overlooks when I was traveling between our two work sites. That 5 minutes made me feel so refreshed, and I got a lot done when I got back to the office!

    Reply

  17. Alan J says

    Thinking positively is perhaps the most significant and efficient challenge to overcome. If we’re optimistic, then we can achieve anything, definitely =)

    Reply

  18. Gina says

    I have been incorporating these sorts of daily challenges more and more in my life. Honestly, I’ve never been happier. Two of the things I’ve been doing that I really am doing regularly are journaling and working out. I am noticeably happier afterwards, even others have been commenting on how much happier I’ve been. I think that this post is fantastic and daily challenges like these can really improve your life and make you happier. 🙂

    Reply

  19. Yogesh Shinde says

    I also believe we should challenge ourselves to achieve daily goals, this brings the value to everyday and make our life easier and fulfilled.

    Reply

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