Tell us a story: marathon

Have you ever run a marathon? If not, what else have you done that required an extended period of continuous effort? 

Learning (4)

What hard-won knowledge do you wish you could have learned more easily? 

Tell us a story: superhero caregiver

What is something out of the ordinary that you had to do to take care of a family member, friend, pet, or some other being that needed help?

Year ending, year beginning (5)

What is something you put off in 2012 that you plan to do in 2013?

Highlights of 2012 (1)

What was your biggest challenge this year?

Out of the comfort zone (4)

Of all the people in your life, who most often gets you to try challenging new things? 

Out of the comfort zone (2)

What's one new thing you'd love to give a try, especially if you could somehow skip the awkward period of starting out as a complete beginner?

Better luck next time

What was something you tried recently with disappointing results?

Walking the talk

Some people speak of specific values but don't follow those same values in their own behavior.  Among the people you know, who struggles with a mismatch between their words and their actions?  In your own life, what is one thing you believe in, even though you sometimes find it a challenge to put it into action?

This week's theme is values.

Obstacle course

We always prefer to avoid frustration — or do we? There are many puzzles, games, and sports challenges that are deliberately packed full of obstacles, and we enjoy them all the more. What are some "frustrating" forms of recreation that you enjoy? And what's the difference that makes some experiences aggravations and others entertainment?

This week's theme is frustrations.

Tell us a story: a hard nut to crack

What was one puzzle or problem that looked like a simple one to solve, but turned out to be much more difficult and complicated once you got started on it?

Patience

What is one example of a situation where patience definitely paid off for you?

Tell us a story: stubborn

What was one time when you wouldn't accept defeat — when you kept trying again, after any reasonable person would have given up?

Your first reaction

Some people seek out advice. Some try to research and analyze the situation. Some complain loudly to whoever seems to be in charge. What is the tactic that you typically turn to first when things slip out of control?

This week's theme is control.

Control

When key things are out of your control, it's easy to feel stressed and unhappy. But being a "control freak," trying to control everything, doesn't work out well either. In your life right now, what is the common thread that runs through most of your stressful, out-of-control situations?

This week's theme is control.

When the going gets tough

What is one not-so-obvious character trait or personal habit that makes it easier for you to get through difficult times?

This week's theme is hidden strengths.

Call for backup

Who is your best person overall to turn to for help when you have something difficult to handle?

This week's theme is hidden strengths.

Tell us a story: up against Goliath

What was one time when everyone saw you as the underdog, but you won the game or competition anyway?

Vibes good and bad

Do you generally feel nurtured and valued at your workplace, and that you are given the psychological space to do your best work? Or are you at cross purposes with your co-workers at all times, fending off subtle (or not-so-subtle) attacks on your professionalism?

This week's theme is your workplace.

Science fiction double feature

Have you ever felt so different from a group you were part of that you might as well have been an alien? How did you cope with it? Did you keep apart from the others, reveling in your strangeness, or did you make an effort to fit in, to blend with the native population?

This week's theme is your life as a movie.