Katiaesque

Day 6 of the 31-Minute Challenge: Learn From Your Dog

Katia Raina

states 09 368My three-something-year-old Brittany, Lucky, is a lovely, charming girl with quite impressive dog manners. Ask anyone in the neighborhood. 🙂

Still, like any dog she knows what she wants when she wants it.

If you own a puppy of any breed, age or temperament, then you know perfectly well what a term “dogged” means.

Dogged is what they are, when they pursue a squirrel. Beg for food. Keep returning to the one spot they can’t go to — again, and again, and again.

You want something bad? Take an inspiration from your dog. Wrap your teeth around that chew toy. Clamp’em down with everything you’ve got. And don’t let go.

Dogged is the only way to be if you want to achieve anything worthwhile, anything extraordinary.

I wrote another way about this crazy doggedness a few years ago here. I hope it speaks to you.

How did everyone’s first week of the month/year/challenge go? Were you able to keep up during the weekend, too? And are you guys ready for week 2?

I know it’s going to be a crazy week for me, that’s for sure. (Will be posting on that in a few days).

Cheers to all of you! You guys are wonderful. Truly.

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20 responses to “Day 6 of the 31-Minute Challenge: Learn From Your Dog”

  1. Miranda Hardy Avatar
    Miranda Hardy

    It’s been a great first week. I was able to write, despite being ill.

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  2. Joanne Fritz Avatar
    Joanne Fritz

    Yay for us! Hope you feel better, Miranda. I’ve also been fighting off yet another cold, but I managed at least 2 sessions a day every day. Now I look forward to those 31 minutes (or more) with no internet, no distractions; and I can’t wait to open my Word doc every time.

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  3. Katia Raina Avatar
    Katia Raina

    Nice. 🙂 So proud of you!!

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  4. Wendy Greenley Avatar
    Wendy Greenley

    The first week was harder than I thought–in fact, as soon as I log off here, I have to go do today’s 31. The concreteness of life can nudge dreams aside, but so far, I’ve been shoving back!

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    1. Katia Raina Avatar
      Katia Raina

      As long as you shove back, Wendy! Just keep telling yourself, 31 minutes, how hard can it be? And before you know it, your timer will be beeping. Looking forward to running your guest post tomorrow!

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  5. Dori Stone Avatar
    Dori Stone

    I started the challenge on December 6th, I was so excited I couldn’t wait for January to arrive. So, I already have a month behind me. Everyday since I started the challenge, I’ve met or exceeded the 31 minutes, even on Christmas and New Years Eve. At this point, I’ve revised 2 picture books and am nearly 2000 words into a new middle grade fiction story. Keep up the good work everyone!

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    1. Katia Raina Avatar
      Katia Raina

      You know what that means, right Dori? You’re our first winner! Woo-hoo! I’d love to know what’s next for you. Are you hooked on writing once again now? Will you continue? I’d love another guest post about those things! If you’re in the mood, email me 🙂

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  6. Robin Hutchinson Avatar
    Robin Hutchinson

    Katia,

    I couldn’t agree more! I have two cocker spaniels and if they have taught me one thing…it’s persistence! If they want something…they will do anything to get their way! It’s amazing what dogs can teach you. It’s day 6 and still going strong!

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    1. Katia Raina Avatar
      Katia Raina

      Go, Robin! It’s amazing what dogs can teach you…yes. Not just the doggedness 🙂 Another thing I love about dogs is how “in the moment” they are, you know?

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  7. Mary Morrison Avatar
    Mary Morrison

    This has been a fun 6 days for me. I have started a noval that I thought was just going to be short story for YA. This could be a fun challenge for me.

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    1. Katia Raina Avatar
      Katia Raina

      Mary, I know what you mean about short stories turning into novels. I suffer from that affliction greatly, myself! 🙂 Either way, so glad you’re having fun with this. Keep on!

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  8. AH Avatar
    AH

    Couldn’t make it on the 3rd and 4th, but the rest is there.

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    1. Katia Raina Avatar
      Katia Raina

      AH, could your standards have been too high? Was this because you were aiming for continuous 31-minute intervals? Because, just for your info, for the purposes of this challenge, non-continuous works too. Either way, glad you’re still in the running.

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      1. AH Avatar
        AH

        No, no, I’ve been doing non-continuous intervals everytime. The days I missed were during the weekend when I went home to see family…

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  9. Mary Morrison Avatar
    Mary Morrison

    I am so glad to hear that. I worked on a story this morning for a few min. and then someone came over. I just finished an outline for a non-fiction piece about milk. Have a nice night.

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    1. Katia Raina Avatar
      Katia Raina

      This is meant to be small, easy and do-able, something you could easily make a commitment to. Sounds like you’re moving along nicely, Mary!

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  10. Maureen Avatar
    Maureen

    Well, I’m still in the challenge, but sometimes I’m writing later at night than I want to (like now). I’m working on a short story and also preparing clips/resume to send in to several work for hire places, which is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. This 31 minute thing is working….thanks!

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    1. Katia Raina Avatar
      Katia Raina

      Yay, Maureen! So glad to hear it! As for working later in the day, I know what you mean. I still maintain that the earlier the better. A “don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today” adage adopted, I guess. Then again, it’s been working for you so far, and that’s the important thing, right? One friend of mine wrote at 11:29 p.m. a few days ago, but I think that’s pushing it a little 😉

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  11. Medeia Sharif Avatar
    Medeia Sharif

    I went to my crit group tonight, which is always inspirational.

    I know what dogged means. 🙂

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    1. Katia Raina Avatar
      Katia Raina

      Your comment made me smile, Medeia. 🙂 So glad you’re fitting writing in, busy as you are.

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