In Over Your Head

Homework

There is a new feature here, as of today, called HOMEWORK. It will be available every Friday.

All homework is designed to be easy to do, and the purpose of homework, over time, is to help you live a better life. Homework will provoke you to do things you should probably be better at, but that you don’t normally do.

We’ll do this one small step at a time. All homework that I ask you to do, I’ve done too. So we’re in it together.

Every time you get your homework, you have the whole weekend to complete it, but the earlier you do it, the better. If you want, you can do it silently, or you can report back. Your call. Ok?

This week there is no homework. We’re only setting it up. But if you want an idea of what HOMEWORK may be like, check out Flinch, which I wrote last year alongside Seth Godin. It’s free.

Or, if you’ve already read it and done some homework, you can comment below.

See you next week.

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Comments

42 responses to “Homework”

  1. Jan Avatar
    Jan

    Did the homework from Flinch…no problem. My sister, however, couldn’t do the second assignment…she was shocked! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Kyle LaFontaine Avatar
    Kyle LaFontaine

    I’m so fucking down for this.

    Reply
  3. Corey Avatar
    Corey

    I’ll admit it. I couldn’t get all the way through Flinch.

    Looking forward to what’s coming, though.

    Reply
  4. Stacey Avatar
    Stacey

    Taking a deep breath…

    Reply
  5. Sweeney Avatar
    Sweeney

    Oh, this will be good.

    Reply
  6. Tsahi Levent-Levi Avatar
    Tsahi Levent-Levi

    Waiting to get some homework here 🙂
    I actually tried to do the homework in The Flinch. Got some of it, but not the really important thing: http://bloggeek.me/how-a-single-book-changed-my-life-or-will/

    Reply
  7. Hadi Avatar
    Hadi

    As long as it doesn’t involve cold showers…

    Reply
  8. todd schnick Avatar
    todd schnick

    that shower was cold….

    Reply
  9. Michael Kent Avatar
    Michael Kent

    cold showers, breaking cups, talking to strangers, volunteering and sharing the good book. the most terrifying for me is strengthening old relationships, even though i actually want to. am i really so afraid to text my old best friend on the other side of the country? kind of, but tough shit, i’m doing it.

    Reply
  10. Eric Avatar
    Eric

    Awesome! Really excited for this.

    Reply
  11. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    Bring it on!

    Reply
  12. FJR Avatar
    FJR

    I’m ready for class!

    Reply
  13. Luke Brekhus Avatar
    Luke Brekhus

    The cold shower homework assignment was quite enlightening. It scared the shit out of me and when I was in there I was freaking out, but when I was done I said “Well that wasn’t so bad.” That’s when I realized that most things that scare the shit out of me aren’t nearly as bad as I think they are.

    Reply
  14. Barry Avatar
    Barry

    This is so good – I’m in.

    Reply
  15. Jonas Ellison Avatar
    Jonas Ellison

    I’ve been taking cold showers 4 days a week for a couple months. The flinch kept me from even trying for 3 months and even though I’m doing it regularly now, I never NOT flinch. It’s never comfortable until after I do it.

    Reply
  16. Rosemary Avatar
    Rosemary

    Did day 5 of cold showers today. I’m in.

    Reply
  17. Ramin Rakhamimov Avatar
    Ramin Rakhamimov

    I gotta say, you’re a real saint — really trying to make a difference in the world!

    I did the cold showers for a week; it was fun while it lasted (even exhilarating!), but decided that the pain was no longer worth it.

    Will look forward to this!

    Reply
  18. Kathryn Avatar
    Kathryn

    I’m so in!

    Reply
  19. Michelle Russell Avatar
    Michelle Russell

    Jonas (#15 above) wrote something really important:

    “…even though I’m doing it regularly now, I never NOT flinch. It’s never comfortable until after I do it.”

    A great reminder that while many things become easiER, they may never become easY. So to expect otherwise is folly.

    Julien, because of you, today (I followed a link in one of your “Best” articles), I’ve just signed up for a 1-day MovNat clinic. Already looking forward to it! 🙂

    Reply
  20. Michae Avatar
    Michae

    Thank you so much Julien! This is a great idea, and I look forward to seeing what the first ‘assignment’ will be!

    Reply
  21. Pedro Mendes Avatar
    Pedro Mendes

    Reading it right now. Can’t wait for next week 🙂

    Reply
  22. HC-Pingviini Avatar
    HC-Pingviini

    I have a very sad and tragic past of which I’m trying my best to heal. Your blog and your book helps me a little. Thank you.

