We did it last year, folks.

 

It was dope. Let's do it again.

 

The Tiny Project Challenge is back! It's uplifting. It's totally free to participate. You don't need very much time. And the prizes are very cool. Read on for instructions...

 

. . . 

 

WHAT IS A TINY PROJECT?

 

A tiny project is a very small project that feels beautiful, meaningful, and exciting to you. A project that you can realistically complete in about 25 minutes or less. A project that feels energizing rather than overwhelming. For instance: 

 

* Write a beautiful “thank you” letter to someone who has touched your life.
 

* Make a music playlist. Extra credit: give your playlist a special "theme" or "concept." Ooh, fancy.
 

* Draw a picture of your best friend, take a photo of it, and text it to them. (You're "terrible" at drawing? Perfect. That means the picture will be extra hilarious and wonderful.)
 

* Record a short audio message for a friend who’s going through a hard time. Let them know that they’re loved, that you’re here to listen, and that they’re not alone.

 

. . .

 

WHY DO A TINY PROJECT?

 

In a world that often feels frightening, depressing, and baffling, completing a tiny project is one way to feel a little more powerful. 

 

You have the power to make something beautiful.

 

You can beam positivity into the world like a lighthouse.

 

You can create something small that makes a difference in your day–and that makes a difference in other people’s lives, too.

 

Tiny projects create a big ripple effect.

 

(Also, completing a tiny project is a great way to get your brain unstuck and get your energy flowing...making it easier to complete bigger projects, too. Like doing vocal warm-ups before getting onstage, or stretching before a workout. Tiny things pave the way to big things.)

 

. . .

 

THE TINY PROJECT CHALLENGE: INSTRUCTIONS

 

1. Choose a tiny project that you want to do.

 

Not sure what to do? Here are 15 tiny project ideas.

 

2. Gather your supplies.

 

Postage stamps. Paper. Paint. Nail polish. Gold glitter. Coconut oil. Chocolate chips. Your smartphone audio recording app. Whatever you need to complete your project.

 

3. Finish your project.

 

Do it. Yeeeeeah.

 

4. Take a photo of your project.

 

Send your photo to: hello@alexandrafranzen.com

 

If you want to include a teeny-tiny description of your project (think: 2 sentences) go for it.

 

If you want to share your photo publicly (your blog, newsletter, social media, whatevs) of course, by all means, do it! Seeing your tiny project might inspire someone else to create a tiny project, too. Which is very cool. If you want to mention that the #TinyProjectChallenge was started by Alexandra Franzen (alexandrafranzen.com) it would be nice to include that detail, but if you forget, no big deal.

 

5. Bask in the rewards.

 

Completing a meaningful tiny project is a reward, all by itself!

 

However, a few people who email project photos to hello@alexandrafranzen.com will also win extra prizes–like autographed books, an Aloha Box filled with cool treats from Hawaii, an online writing class that normally costs hundreds of dollars, and more. 

 

To be eligible to win a prize, please send your photo by August 10, 2019. Winners will be notified via email–and announced publicly in this newsletter, too.

 

. . . 

 

THAT'S ALL!

 

Have fun.

 

I can't wait to see your tiny project.

 

I'm sure I'll be staying up laaaaaate at night crying into my laptop and laughing and clutching my pearls and fainting and twerking and trembling and gasping because ART IS AMAZING and YOU ARE SO AWESOME and LOOK WHAT YOU DID and maybe there's HOPE for humanity after all.

 

Let's do this.

 

-Alex

 

PS. Info about The Tiny Project Challenge is right here on my website. Feel free to share that link with anyone you want. Invite your community to join in. Friends. Kids. Clients. Folks at your church, temple, mosque, dojo, yoga shala, book club, drill team, etc. The more tiny projects flooding into the world, the better. <3

 

PPS. I am losing my marbles over this song. I forgot all about it. It's soooo goooood.

 

PPPS. Also, this is an angelic choir doing a cover version of "Yellow" by Coldplay. You are welcome. 

 

PPPPS. I made a 2-hour music playlist filled with my all-time favorite Broadway musical sonnnnngs. Lately I've been driving around town in my VW beetle convertible, top down, blasting West Side Story and singing along (playing both Tony and Maria, of course) and it's really giving me new life.