Monday, December 29, 2008

101 Things to do in 1001 Days

Instead of New Year's resolutions, I thought I would attempt 101 Things to do in 1001 Days.

Here's how it works:


The Mission:
Complete 101 pre-set 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 organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Goal setting tips
  • Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.
  • Stay Focused. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.
  • 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.
  • Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.
  • Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.
The official timeline for my 101 is 1/1/09 through 9/29/11. If you'd like to try this, it doesn't have to be a New Year's start; that just worked out for me. You can start any date you like, or set it up to end on a momentous date, i.e. a milestone birthday or anniversary.

ADDENDUM:  You're supposed to strike through the goals you've accomplished once that happens.  Because I am challenged in this area, I will change the text color to red once a goal is completed.  For goals that are ongoing, such as church attendance and poop patrol, once they have been successfully done for two months, I will change that text color to blue.  Make sense?

Here are my 101 in no particular order:
  1. re-learn crochet
  2. lose 30 pounds
  3. maintain said weight loss for remainder of 1001 days
  4. blow the dust off my exercise ball and band set and start using them
  5. attempt waterskiing
  6. attend church at least twice a month
  7. start a Christmas Club account
  8. finish Lily’s scrapbook
  9. attend a production at IRT
  10. attend a production at Beef ‘n Boards
  11. attend a production at The Murat
  12. find a long term volunteer opportunity to become passionate about
  13. learn to dive
  14. get all pictures on computer copied to CDs
  15. re-do Robin’s bedroom
  16. re-do main bath
  17. re-do master bath
  18. new kitchen counters
  19. install organizer in bedroom closet
  20. visit Indiana State Museum
  21. visit Indianapolis Museum of Art
  22. get family pictures from Mom copied
  23. learn to use some sort of photoshop-type software
  24. get some sort of sun damage treatment done on my face
  25. use sunscreen
  26. take an out-of-state weekend trip by myself
  27. climb Mount Baldy
  28. do front yard poop patrol at least once a week
  29. enroll Ringo in obedience class
  30. get Lola’s teeth cleaned
  31. spend a day with Lily in Broad Ripple
  32. balance checkbook every week
  33. clean out the attic
  34. spend a day at the spa
  35. visit a winery
  36. go to a high school basketball game
  37. buy some good bras
  38. figure out my iPod
  39. visit the Eli Lilly Home
  40. buy a cupcake from The Flying Cupcake
  41. go to England
  42. buy something at a thrift store
  43. call Dad once a week
  44. visit Crown Hill Cemetery
  45. go duckpin bowling
  46. go camping
  47. go to an apple orchard or U-pick produce farm
  48. go to an IMAX movie
  49. ride the carousel at the Children’s Museum
  50. birdwatch
  51. go to a farmers’ market
  52. use the firepit on the deck
  53. reconnect with an old friend
  54. plant a tree
  55. go hiking in a state park I haven’t been to in at least a year
  56. go boating somewhere other than Lieber or Glenn Flint
  57. attend work-related seminar or class
  58. try sushi
  59. buy a wig
  60. clean carpets quarterly
  61. do something with Grandma’s quilt pieces
  62. actually go someplace to watch 4th of July fireworks
  63. buy a basket for my bike
  64. have a fire in the fireplace
  65. repair loveseat cushion
  66. say the Rosary at church
  67. go on a carriage ride downtown
  68. participate in a 5k
  69. make pasta from scratch
  70. have a Christmas open house
  71. grow my own tomatoes
  72. wear glasses for a week
  73. whiten my teeth
  74. record every penny I spend for one week
  75. make ice cream
  76. donate blood every 56 days or so
  77. buy more sheets
  78. new carpet in family room
  79. write a thank you letter for product or services
  80. host a ladies’ night at Creative Escape
  81. visit the Metropolitan Community Church
  82. find a signature perfume
  83. re-do my blog so IE users can view
  84. make 70s cheesy music CD for Farmer
  85. attend an away Colts game
  86. buy a t-shirt from nataliedee.com
  87. make homemade doughnuts
  88. attend a Switzerland County First Friday
  89. sign up for a water aerobics class
  90. refrain from shopping at Walmart for one month
  91. invite Tom over for pork chops olé
  92. complete a 500-piece (at least) jigsaw puzzle
  93. play bingo at the Legion
  94. finish cross stitch project given to me by Betty
  95. make caramels - successfully
  96. get home wireless mess figured out
  97. play Fantasy Football
  98. go vegetarian for one week
  99. complete my Everybody Loves Raymond and Seinfeld DVD collections
  100. for every completed goal, $5 goes into a fund for a TBD charity
  101. inspire at least one other person to start a 101 list

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love your list!! Awesome!!

Anonymous said...

Yay! I finally got on your blog! Somehow AOL has decided it will not permit me to come via their software and kept giving me an internet error message (blaming it on Internet Explorer - bitches). Turns out, I got to you just fine using Internet Explorer.

So good to see you again!

I love your list and am thinking of compiling my own. It's probably harder than it looks, but I'm thinking it's also gotta be fun to just sit and dream up doable things.

Thanks for visiting Casa Hice so faithfully and for leaving your messages once in awhile. I love your blog and consider it an honor hearing from you.

Happy New Year!

Alix

Anonymous said...

haha! this list is awesome! I even am in it! That's what made it so awesome. :) Good luck!

-farmer

Anonymous said...

A wig??? I love your hair. What kind of wig do you want?

BTW, this is an awesome thing to do (i.e., compile a list). I think I might try that myself. A few of your items, I want to look up to see what or where they are.

Karen

Anonymous said...

ahem...I will explain the wig at a later date...

If you decide to do this let me know! I'd love to see your list, plus I'll need to put $5 aside for the TBD charity!!

Anonymous said...

Alix,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such kind words. You rock! I will be checking your blog to see if you start a 101 in 1001.

Anonymous said...

I know exactly what the wig is for!!!!!! DK

Anonymous said...

DK, I think I'm gonna get sick.

Anonymous said...

Old people need love (or a reasonable facsimile), too!

Anonymous said...

C, you can climb my Mt. Baldy anytime you want.

Anonymous said...

As long as I don't get sand in my crotch!

Anonymous said...

first of all, my bedroom is staying :p second, i told ash that it said get lolas teeth cleaned and she goes, "lola's teeth or lily's teeth??" haha. you inspired ashley to make one. and me too. whats your TBD charity?? and lastly, i wish i was in it :'(

Anonymous said...

First of all, I'll make the room something you would like. Secondly, Ashley is a nut.
Thirdly, I still haven't decided on the charity. TBD is To Be Determined.
Lastly, you can do any of those with me that you think sound fun. I was thinking of you when I said "visit England."

Anonymous said...

well... i figured the england thing was for me. but lilys gonna be there :/