The Think Different Challenge

think different
Image by Noah Bulgaria.

By Peter Clemens

I love Vancouver, but there is one thing that is taking awhile to adjust to: the rain. Vancouver receives A LOT of rain and this is very different from my experience growing up in Australia, where one of the major problems is the very lack of rain. Because I love the sun and the outdoors so much, I often get a bit down when it rains.

So yesterday, during another rainy day, I had a thought: “what is the point of letting the weather affect my mood? It’s not like I can control it.” At that point I resolved to think differently about the rain. In fact, I even made a list for myself as to why the rain is alright:

  • There is a good chance it is snowing on the mountains (= skiiing).
  • It keeps everything green and fresh.
  • There are many people who need this rain (eg farmers).
  • I don’t have to wash the car as often.
  • It doesn’t have to stop me from my normal activities, eg I can still go for a run in the rain (some people may argue that running, itself, is not normal).

The Challenge

The Think Different Challenge is all about finding something in your life you currently have negative thoughts or feelings toward (eg work or your mother-in-law), and deciding to look at it differently. It is about realizing that some things are just a part of life, so we may as well try to find the positives in them.

The rules for this writing project are:

  1. Write a new blog post in which you “think different”. Follow my suggestions above, or be a bit different and interpret the challenge the way you want :) .
  2. State that the post is a part of the Think Different Challenge and include a link and/ or trackback to this post so that readers know the rules of the challenge. Feel free to use the above banner (inspired, of course, by Seth Godin).
  3. Include a link and/ or trackback to the blogger who tagged you.
  4. At the end of your post, go ahead and tag some fellow bloggers. Don’t forget to email them to let them know they have been tagged.
  5. That’s it! Just sit back and enjoy reading peoples’ responses to the challenge.

I Tag

The below bloggers are tagged as a part of this challenge:

Aaron Potts – Today Is That Day

Alex – The Universe As

Alex Blackwell – The Next 45 Years

Angeleen – Goddess

Derrick – Sui Generis

Jason Ivers – A Miracle A Day

Jean – Cheerful Monk

Jenny – Jenny and Erin

Jon – Smart Wealthy Rich

Scott – Scott Andrew Bird

Stephanie – Think of Prosperity

Todd Goldfarb – We The Change

Tristan Loo – The Synergy Institute

If you weren’t tagged, but would like to participate, please go ahead and write a post that fits in with the challenge.

Think Different Articles (this list will be regularly updated)

7 Effective Ways to Implement Positive Thinking – We The Change

Body Image Baggage – Goddess

Psychology’s Unique Contribution to Your Compassion and Self-Esteem – Urban Monk

Tag, I’m It – Soup or Nuts

Think Different Challenge – Aspirations Plus

Living More Fully – Stress to Power

Learning to Love Your Boss – The Life Problems Blog

Think Different – Be Inspired Every Day

Turning a Negative to a Positive With Just a Thought – Lessons From a Recovering Doormat

