101 Things in 1001 Days

OK - I guess I am a bit of a copy cat. I was thinking about my "list" and went to my good friend , Google, for help. I can't rememeber exactly what I searched for, but a bunch of "101 things to do in 1001" days came up. So, I decided to look into it.

A lot of what I found were lists of actual things to do or buy or try. But, when I started my list, a lot of my "items" are not so specific. But, I am OK with that. Heck, it is MY list.

This is a description of what the 101 Things to do in 1001 days is all about:

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?: Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.
2. Stay Focussed. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.
3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.
4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.
5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

So, I have started my own list. I am about 1/2 way there to 101. So, here goes.....(in no particular order)

101 Things to do in 1001 days - my list

1. Grow and maintain my nails
2. Plan a “just us” day every month with just me and Colin
3. Have a date night at least once per month - every month
4. Remember that sometimes “good enough” is …well, good enough
5. Make a will
6. Call my grandmother out of the blue - just to tell her I love her
7. Drink more water
8. Walk instead of drive
9. Encourage Colin to learn the guitar (and not guitar hero)
10. Join a book club
11. Remember to stop and smell the roses
12. Visit my local museums
13. Finish an entire Sudoko book - wrong answers or not
14. Invite friends over for a home cooked meal - at least once a month
15. Try to find a red wine that I will actually drink
16. Learn and make 10 new recipes that my family loves
17. Take at least one “just for me” class at the local college
18. Understand football enough to make my own picks for Fantasy Football
19. Send a note by MAIL to someone I am thinking of at the moment
20. Have a neighborhood BBQ and invite the crabby lady across the street
21. Send in my application for the Women’s Crisis Center volunteer program
22. Figure out what looks best on me and not care about what size it is
23. Buy clothes for my current size, not the size I think I still fit into
24. Travel to a state that I have never been to before
25. Start a new family tradition
26. Learn all the phone numbers that are saved in my cell phone
27. Go to see a Broadway play (or other NYC show), at least once a year
28. Learn to knit or crochet
29. Write a compliment letter ever time I receive great service AND mail it
30. Go to Las Vegas
31. Pay for the toll of the person behind me - at least once a year
32. Make 2 weeks of meals in one day and freeze them
33. Go to bed late once a week just to spend more time with my husband
34. Make a complete list of birthdays of all the cousins (and their kids).
35. Call above on their birthday
36. Post on my blog at least 3 times a week
37. Go away for the weekend by myself - just a me vacation
38. Get really dressed up and invite friends over for a fancy cocktail party
39. Learn how to skip stones
40. Re-learn to make stained glass
41. Surprise someone when it is not their birthday
42. Pay cash for all purchase for a whole month
43. Take a long distance road trip
44. Invite someone from church for an after service lunch
45. Blow-dry my hair for work at least once a week
46. Send a local family in need a donation just because
47. Learn to stop rolling my eyes
48. Write a letter to let my son know how much I love him
49. Meet Colin’s step-mother

I am going to make a separate blog of this list and update it has times goes by.