5 tips for success in your #36daysoftype challenge

Been there, done that. Here is my take on how to take the maximum out of that great challenge.

I love challenges. But I hate discomfort. So each year when I learn about the launch date of the #36daysoftype challenge, I want to do it but at the same time I feel the stress of having to do it. But let’s be honest: each time I do it, or each time I do a challenge in general (I have done 3 times #100daysoflettering challenge), it helps me improve my skills, develop my creativity and at the end gives me confidence in what I do.

Today, I would like to share with you some tips on how I tend to manage that particular 36 days of type challenge. This year I won’t do it unfortunately for logistics reasons. I am away for 14 days, I will be mostly away from the internet too, so it is too hard to organize it. And I feel like if you plan the challenge too much in advance, you lose part of its benefits. And that’s my first tip.

1. Don’t plan too much in advance and embrace discomfort

I know many people plan in advance their 36dot challenge. Everything is ready before the launch date. I totally understand that. Many people do complexe work and it is mostly impossible to do it from scratch everyday with the same quality. But is it a challenge anymore? I think so, but a slightly different one. In this post I will focus on how I managed each of my #36daysoftype challenges by creating and posting each day.

A few letters of my 2022 challenge. I did not plan to do it. I just showed up for A and stayed 36 days haha :D

What I like about doing the challenge each day for 36 days is that you are going to totally embrace your creativity. And this is really hard. I struggle so much at accepting the discomfort that goes with it. You have to sit down each day and try to create your best letter. It’s really hard, but this is also part of that wonderful creative journey you enter. And you can have that feeling only or mostly only on doing it each day of the challenge. You and your creativity, alone to find you best letter. Go express yourself and feel the adrenaline.

2. Embrace failure

Another reason why many people do the challenge in advance is because they can control the quality and consistency of their work. No risk to fail. Again I totally understand that. Instagram can be cruel if you fail. But again, facing that fear of failure can really improve your relationship with social medias and Instagram in particular.

Alphabet of my 2020 challenge which will become later my Cuatro font

I started my #100daysoflettering challenges by producing lettering each day and posting my work done even if it sucks. And even if it was difficult at the beginning, I did gain a lot in confidence by posting stuff that sometimes were not good. I did not feel the need to post something perfect anymore. And at the end, it helped me explore new horizons, new imperfect or experimental ways to draw letters. Today, I have the style I have thanks to that process. Otherwise, I would still be here trying to please everyone and do fancy/trending stuff to get maximum of likes and followers.

My 2021 challenge was an opportunity for me to work on digital with textures and grain

So yes, producing a good letter a day is hard but it is also ok if some days, you fail at having the same quality or consistency. You try, you give your best and failure is also part of the deal. You don’t have to be perfect. F*ck Instagram for that.

3. Do your own thing

Don’t play the algorithm game. You will lose every time. Engagement is so bad now on Instagram that your post may be lost in the thousands of daily submissions. Yes, the 36 days of type challenge is an opportunity for visibility. Especially if the official account posts your work. But don’t play the algorithm game. Play for yourself. Do your own thing. Trust but also enjoy the process. This is important to enjoy the challenge. So take that opportunity to try things you like, not to please a maximum of people.

First try in 2018 but failed after 3 days. I learnt a lot that time.

When I started to explore my own creativity I did post things that I liked a lot but I was so afraid of how people would react. But I was proud of my work, and I wanted to share it, whether people like it or not. This is exactly what doing a challenge helped me to do. To do my own thing, explore my creativity, find my own style and not focus on what people will think about what I published. I know it is not easy, it is really not, but be sure you go in that direction.

Your community will find you. Dont’ do the opposite.

4. Plan your challenge

Let’s say you decide to embrace the whole thing and decided to do it daily and not in advance. First of all, congratulations! You will probably suffer but damn you will be proud at the end!

One thing important to do is to plan a period of time everyday where you can do your challenge. Many people say that your best creativity strikes in the morning. I totally agree with that. You are more energized and present. So why not start your work day with your challenge? How much time to plan? It is up to you to decide. It depends on what kind of challenge you want to do. Some will need half an hour and others 2 hours ? But plan that time. This is really important in order to succeed. Otherwise, there might be too many days where you can’t post.

2021 was probably the most difficult one because a lot to do each day and I did not plan anything in advance. But wow it did improve my skills and style SO MUCH!

If you are an employee, it can be difficult to find the time. Maybe during the lunch break, you can take the time to do it?

The evening is another solution but it never worked for me. Starting the day with drawing or creating really helped me having a more positive day and a more relaxed one where I did not have to think “Damn I am so busy at work and I still have that challenge to do….”. That is the best way to fail and stop the challenge.

So, try to find the best moment of your day to do your letter. And if after a few days it does not seem quite the best moment to create, find another one :)

5. Dont think too much

Many times your brain is going to tell you what you do is shit, that this is too complicated to manage, that blablablabla. I am sure many of you relate with that. I know that feeling very well too. It is there everyday. But f*ck it. You are stronger than this voice. Again, this challenge is a great opportunity for you, on many reasons. Don’t let that voice take you down. So don’t put too much pressure on you. Try to do something simple maybe. Something you feel like attainable. Yes, this is a challenge, but keep the fun out of it. If you put too much pressure on you, everyday that voice will be there to tell you that is too much, and it will become more and more difficult to manage the challenge and to enjoy it. So keep it simple. you will feel more confident and your inner self will let you do your thing. Or at least, will be less powerful.

Oh, and it’s ok if some days you cannot post. That is totally ok. Don’t step out. Just continue.

I actually planned to release these letters as a font but was not sure it would meet its public so it is still not finished :(

I think this is it with my tips. Again, just enjoy the challenge, relax and have fun. Do it for you first and you will do a huge step forward in your style/work. Believe me, these challenges are fantastic opportunities.

So if you have time, do the #36daysoftype challenge. Take it easy. Show up everyday even if it sucks. It is also ok if you miss a few days. At the end, you will see your work and your relation with it and the social medias change for sure. Just like Austin Kleon would say, “you will suck less!” haha :D

Looking forward what you will be creating. Exciting times ahead!!

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Take care and enjoy the Eastern weekend!

Francis