A Group Writing Project in Reverse – A Miracle A Day

Think Different – And Make Friends With What Bothers You – Technology For Living

Think Different Challenge – Brainwavers

Thinking Differently About Politics – Holistic Personal Development

I Love the Think Different Challenge – Brighter Days for You and Me

Ask For A Little Help – Heal Pain Naturally

Thinking Differently About Success, Failure And Learning – Change Therapy

Letting It Go & Going With The Flow! – Powerfull Living

Letting Go of Expectations – Perspectives

I’m Calling You Out – Design Your Writing Life

Thinking Differently About Giving Advice – Brain Based Biz

How to Turn Adversity Into Opportunity – Goal Setting College

Think Differently….. About Fear – Real World Spiritual and Personal Development

Think Different Challenge – Adversity University Blog

Think Different and Overcome Negativity – Interesting Observations

Gratitude and Surrender – Live The Power

Thinking Differently… A Challenge – Rethinking

7 Questions to Ask When You’re Sick – Divine Purpose Unleashed!

How Can Having a Cold Help You “Think Different”? - Never the Same River Twice

Think Different, Be Different – Monk At Work

The Value of Independence – Seeing Is Believing: Believing Is Achieving

Thinking Different About Being Right – Shards of Consciousness

Think Different Challenge – Flooring the Consumer

* * *


61 Comments

  • User Gravatar E*
    October 29th, 2007 at 6:20 pm

    A couple weeks ago I visited Seattle for the first time. It rained literally the entire time I was there, yet the weather didn’t bother me at all. I’ve read a lot of self-improvement books like ‘Never Eat Alone’ and ‘7 Habits’, so I was already familiar with the idea that your mood and attitude is something you choose. What happened on this trip, though, helped reiterate that thinking, specifically in regards to the weather.
    As my plane took off out of Ohio, it happened to be very rainy and gloomy. The plane rose up through the clouds, then suddenly popped out above them and we were showered, not with rain, but with sunlight. It was then that I realized that, no matter what the weather seems like on the ground, it is always sunny and beautiful above the clouds.
    Our mood/attitude is much the same way… only with one significant difference. While we can’t control the weather clouds, we can control our ‘emotional clouds’. We can choose to let those clouds blow in and block out our inner sunlight, or we can push them on through and enjoy every single day as if it were 75 and sunny.

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Alex
    October 29th, 2007 at 6:20 pm

    Funny, you aren’t a big rain fan and I love the rain. My favorite part of the year living in South Florida is summer into fall because that is the rainy season. I suppose the thing I like most about rain is that I don’t feel compelled to go out and do anything when it is raining. I have an excuse to just curl up in my nice dry cozy home and chill out.

    And thanks for tagging me in the Think Different challenge, I’ll certainly be taking it.

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Jason
    October 29th, 2007 at 6:27 pm

    Eep, I’m it!
    Well, I suppose I’m up for it, though it will be a bit before it comes out. Glad to see you’re thinking of me!

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Jason
    October 29th, 2007 at 6:30 pm

    By the way, in contrast to Alex, I moved from a part of the country where it rains a lot to my current location, southern California, and one of the best changes for me is that it’s nice and sunny nearly every day of the year. Because of that, it makes the days that it DOES rain more enjoyable.
    I like my sunny weather, though.

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Priscilla Palmer
    October 29th, 2007 at 9:19 pm

    Thank you for sending people to the personal development for tag idea’s! :)

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Rudy
    October 29th, 2007 at 10:24 pm

    Southern California right now could use A LOT of rain! I’m sick of smelling smoke in the air.

    On the bright side, I like my sunny weather too! No pun intended.

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Peter
    October 30th, 2007 at 1:08 am

    Thanks for the great comments everyone. Southern California hey… maybe I should pack my bags and move south of the border :) .

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Stephanie
    October 30th, 2007 at 2:30 am

    Great Idea Peter!
    I will let you know when my post is done! Have not been around for awhile – have been overwhelmed with a new challenge but I promise I am back!
    On the thought of weather which seems to be the theme here today – I for one never look forward to the long winter months of Ontario. But then when it arrives I open my mind to the changes that it brings for me. Waking up one morning and seeing the season’s first snowfall. Gathering wood for my wood stove so I am able to stay warm. I look forward to those early morning walks in the crisp air with my dogs hearing the snow crunch under my feet. Coming home to a warm inviting fire …….. it’s just all those clothes we have to put on to go outside!!
    Adapting to change – grab hold of it like a new born and you will enjoy. Those negative thoughts will change and disappear.

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Peter
    October 30th, 2007 at 4:29 am

    Good to have you back Stephanie :) . I love your description of winter…. I think the only thing you missed was the hot chocolate.
    Ps – I have edited the article so that you are “tagged”.

    Reply

  • User Gravatar bluskygirl
    October 30th, 2007 at 1:14 pm

    Nice idea Peter. I’m in. :)

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Peter
    October 30th, 2007 at 1:39 pm

    bluskygirl: excellent :) . I had you specifically in mind for this challenge given the events of last week.

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Wildwood, NJ
    October 30th, 2007 at 2:06 pm

    Open to websites? Deadline?

