I’ve officially started my 75 Day Hard Challenge checklist, and this past week marked my first full seven days of sticking to it. Weekly reviews have been part of my routine for a while, but now I’m shifting the focus — using them to track my 75 Day Hard Challenge and see how the checklist is shaping my habits.

I set four simple daily goals for myself as part of the challenge:

1. Wake up at 5:30 a.m.
2. Spend time outdoors.
3. Write every day.
4. Update one article every day.

It sounds straightforward on paper, but putting it into action has been a powerful learning experience.

Early Mornings: Building the Habit of Consistency

Waking up at 5:30 a.m. is something I’ve practiced on and off since April this year, after returning from my yearly trip. It wasn’t consistent yet, but now I’ve intentionally included it in my 75 Day Hard Challenge checklist to solidify it as a real habit.

Getting up this early isn’t just about having more hours in the day — it’s surprisingly motivating. There aren’t immediate payoffs yet, but it feels empowering because not everyone can do it. Waking up early sets the tone for self-discipline, signals commitment to growth, and reminds me that I’m actively shaping the kind of person I want to become. The real reward may come later, but taking this small step every morning makes me feel like I’m investing in a better version of myself.

Getting Outdoors: More Than Just Exercise

Originally, the 75 Hard Challenge requires two workouts per day, and at least one of them has to be outdoors. Since I already have a strong daily workout habit, I didn’t feel the need to challenge myself with extra exercise right now. Instead, I focused on the “get outdoors” part of the checklist.

Last year, I noticed that getting outside was often the most challenging part. Working from home keeps me indoors most of the time, and even though exercising is easy for me, stepping outside isn’t always automatic. But when I do get outdoors, it’s incredibly rewarding. Breathing fresh air, seeing the blue sky — or even a gloomy one — gives me clarity and resets my mind. It’s a small action with a surprisingly big impact.

This past week was great because the weather was nice, so getting outdoors wasn’t difficult. But I know the 75 days ahead will include cold, rainy, or otherwise uncomfortable days. That’s why I’m committed to keeping this habit consistent — challenging myself to step outside, no matter what, because it’s not just about exercise; it’s about caring for my mental and physical well-being.

Writing Every Day: Adjusting the Approach On the Go

Writing daily was the toughest part of the challenge, mostly because I’ve just started working on a new novel. Some mornings, I had no idea where the story should go. But I still showed up — and that’s the real victory.

At first, I set a one-hour writing block, but it turned out to be too long for maintaining focus. I adjusted to 45-minute sessions instead, which has been the perfect balance. I now consistently hit around 1,000 words without burning out. Most importantly, I’m learning to enjoy the process rather than pressure myself.

The 75 Day Hard Challenge checklist isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about building habits I’ll want to keep for a lifetime.

Daily Article Updates: The Unexpected Challenge

The most difficult task turned out to be updating one article each day. I initially planned to refresh older posts, but I quickly realized much of that content was outdated or even lost. That meant I had to create new material instead — often late at night, when my energy was running low.

It’s been a challenge, but I’ve managed to stay consistent. I’m considering moving this task to the morning in the future, when my focus is stronger. Completing this part of the 75 Day Hard Challenge checklist every day has given me a deeper sense of accomplishment than I expected.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

This first week has been both challenging and rewarding. I’m proud of showing up every single day, even when it was hard. I’ve learned the importance of flexibility — adjusting goals, timing, and expectations as needed — without compromising the bigger picture.

The 75 Day Hard Challenge checklist is already doing more than building discipline. It’s helping me design a life I want to live: one built around consistency, creativity, patience, and growth.

And this is just the beginning. I’m excited to see how much stronger, more focused, and more resilient I’ll become in the weeks ahead.

Be patient with yourself. Growth isn’t about perfection — it’s about showing up. And I’m committed to showing up every single day.

See you next week!