    Reply
  23. David Ballard Avatar
    David Ballard

    I’m in. Let’s do this!

    Reply
  24. Jo-Anne Avatar
    Jo-Anne

    Homework damn I never did homework when I was at school why because I was lazy or should that read too busy watching tv or reading a book to be bothered no I mean have the time to do homework so do you think I am doing it now no bloody way………..the last time I did homework was when my girls were in high school yes I did their homework why because I am a good mummy……..or should that be a soft touch…………lol

    Reply
  25. Andy barge Avatar
    Andy barge

    Yeh baby! Cold showers rock! I agree that each time there is almost a flinch but I have learnt to ignore it as I know on the other side it’s fine.

    Love the Homework Idea. Let’s do this

    Reply
  26. Daniella Avatar
    Daniella

    Talking about cold showers again (because that’s where I’m up to in the Flinch still), I did it today, was exhilarating, though I did end up with some conditioner still left in my hair 😉

    Reply
  27. Ben Terry Avatar
    Ben Terry

    i loved the homework in the flinch, dropping the coffee cup..bring it on

    Reply
  28. Adam Avatar
    Adam

    Can’t wait to get started. Loved the Flinch and especially the line about cold showers: “You convince yourself that it’s pointless, but it isn’t; it’s training.” Amen.

    Reply
  29. James Gummer Avatar
    James Gummer

    I did the cold showers for a week. I’d still flinch now if I took one. I can do it, but I flinch.

    Reply
  30. Michele Welch Avatar
    Michele Welch

    Cool! I’ve always been a good student. Bring it on. ;D

    Reply
  31. camila prada Avatar
    camila prada

    Oh no! What’s all this talk about cold showers? I’m skeered…

    Reply
  32. margie clayman (@margieclayman) Avatar
    margie clayman (@margieclayman)

    The water pipes in my building are entrapping me in doing some homework from The Flinch – taking ice cold showers. I think that’s like cheating on homework because I’m not doing it on purpose 🙂

    Reply
  33. Marion Avatar
    Marion

    Awesome, can’t wait!

    Unfortunately, Amazon won’t let me download The Flinch as I live in France 🙁

    How can I do? Possible to send me a copy by mail??

    Reply
  34. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    genuinely excited about this 🙂

    Reply
  35. Dumitru Avatar
    Dumitru

    Hey, i read your book. it’s awesome! and got me inspired. also you are a big inspiration for me)

    Reply
  36. ralph Avatar
    ralph

    How about you comment on some of your readers comments? Didn’t you say in some friggin interview that people where idiots if they actually tried the stuff you suggested? C`mon own up there buddy. Yer CDN after all aren`t cha…..

    Reply
    1. Julien Avatar
      Julien

      My God, I don’t think that at all.

      Reply
  37. Berni Avatar
    Berni

    Why am I thinking of Fight Club in this moment?

    Reply
  38. Cath Avatar
    Cath

    My brother and I were just discussing on the weekend that one of the things we loved about the Flinch was the call to action/homework aspect of your writing.

    I’m a little scared but so looking forward to the homework. I’ve found both Flinch and your blog to be immensely helpful in becoming more mindful of my thoughts and reactions to things and has helped me challenge myself to fight through the flinch. Thank you!!

    Reply
  39. Tracy Avatar
    Tracy

    Thanks for this homework assignment! I often walk down the street and look at people and no one ever says hi. I modified the homework to sit on a bench near my office (on a college campus) and look up from my phone, for once, and greet people. I was shocked that most smiled and said HI back. It was a great morning!

    Reply
  40. Lorenzo Avatar
    Lorenzo

    Hey Julien,

    I just started reading your blog and I want to personally thank you for all this value you are giving away. This is awesome man, I am so happy I stumbled upon it, this is going to be a life change for me.
    I’m going to start the 1 book a week project tonight. I will also have to do the Homework project. Keep the good juicy stuff coming.

    Reply
  41. Andi-Roo (@theworld4realz) Avatar
    Andi-Roo (@theworld4realz)

    Will be starting the Homework in January 2013 & blogging about my experience with it every Wednesday. Hoping to (a) improve myself and (b) encourage others to come along for the journey. I know I’m a bit late to the game, but thanks for putting this project together. Can’t wait to start! 🙂

    Reply

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