FAQ

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

If you have a question that is not answered here, DM me on Twitter @ka11away and I will add the answer here.

Q: How do I connect with the people who are also doing this challenge (and other 100DaysOfX challenges)?

A: Join our Slack and Discord. Search for #100DaysOfX and the hashtag for your chosen challenge (for example, #100DaysOfWriting) on Twitter and Instagram :) Also, for other ways to connect, go to the Connect page

Q: What’s the best way to format my update tweets?

A: These are some best practices for your daily update.

Must haves:

Important: include the round of the challenge and the day you are on like this: R1D32 (which means Round 1 Day 32)
Important: Add minimum 2 hashtags: #100DaysOfX and the hashtag of the challenge you are taking (for example, #100DaysOfWriting)

Solid bonuses:

Write about what you worked on, what were the challenges, how you are feeling today in terms of your progress and in general - what are your emotions?
Try to make your tweet updates as exciting as possible so that more people in the challenge will give you feedback, attention and support: include photos, videos, screenshots, and links to your work. People love seeing those engaging updates - it makes it way more fun :)
To increase the reach of your tweets and to help the #100DaysOfX challenges reach more people so that they can change their lives - include more hashtags in your tweet updates, the hashtags related to the challenge you are taking. For example, for #100DaysOfCode you could also include: #programming #learnToCode #code etc.
Include the things you’ve learnt about along the way and your advice for others
It’s okay to tweet not only the daily updates but your thoughts on the challenge in general and also tweets of encouragement and motivation are nice as well.

Q: What are Rounds? What does R stand for in the updates?

A: The approach with which we take the habit formation here is totally different from what you are used to. The usual assumption is when you acquire one habit you are keeping it for life, and you are supposed to add them as you go along to become more efficient and better. However, we get overwhelmed really easily and with time we drop the habits.

Also, it’s very difficult for our minds to think about acquiring a habit for life, indefinitely - we think, “OMG I am going to keep this up forever” and we often lose enthusiasm fast because of that. It’s easier for the mind to be ‘okay’ when it knows that the strain and challenge has a ‘deadline’ and thus it is not panicking as much.

Rounds is a system that allows you to acquire a habit during the 100 Days, and doesn’t require you to keep the habit for life. You take a little break if you want, then you can decide to do another round, or move on to some other habit. Meanwhile, the habits usually stick with you. The people who have completed the #100DaysOfCode (sometimes many rounds) usually keep coding daily even after the challenge have ended.

Another benefit of rounds is that you can create a plan for your challenge, do it, and when you are finished you can analyze your ‘run’ to see what worked and what didn’t - and use that data to adapt the rules and make sure the next round will be even more effective and life-changing.

Q: Can I do 2 100DaysOfX challenges at the same time? Can I do more?

A: My advice is to keep it to 2 at the same time maximum - to remember where you are in each challenge and give yourself some space to focus on it. If you are keen to develop more than 2 habits at the same time - based on what I’ve learnt so far it’s not the best idea because it’s very difficult to maintain. Instead, really commit to the 100DaysOfX challenge (or 2) and for other habits don’t be too hard on yourself - if you do them on one day and skip on another, it’s ok. Don’t beat yourself up - treat them as bonus habits only. Thus, you will keep your focus on one or two #100DaysOfX challenges without diffusing your attention. Changes are gradual and they will be impacting your life in a positive way as you go.

Q: I’ve missed a day, does it mean I’ve failed the challenge?

A: Absolutely not. You are allowed to miss one day (then make it up by adding one more day to the end of the 100), but never miss two days in a row. This is a great piece of advice on habit formation that I got from Leo Babauta at zen habits.

Q: How do I make sure my updates are noticed by others?

A: Try to make your tweet updates as exciting as possible so that more people in the challenge will give you feedback, attention and support: include photos, videos, screenshots, and links to your work. People love seeing those engaging updates - it makes it way more fun :)

Q: If everyone started on a certain day, should I join them on the day they are? For example, from Day 12?

A: This challenge is individual, so when you join you start at day 1. Whenever you’ll be posting an update on Twitter or elsewhere, make sure to mention which day you are on and use the hashtag so that people can find and support you!

Q: I’ve already started the challenge, and I’m currently on Day 8 [*for example]. How can I start using this repo to track my progress?

A: Don’t worry. Restore as much info on the previous days, but if you can’t then just continue from where you are right now. If you have been tweeting about your progress every day, put the links to your tweets in the Log for each day. Then, follow the format.

Q: I come home late, and by the time I am finished working on my habit, it’s past midnight, does it count?

A: Of course it counts! The rule of thumb is: have you completed your daily task before going to sleep that day? If yes, you are on track. The reason for this is that we all have different schedules and different life periods (kids, school, work, and what have you) so don’t hold yourself to some arbitrary time standard. You will not experience what Cinderella experienced once the clock strikes midnight. Don’t worry whether you get a point on GitHub on that particular day. Yes, it’s nice to have them in a streak one by one, but don’t do yourself a disservice by measuring your efforts to a clock.

Q: Should I keep a journal?

A: Yes you should, and the best way to do that is described in the Steps page: either keep it in a Google Doc, or an Evernote page

It’s helpful in two major ways: you will be able to look at the progress each day and see how far you’ve already come and it will be easier to find the motivation to continue, and the second one is that after you’ve done your 100 days, you will be able to analyze your experience better and see what worked and what didn’t.

Q: Should I worry about streaks/momentum?

A: Streaks are nice and helpful, but as I mentioned above — don’t worry about them too much and don’t criticize yourself over missing a day. Instead, make sure you do everything to not let that happen again, and know that worrying and scolding yourself will not give you any results. (Ok, It will give you results, but only negative. I would call them consequences, not results) The best way to get out of that negative emotional state is to start the habit for the day (the activity itself).

Q: What is the most difficult part of any of these challenges?

A: The part where you have to ‘start’ your habit for the day. Don’t postpone that or think about it at all, because you will rationalize yourself out of it. Approach it mechanically: sit down or prepare, and start doing something. If it’s writing, just open your laptop or get a piece of paper and just start writing. You don’t have to know what to write about, it will come to you. After 5 minutes, you will not feel any problems/procrastination/desire to stop.