Ten years on: why I'm doing it all again

In politics, success is measured in what is achieved in the first 100 days in office. In life, success is measured across a whole lifetime. I prefer to work in between: taking bite-sized chunks to clear the decks, break bad habits, and build new ones. That's what a 100 Day Challenge means to me. Not perfection. Consistency.

On 4th May 2016, living in Papua New Guinea, I started my first 100 Day Challenge. The goal was simple: quit cigarettes once and for all. But I knew willpower alone wouldn't cut it. I needed carrots, not just the stick of withdrawal. So I did what I do best... I took on a LOT: No alcohol for 100 days, daily exercise, healthier food, meditation. And, because I needed to be accountable to someone other than myself, I announced it publicly on Facebook and wrote a daily blog throughout.

What happened next genuinely surprised me. People I barely knew started following the blog. Acquaintances stopped me in the supermarket to share their own battles with habits they were trying to break. Others felt compelled to explain - whether to me, or perhaps to themselves - why they were holding onto habits they knew weren't serving them. The challenge had created a conversation far beyond my own living room.

And because I had a cheering squad, I barely noticed the cravings. Each day I felt sharper, healthier, clearer. My doctor, at my mid-challenge check-up, couldn't believe the health of my liver - which I chose to take as a compliment, even if it probably wasn't entirely meant as one. When Day 100 arrived, I felt proud, and a little bereft that it was over.

Fifteen days later, I fell and broke my back (The picture above was taken the night before I fell and broke my back, and my life was thrown into a completely different trajectory, which inspired me to create Living Legacy, and thankfully be here with you today).

Medical evacuation. Repatriation home. Job lost. Long rehabilitation. And through all of it, I still didn't smoke. I've remained cigarette-free since (the occasional post-one-drink-too-many lapse aside - any fans of Father Ted will know exactly the kind of social self-coercion I mean).

That was ten years ago. A lot has happened since, aside from the back break. And yet I'm come through each challenge, not unscathed, but definitely more learned and better prepared. I've attempted a few more 100 Day Challenges over the years, but without enough clarity of purpose, none of them took hold. (You may have seen our 100 Day Journeys on the @livinglegacy.ie Instagram page. It's a different kind of challenge, walking followers through their own advance planning. If you haven't worked through that yet, it's worth a look.)

But now, on the tenth anniversary of that first challenge, I'm going again. This time the goals are different, though the spirit is the same.

To keep myself honest: if I don't see it through, I'll donate €500 to Merchants Quay Ireland's Jane's Place programme, which supports women facing addiction and homelessness. If I do make it, I'd love you to consider donating to them too, or to any cause close to your heart.

I'll be writing about the journey on Linkedin's Legacy Blueprint, so follow along, hold me to it, and cheer loudly when you feel like it.

With encouragement,
Jen x

Living Legacy Updates

Succession Planning Success - Donegal Local Development Company

Congratulations to the 5 organisations who completed the Living Legacy Succession Planning programme that I ran for Donegal Local Development Company. This was a really incredible group and each participant embraced the work (and homework!). We closed off the programme on April 20th with an in-person gathering in Letterkenny, where each organisation presented their succession plan. I am so proud of every one of them and look forward to following their journey. If your organisation would benefit from developing a succession plan, please do contact me at [email protected]

While I was in Donegal I also gave a workshop on Advance Planning to several community groups. Taking place in Laghey near Donegal Town, there was a lot of engagement and curiosity. I'm pleased that the Decision Support Services are hosting their own EPOA workshop this week, so I know at least 20 people now eager to start getting their Enduring Power of Attorney in place. If you or your community group would like me to give a presentation on advance planning please do reach out to me at [email protected] 

How Ready Are You with your Advance Plans?

I am delighted to have now launched an online tool to help individuals figure out their advance planning readiness, which includes steps to take. If you haven't yet started your advance planning, or even if you think you have everything in place, then I invite you to take this assessment (about 3 minutes) to help you figure out what you can do to get peace of mind and get your plans in place.

For the coming 100 Days I have a few things up my slieve to get in place, so please do stay connected and I'll keep you updated.

In the meantime, if you are ready to work on your advance plans - whether for you personally or professionally, please reach out to me at [email protected] and let's begin.