The list.

The list. The entire reason for this blog. I can't remember what exactly led me to this list, but it's definitely done wonderful things for me. I researched it for a while before I decided to make the list. And then it took a while to actually come up with 101 things that I could do in 1001 days. Which is a little less than 3 years. I finally took the plunge and haven't looked back. I have learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of. I have realized I will fail some of these lists, but I tried, and really that is all that matters. I encourage you to try this list. Or to come up with something of your own.

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 (17/33)
2. Go to at least 3 Mustang games a month (in season - 3 summer seasons) (2/3)
3. Take a good picture of us each month (15/33)
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 (2/6)
7. Write George once every month (13/33)
8. Visit Nana more frequently (02.08.09, 05.10.09, 06.12-14-.09, 08.03-06.09)
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 (2/3)

Being Crafty
12. Meet with Photographer to finish Wedding Album (send list 02.06.09, received draft 02.27.09, received final 05.07.09)
13. Finish rolls of film on table/underwater cameras (2/4)
14. Develop table/underwater cameras (2/4)
15. Scrapbook Wedding (started 04.05.10)
16. Scrapbook Honeymoon (02.21.2010)
17. Call Videographer and get Wedding Video fixed
18. Back up pictures once a month (8/33)
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 (Jan/Feb 2010)
24. Take Buddy for walks 2x a week for two months straight (Mar/April 10)
25. Get eye exam (2.27.09)
26. Get new glasses (2.27.09)
27. Go to the dentist (01.06.10)
28. Stop picking at the skin around my nails
29. Take my vitamins once a day for one month twice (0/2)
30. Do 50 sit ups a day for one month twice (0/2)
31. Learn CPR (05.04.09)
32. Try a Yoga class at the Gym (gym membership canceled 11.05.09)
33. Try one other class at the Gym (gym membership canceled 11.05.09)
34. Floss daily for two months straight (Jan/Feb 2010)


For the love of food
35. Make 1 meal a month (7/33)
36. Try new food once a month (18/33)
37. Avoid fast food for one month
38. Learn how to make stuffed French Toast (04.23.09)
39. Go Wine Tasting (08.22.09 - Tarara Winery)
40. Learn how to use chopsticks (04.19.09)

To keep my mind active
41. Finish Twilight Series (3/3) (03.04.09)
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 (1/5)
46. Learn one new word a day (559/1001) (as of 1 August 10)
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 (03.22.09)
52. Stick to budget
53. Pay off Credit Cards/Loan (9/11)
54. Save for Down payment for home (home bought 06.23.10)
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 (04.11.10)
62. Play tourist in DC (04.04.09; 09.12.09; 10.25.09, 04.03.10, 05.15.10)
63. Go to the beach (07.04.10, Topsail with Candace)
64. Visit an amusement park
65. Visit at least 2 new states (and not just driving thru!) (1/2 - Georgia, 07.10)
66. Pick a place within 2 hours and spend the day there (6.09.09)
67. Go to a Fair (10.02-03.09)

Because I want stuff
68. Get a DSLR camera (11.27.09)
69. Get Wii Fit (02.03.09)
70. Get a sewing machine
71. Buy our first home (contract to build - 11.23.09, settlement - 06.23.10)
72. Buy the rest of the Friends Series
73. Buy a Mac

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 6 months (2/6)

Organize my life
78. File bills and discard unnecessary ones
79. Organize recipes into a recipe binder(s) (02.01.09)
80. Organize Office
81. Organize scrapbooking supplies in one place (03.21.09)
82. Clean out car once a month (6/33)


For Fun
83. Take picture in photo booth (04.04.09)
84. Learn how to fly a kite (03.07.09)
85. Play the lotto once a month (8/33)
86. Watch 10 of AFIs top 100 movies that I haven’t seen (5/10)
87. Beat 1 of the video games I own (SMB Wii 05.27.10)

For Others
88. Donate unwanted clothes to charity every 6 months (2/6)
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 (6/33)
92. Read the Bible
93. Update resume every 6 months (3/6)
94. Identify 100 things that make me happy (35/100)
95. Quit smoking (11.09.09)
96. Get new passport with married name
97. Identify 25 things I like about myself (10/25)
98. Find something positive in each day (238/1001) (as of 1 June 10)
99. Buy something special for myself
100. Make a list of 101 things to do before I die (10/101)
101. Begin my Master’s Program (possibly finish depending on how long the program is and when I start)