Sunday, November 1, 2009

Eleventy-One in 1001

I have seen several lists on different blogs lately and decided to look into what they were all about. Day Zero started a movement years back that involves making a list of quantifiable and realistic goals for yourself. The lists are 101 items long and you have 1001 days to complete them. Here is what Day Zero has to say about it:

The Challenge:
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 your part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. 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, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

So, since I have been on a bit of a quest of self improvement lately, this seemed to be right up my alley! It took me a while to come up with 101 goals. Then, once I reached 101, I thought of some more. So, here is my list of eleventy-one goals that I will be trying to complete before July 29, 2012. I will update the goals weekly as I complete or am working on each. I will eventually have a link in the sidebar to get directly to this post if you would like to check up on me! LOL As I complete goals I will make them bold. Any that I am in the process of working on will be highlighted in blue.

  1. Implement a laundry plan

  2. Exercise at least 3 days per week for 30 minutes (0/429)

  3. Clean out and organize closet

  4. Sell or donate all old baby clothes

  5. Finish cataloging DVDs

  6. Catalog books and organize on shelves

  7. Pedicure once a month (0/33)

  8. Implement cleaning schedule

  9. Update address book

  10. Start a price book

  11. Finally go on our Honeymoon – Vegas or a cruise

  12. Make a recipe book for Jenna

  13. Finish teaching Jenna to drive so she can get her license

  14. Give away 7 of the 9 cats (0/7)

  15. Get two remaining cats fixed (0/2)

  16. Walk or Run a 5k marathon

  17. Reach my goal weight of 150 pounds

  18. Quit smoking

  19. Lower BP enough to come off of meds

  20. Implement a savings plan

  21. Research adoption laws for step parent adoption

  22. Write one snail mail letter each month to family (0/33)

  23. Visit Tupelo and Vicksburg before we move away from MS

  24. Grow blog followers to at least 100

  25. Write at least 5 articles per week for pay (0/715)

  26. Write a budget

  27. Get credit checks for me and DH

  28. Make a list for debt snowball

  29. Learn to knit

  30. Knit a Doctor Who scarf for DH

  31. Teach myself to quilt

  32. Quilt the three blankets my mom started and gave to me to finish (0/3)

  33. Learn yoga

  34. Set up iPod station/ speakers in kitchen

  35. Drink more water

  36. Stop drinking soda

  37. Cut out caffeine

  38. Make a master list of craft projects I want to complete

  39. Work on one craft project each month (0/33)

  40. Finish potty training kid #2

  41. Potty train kid #3

  42. Finish my MBA

  43. Get a new (to me) car

  44. Blog 3 days out of 5 each week (0/429)

  45. Go through old garage sale boxes. Donate or throw away everything.

  46. Move boys into separate rooms

  47. Get rid of at least ½ of all the boys' toys. Donate/sell/trash.

  48. Go through children's books and organize

  49. Build a second garden box

  50. Learn to can

  51. Learn to make really great risotto

  52. Buy a back scratcher

  53. Find a back washing tool that actually works good

  54. Go through the rest of the still packed boxes of junk. Unpack/throw away.

  55. Go through piles of old cords, electrical stuff. Organize/throw away.

  56. Buy myself a laptop

  57. Clean up and organize my favorites links on the PC

  58. Read at least 20 books from this list that I have never read before (0/20)

  59. Read 100 new books (not from the list on #58) (0/100)

  60. Listen to one new band each month (0/33)

  61. Have date night with hubby once a month (0/33)

  62. Get a family membership to the YMCA

  63. Swimming lessons for #2 and #3

  64. Take the kids to Animal Kingdom

  65. Take the kids to Sea World

  66. Travel to Gatlinburg, TN

  67. Sew a lap quilt for my Meme

  68. Sew lap quilt for Mom

  69. Sew lap quilt for MIL

