101 in 1001. Day Zero.

...or really day 2 since I started yestereday.

So I have decided to go ahead and give this 101 in 1001 mission a shot. I mean how hard can it be, I created the list. Well we will just have to wait and see, and this blog will be capturing all the events along the way because #42 just so happens to be blog about my list.

You can keep up with my list over there on the side. It will also be in this post, but I won't be updating it in the post only on the side.

I think this will be enjoyable. I'm pretty excited to start. This list took me days to write, and then I had to edit it a little bit. I took a few things off and added some "cooler" goals in their place. Actually, I think I added easier goals because some of these goals scare me. Some of them I have seriously been meaning to do for quite some time and just haven't found the time. I can find the time to sit around all evening and do absolutely nothing, but I can't find the time to actually be productive. So, I'm forcing myself to be productive with this list. That's the point of this for me. That and doing things I've always wanted to do but never had the motivation to do. So we'll see how it goes.

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 organizing 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 Focused. 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.


The Legend
Italics – in process
Bold – completed

Start date
1.14.2009

End date
10.12.2011

The List

Because I love my husband
1. Go on a date once a month (0/33)
2. Go to at least 3 Mustang games a month (in season)
3. Take a good picture of us each month (0/33)
4. Change my name on all the credit cards
5. Get Life Insurance for us both

Because I love my family
6. Have at least 6 Mother/Daughter Days (0/6)
7. Write George once every month (0/33)
8. Visit Nana more frequently
9. Go fishing with Dad at least once a month when its warm (0/8)
10. Ask Dad to re-teach me to shoot
11. Visit grandparents graves at least once a year (0/3)

Being Crafty
12. Meet with Photographer to finish Wedding Album
13. Finish rolls of film on table cameras
14. Develop table cameras
15. Scrapbook Wedding
16. Scrapbook Honeymoon
17. Call Videographer and get Wedding Video fixed
18. Back up pictures once a month (0/33)
19. Take at least 1 photo for each item completed if possible
20. Scrapbook photos from 101 list
21. Digitalize photos from before I had a digital camera
22. Get all old photos from Mom and Dads house

Getting Healthy
23. Exercise 3x a week for two months straight
24. Take Buddy for walks 2x a week for two months straight
25. Get eye exam
26. Get new glasses
27. Go to the dentist
28. Stop picking at the skin around my nails
29. Take my vitamins once a day (0/1001)
30. Do 50 sit ups a day for one month (0/30)
31. Learn CPR
32. Try a Yoga class at the Gym
33. Try one other class at the Gym
34. Floss daily

For the love of food
35. Try 1 new recipe a month (0/33)
36. Try new food once a month (0/33)
37. Avoid fast food for one month
38. Learn how to make stuffed French Toast
39. Go Wine Tasting
40. Learn how to use chopsticks

To keep my mind active
41. Finish Twilight Series (0/3)
42. Blog about my list
43. Take Photography classes
44. Write a short story
45. Read 5 classic novels from Time’s All Time 100 Novel’s List I haven’t read (0/5)
46. Learn one new word a day (0/1001)
47. Find a Sign Language class in the area and take it
48. Finish one of the stories I have already started
49. Finish a book of Sudoku puzzles and date each puzzle when finished
50. Take a Proposal Management course

Who doesn’t want more money!
51. Finish Budget
52. Stick to budget
53. Pay off Credit Cards/Loan (0/11)
54. Save for Down payment for home
55. Put $5 in savings for each completed task, and $10 for each uncompleted one.
56. Keep track of spending for 1 month
57. Save all change for duration of list and cash when complete
58. Start a retirement fund
59. Take a financial management course

Let’s go on an adventure
60. Visit NYC with Steve
61. Drive down Skyline
62. Play tourist in DC
63. Go to the beach
64. Visit an amusement park
65. Visit at least 2 new states (and not just driving thru!) (0/2)
66. Pick a place within 2 hours and spend the day there
67. Go to a State Fair

Because I want stuff
68. Get a DSLR camera
69. Get Wii Fit
70. Get a sewing machine
71. Buy our first home
72. Buy the rest of the Friends Series
73. Buy a Mac with cash

For my closet
74. Take pants to get altered (0/10)
75. Take BM dress to get altered and cleaned
76. Take Wedding dress to get cleaned and preserved
77. Clean out closet every season

Organize my life
78. File bills and discard unnecessary ones
79. Organize recipes into a recipe binder(s)
80. Organize Office
81. Organize scrapbooking supplies in one place
82. Clean out car once a month (0/33)

For Fun
83. Take picture in photo booth
84. Learn how to fly a kite
85. Play the lotto once a month (0/33)
86. Watch 10 of AFIs top 100 movies that I haven’t seen (0/10)
87. Beat 1 of the video games I own

For Others
88. Donate unwanted clothes to charity every 6 months (0/6)
89. Grow out my hair and donate 12 inches to Locks of Love

For me
90. Master five of these skills (http://abundance-blog.marelisa-online.com/2008/05/15/75-skills-every-woman-should-master-the-first-25/) (0/5)
91. Write down something I am grateful for once a month (0/33)
92. Read the Bible
93. Update resume every 6 months (0/6)
94. Identify 100 things that make me happy (0/100)
95. Quit smoking
96. Get new passport with married name
97. Identify 25 things I like about myself (0/25)
98. Find something positive in each day (0/1001)
99. Buy something special for myself
100. Make a list of 101 things to do before I die (0/101)
101. Begin my Master’s Program (possibly finish depending on how long the program is and when I start)