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Todd
    October 30th, 2007 at 2:12 pm

    Peter– I’m on it! In fact, I didnt get around to reading this post until today (Tuesday) and posted an article this morning about the art of positive thinking…..hmmm, maybe I should edit it a bit and add this wonderful challenge (its just so relevent). OR, I could just post another one later this week and include it. I will let you know….but either way, Im IN! Todd

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Peter
    October 30th, 2007 at 2:23 pm

    The challenge is open to anyone and everyone. The more people who are involved the better. There is no deadline – most people once tagged will take 1-3 days to write an article on the topic, but if you need 1-2 weeks that’s fine.

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Jason
    October 30th, 2007 at 3:30 pm

    I take longer than most because I’m trying to keep my articles written for a week in advance, so even if I write it the same day I get tagged, it doesn’t show up for about a week. My article is done, for instance… but not published yet (it’s coming Monday).

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Jimson Lee
    October 30th, 2007 at 5:14 pm

    Peter, take it from me, when you live in a rain forest, expect rain.
    Good thing you weren’t here LAST Winter. We had several storms, power outages, snow, as cold as -7C, and a 10 day water-boil advisory.

    And then it got worse.

    If you really hate the rain, and don’t mind a small commute, I can tell you a few micro-climates on your next house hunting trip.

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Albert | UrbanMonk.Net
    November 2nd, 2007 at 3:25 pm

    Heya, I participated in your meme as well:
    http://www.urbanmonk.net/150/p.....lf-esteem/
    Thanks!

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Peter
    November 2nd, 2007 at 4:43 pm

    Wow – thanks everyone who has contributed. I have loved reading everyone’s articles, and have been particularly interested to see how people have interpreted the challenge. Keep them coming!

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Jeanne May
    November 3rd, 2007 at 6:53 am

    Hi everyone! I got back from visiting my dad in hospital and found I had been tagged! Lots of topics immediately went through my head and I know I will settle on one. It certainly won’t be the weather — I’m in Australia and it is absolutely magnificent at the moment!
    It’s a great idea and I’m honoured to be included.
    Best wishes
    Jeanne
    http://www.aspirationsplus.com

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Eric Sanders
    November 8th, 2007 at 1:46 pm

    Hi Peter,
    I really enjoyed participating in this challenge. This was a great idea.
    Eric

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Jennifer Mannion
    November 10th, 2007 at 5:06 pm

    Hi Peter, I had lots of fun participating in your Think Different Challenge. My post is: http://healpain.blogspot.com/2.....k-for.html
    It definitely woke me up thinking about this! GREAT idea for a topic. Gratefully, Jenny

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Robyn
    November 11th, 2007 at 2:04 am

    Hello, Peter. The Think Different Challenge led me to look at giving advice. Here’s my post at Brain Based Biz:

    http://brainbasedbiz.blogspot......iving.html

    It really helped me get to the meat of the issue and some of my findings really made me think twice about it even if my intentions may be good.

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Luke
    November 11th, 2007 at 4:06 am

    Wow this challenge is really starting to grow. The response to your challenge just shows how many people are in need of new thinking hats.

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Corinne Edwards
    November 18th, 2007 at 9:13 pm

    I’m in for the Think Different challenge! That is the reason all of us in the personal growth blogosphere are here!

    Glad to hear about it through AdversityUniversityblog

    My submission is

    http://www.personal-growth-wit.....ore-worry/

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Michelle Vandepas
    November 21st, 2007 at 9:44 pm

    Here’s mine:
    http://divinepurposeunleashed......challenge/
    Somehow the trackback didn’t work. Thanks for the challenge!

    Reply

  • User Gravatar rachael
    December 31st, 2007 at 12:36 am

    I love the idea of the think different challenge!

    Reply

  • User Gravatar Shreemani
    July 9th, 2008 at 8:51 am

    Great article. I like this “Think Different Challenge”. And with so many people interested I can just guess the success of this challange.

    Best of luck.

    Shreemanis last blog post..ek madesh ek pradesh tukrine cha hamro desh

    Reply

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