  70. Work on learning to meditate

  71. Spend alone time at least once a month (0/33)

  72. Make a list of books I want to buy new copies of

  73. Grow pumpkins for Halloween

  74. Set up a cookbook of favorites in Mastercook

  75. Go camping with #1 in a tent

  76. Learn to do origami

  77. Take the kids on a picnic at least 4 times each year (0/12)

  78. Go to the zoo once a month (0/33)

  79. Make homemade play dough with the kids

  80. Make homemade gingerbread

  81. Start one new Christmas tradition each year (0/3)

  82. Try one new herbal tea each month for a year (0/12)

  83. Go to a concert or music festival once a year (0/3)

  84. Try one new food or new dish each month (0/33)

  85. Wake up one hour early each day for a month (0/30)

  86. Have one unplugged day each month. No computer. (0/33)

  87. Do something romantic for or with hubby at least once a month (0/33)

  88. Learn at least 10 new words each month in FRENCH (0/330)

  89. Make one truly awesome and decadent dessert each month. No calorie counting! (0/33)

  90. Watch all 50 of the top cult movies on this list (0/50)

  91. Buy a new camera

  92. Do a detox/ body cleanse

  93. Write to my Father once a month (0/33)

  94. Visit the farm for a hayride/ corn maize/ pumpkin picking grand old time

  95. Participate in bookcrossings.com and send out 15 books (0/25)

  96. Participate in postcrossings.com and send out 25 post cards (0/25)

  97. Learn to belly dance

  98. Take a strip tease class/ DVD class and then dance for hubby

  99. Buy all new lingerie/ night wear

  100. Get a new tattoo

  101. Take the kids on a train trip

  102. Take #1 to Rocky Horror

  103. Complete the Couch to 5K workout

  104. Complete the 30 day shred

  105. Complete NaNoWriMo once

  106. Explore my spirituality

  107. Write my will

  108. Implement a recycling program for home

  109. Take pictures of myself/ have hubby take pics

  110. Dye my hair black again – with blue highlights

  111. Make a new 11-1 list before the end of this one

9 comments:

Alisa said...

That's a great list! Theres a website called 43things.com (pretty sure) that is the same concept. but it is also a community of people supporting others' goals. Some people even get together to accomplish them...like skydiving. You may like that one too. The first one on MY list is to MAKE THE LIST! Haha. Love and hugs and miss you bunches!

Margaret said...

Love this idea, I might do this too! You have an award from me for your your blog. Here is the link to pick it up

http://lollipopsandpickles.blogspot.com/2009/10/well-overdue-blog-award-recognition.html
have a great week!

Lisa said...

I love the list and figured I'd help on making your followers reach 100.

Also, in Tupelo if you go, there's the Elvis Museum, the Car museum but by far, my favorite was the buffalo park. It's a zoo kinda. But they have giraffes that you can pet and feed. Let me tell ya, it was AWESOME!! I loved them! and so did the kids.

Just so you know I will probably copy this idea. So thanks in advance:)

Anonymous said...

That is really cool and really overwhelming! I am a huge list maker.

You should add a new one: Make a list and then you could have something to cross off!

I am now following you too.

Tamara said...

Hi Tracy,
Thank for visiting my blog! I absolutely love your list and you are motivating me to do the same. LOL I need too, life is just too short and before you know it, it passes you by.
I'm following you also. :)
http://www.homespunheartscandles.blogspot.com

Veronica Lee said...

Hi! I'm visiting from MBC. Great blog.

Unknown said...

Wow. One thing on your list that jumps out to me is stop drinking coke. I really wish I could do it. I was down to about 2 -3 a week, but then went right back to it.

I'm gonna have to try to make me a list, but I'm like you, I don't know if I COULD make that list!

Brianne said...

This is such a good idea. I make lists all the time but for daily tasks, packing, shopping. Will have to give it a try!

The Black Sheep said...

This is an awesome list, and idea!! I think I may start something like this in 2010!