My wife and I have four sons, and like most families we are finding ways to keep us all engaged at home. As Brandon Lewandowski stated in is recent Director's Note on "The Mental Game" we are looking for ways to keep our spirits up and our minds sharp. So my son Nate, age 11, introduced us to what he calls the "Family Challenge" which we started this last Sunday night. As Brandon mentioned, you want to make sure you are engaging your brain just as much as your body and many of us have those outlets. For me and my two sons, its drawing and art. For my other son, Ben, it's working out and cutting lawns. 

For my other son Sean, its reading books and playing guitar. And for my wife its reading.

But I like Nate's "Family Challenge" as it introduces a new level to that activity and offers growth in mental toughness. Because that is what mental toughness is. It's taking on a new challenge, growing from that challenge, and then using that new experience as fuel for future experiences. So I found Nate's new "Family Challenge" a perfect fit for this time at home to give us a new spirit and fresh look.

Nate's "Family Challenge" works like this. Once a week the family gets together and assigns new challenges for other family members. If that family member completes the challenge then they get 50 points (we are a competitive family so this is our fuel - Points!). Each family member will have 3 challenges to complete with the following expectations. 

First the challenge needs to be a single challenge that can be completed once or more during that week. The challenge needs to promote growth and development and not be punitive in nature. For instance, if one is on their iPad too much, then a challenge will not be a day without an iPad as that doesn't accomplish much. It's what you do to replace that time that is important. So instead, one might suggest that you would not use your iPad on a certain day and instead write a story. The writing of the story is the challenge. We tried to take what we were comfortable with and then extend that skill set or passion into a new direction. For instance I gave my son Nate, who likes to draw, the challenge of drawing a self-portrait with his opposite hand. So where is the growth? My old basketball coach had us shoot baskets with our opposite hand, especially three throws. By using your non-dominate hand, you really had to focus on technique. That focus and development of skill then transferred to your dominate hand as well.

Likewise, Nate challenge me to do a drawing upside down. Again a new perspective on a comfortable skill to expand that mindset and skill. Some other challenges in our family were: learn a new song on the harmonica, juggle, read a new book, and teach our dog Charleigh a new trick. This has been a fun experience for our family and I encourage you to introduce a new activity or challenge into your family. It will make you grow, laugh, and enjoy the time at home together.