I love the challenge of a good Obstacle Course Race (OCR).
I’ve competed in 2 so far, and each time I learn a lot more about what I thought were my limits. Every time, I realize that I’m capable of doing much more than I originally thought.
Each time I prepare for a race, I also learn a lot about the key roles of proper routine building and taking care of yourself.
I learn a lot about making choices that may seem hard at first (such as waking up early to get a workout in), instead of succumbing to options that are fast, cheap, and easy (like sleeping in or eating poorly).
And with the right determination, mindset, and preparation going into the race, I have been able to push myself to overcome the challenges of each course and accomplish more than I thought I was possible.
Each time I wake up early and push myself to participate in the Code Larks challenge, I draw this same sense of satisfaction and visible progress towards my goals. The Code Larks community is here to help you make similarly awesome progress each morning.
And you’re in luck – the December Code Larks challenge is about to kick off with a whole new round of participants!
That is why, today in this post, my goal is to help you better understand what the Code Larks challenge is. From here you can check it out, join our community for free, and come kick ass with us, asap.
Now is the best time to take it on, if you are looking to start or level up your career in tech. Before we review the challenge details below (skip ahead if you can’t wait), I have a question for you…
When’s the last time you were “All In”?
To be successful in an obstacle course race, you have to be all in. This is the same for anything that you hope to do well, especially if that act of participating pushes you outside of your comfort zone. If you want to do well in the Code Larks challenge, you have to be all in.
What I am about to say may go against the grain of how you currently feel:
Right now – as the world continues to grapple with the many challenges brought by this awful pandemic – is actually one of the best times you have to drastically improve your life.
The world is facing a reskilling emergency, and we need you.
Do you believe that?
I know in these dark times, it can be really, really hard to adopt a positive outlook. I can absolutely relate. Nearly everyone in my family (including me) got COVID this month. Our symptoms have been mild, which we are deeply thankful for. Even with that being the case, the past few weeks have been one of the most stressful time periods of my life to adapt and overcome.
But I still firmly believe what I wrote above . Do you?
If so, then read on because now might be the perfect time for you to take on the Code Larks challenge. This challenge will push you to new heights of technical skill building and career goal achievement.
It might not be easy at first, but taking on new challenges – and building the new habits required to do so – rarely is. If it were easy, everyone would do it. If you’re still reading this, my gut tells me you’re not everyone, and you’re ready to push yourself to rise above the status quo.
Ok, ok. Enough setup. Let’s get into the challenge details!
Introducing the Code Larks Challenge
The challenge is straightforward:
- Decide on a time between 4:30 – 7:30am to wake up each day.
- Check in with the community by commenting in the “Morning Check-ins” slack thread.
- Check out “The Daily Content” thread to get a boost of motivation and insight before you dive into learning.
- Commit to advancing your learning and career progress for at least 30 mins each morning.
Main areas that Code Larks are encouraged to make progress on during the challenge:
- Courses related to their career goals
- Portfolio projects
- Resume & portfolio prep
- Applying for jobs
- Interview practice
- Coaching and mentorship
Closing thoughts: The Parallels of OCRs and the Code Larks Challenge
IMO, there are a ton of parallels between the mindset and preparation it take to succeed in OCR and the same that is required for Code Larks Challenge success.
Many looking at obstacle racing and think, “Who in their right mind willingly puts themselves through these types of races?”
Unfortunately, many view the habit of waking up early in a similarly light, and embrace the belief that they’re just not a morning person.
However, what if your goals and support system were strong enough to drive you towards positive action each morning? If this were the case, then I am willing to bet that you would find the routine of rising early to be deeply satisfying.
Ready to Rise to the Challenge?
Don’t let the fleeting darkness of our current challenging times stop you from charting a path to a better future. Instead, challenge yourself to wake up early and build your technical skills with the Code Larks community!
We can build the technical skills together that put us in a position to be part of the solution. Sign up below to get started.
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