I finished my reading challenge.
Just before the new year, a wonderful member of the Potterhead Running Club (PHRC) designed a fun reading challenge. Sixty badges could be earned by reading sixty books in sixty different categories. I finished my sixtieth book today (thus earning my sixtieth badge.)
I didn’t intend to do this challenge in 63 days, but once I started, I couldn’t stop. Every book I read fit a category, so I started knocking them off fast.
I read cookbooks, graphic novels, epic fantasies, mysteries, romances, non-fiction, YA novels, middle-grade novels, picture books, classics, and audiobooks. It was a lot of fun, but I’m ready to get back to my life and read books that I want to read instead of books I have to read (even though I enjoyed most of the books I read.)
What is super obvious is that if you give me a badge, I will do about anything. I’m running every day for a year to earn virtual badges. I’m running three marathons in three weekends to earn a virtual badge (not to mention all the real medals.)
If I could just find programs that gave out virtual badges for weight loss and publishing books, I’d have met all my goals. (I have tried a few of the weight loss programs, but they were sooooo stingy with their badges, I never stuck with it. Come on, it’s not like they cost anything.)
Do you have any crazy goals you are working on? Do virtual badges entice you? How do you reward yourself? Someone once told me I was like Jeremy the crow from Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH because I am obsessed with shiny objects. Guilty as charged.