101 Things in 1001 Days

"All the Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
Layin’ in the sun,
Talkin’ bout the things
They woulda-coulda-shoulda done…
But those Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
All ran away and hid
From one little did.”
~ Shel Silverstein

Today I am another year older. To celebrate my twenty-six years on the earth, I did many things…including being sung Happy Birthday by the entire Cracker Barrel staff & finally attacking my teaching mess all over our house! (I know, it sounds so exciting, doesn’t it?). In addition to that, I sat down to think about the next few years...

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days (2.75 years). Think personal Scavenger Hunt. Some of tasks will be easier to accomplish than others; some will be things that I was already planning to do but hadn’t gotten around to yet; some will be things that I’ve wanted to do but never seriously looked into.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic & stretching.

Why 1001 Days? 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.

Start date: Monday, November 5, 2007
End Date: Monday, August 2, 2010

Benefiting Others:
1. Volunteer my time for something I’m passionate about. (Update: Contacted & set-up volunteering at my old school – I can’t wait to start!)
2. Make a donation to support my local community (supplies, $, time, etc).
3. Make a donation to my global community (supplies, $, time, etc).
4. Renew my CPR certification.
5. 5 random acts of kindness without recognition. (In Progress: 3/5)

Benefiting Myself:
6. Do 1 nice for myself without regret or second-guessing.
7. Drink 30 to 60 ounces of water a day for 30 days. (Completed 6/25/2008)
8. Work out 3 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. (Completed 6/30/2008)
9. Go to bed at 9 and read until I fall sleep for 5 days.
10. Mediate at least 10 minutes a day for 30 days.
11. Take a self-defense class.
12. Floss everyday. (In Progress: 11/06/2007)
13. Get a bicycle.

Writing:
14. Write to encourage support for a cause that I’m passionate about. (Completed: 4/9/2008)
15. Compose a 'if something ever happens to me' letter & give to family.
16. Send Holiday Cards to my family & friends. (Completed: 12/15/2007)
17. Send 2 "just because" care packages to a friend or family member.
18. Send 2 "just because" letters to a friend or family member. (In Progress: 1/2)
19. Write a thank you letter, but not for a present.
20. Keep a dream diary. (In Progress: 12/07/07)
21. Learn calligraphy. (In Progress: 08/22/2008)

Arts:
22. Paint a piece of art suitable for the wall.
23. Make a piece of art using Ink Stamping.
24. Catch up on scrapbooking ~ be up to date!
25. Make Candles.
26. Support a craftsperson by buying something handmade.
27. Attend a concert or musical performance.
28. Attend a play.

Travel & Destination:
29. Have a continuous travel journal for adventures.
30. Travel by train.
31. Visit 3 states that I have not yet been to.
32. Road trip to somewhere (6 hours or more).
33. Tour a vineyard/winery OR a wine festival.
34. Sleep outside (in a tent or under the stars).
35. Go on a hike in the mountains.
36. Have a picnic lunch by water.
37. Visit a place that is rumored to be haunted.
38. Watch the shuttle launch from Kennedy Space Center.
39. Go to a parade, carnival, or fair. (Completed: 11/06/2007)
40. Go to a comedy event. (Completed: 2/16/2008)
41. Go to a live sporting event. (Completed: 07/04/2008)
42. Go to a planetarium or observatory.
43. Go on a roller coaster!
44. See snow.

Local:
45. Visit every exhibit in the Jacksonville Zoo in one day.
46. Adopt an animal from the Zoo.
47. Learn to identify 10 local plants, animals, or insects. (Completed: 05/2008)
48. Attend Wild Amelia Nature Festival (May 16 & 18 2008).
49. Do a photographic study of my neighborhood & 4 other local places.
50. Ride the Annabelle Lee River Boat.
51. Visit Conner’s A-Maize-ing Acres.
52. Visit Tree Hill Nature Center’s Butterfly Festival (Completed: 04/26/2008)
53. Ride a horse on the beach.
54. Kayak!
55. Visit Fort Caroline National Memorial.

Food:
56. Eat 3 foods I've never tried before.
57. Make homemade ice cream.
58. Bake 10 different kinds of bread.
59. Visit my local Farmer's Market.
60. Eat something that I grew from a seed.
61. Learn to make 3 family recipes that I’ve never made before.
62. Organize my favorite vegetarian recipes into a cookbook.
63. Visit 1 *new to me* vegetarian restaurant in Jacksonville.
64. Cook at least 1 dish I've never made before, at least once a week for four weeks.

Learning:
65. Attend another 'brain-based' conference or EXPO.
66. Get a library card.
67. Acquire 10 books (worthy of keeping) for my library. (In Progress: 3/10)
68. Practice my conversational Spanish.
69. Take 2 classes of something I like to do (painting, vegetarian cooking, dancing, pottery, etc).

Technology:
70. Take a photo everyday for a month.
71. Publish photography/handmade crafts for purchasing.
72. Avoid watching TV for 14 days. (Completed: 06/01/2008)
73. Avoid the Internet for 3 days. (Completed: 05/20/2008)
74. Watch every episode of Friends… in order. (In Progress: 12/234)
75. Watch 5 documentaries. (In Progress: 3/5)
76. Spend one whole day just watching movies. (Completed: 05/10/2008)
77. Rip all my CDs… then sell them.

Financial:
78. Complete taxes in January.
79. Record total amount of money spend on food for a month. (Completed: 04/30/08)
80. Save pocket change, cash it all in at once, & then do something fun with it.

My House:
81. Get a Fence!
82. Finish the flower beds/backyard. (In Progress: 11/30/2007)
83. Finish painting bedrooms & bathrooms. (In Progress: 1/3)
84. Put trim up around the house.

Things I wouldn't do, unless...
85. Dress up in a way I wouldn't normally & note reactions.
86. Start a conversation with a stranger.
87. Face a fear by doing something that scares me.

General:
88. Dress up for a holiday.
89. See Fireworks! (Completed 07/04/2008)
90. Vote!!(Completed - 1/29/08)
91. Have 5 date nights not attached to a birthday, anniversary, holiday, etc. (Completed - 1/5)
92. Use a sewing machine to make an article of clothing.
93. Purge 100 unuseful items. (In Progress: 24/100)
94. Compile emergency supplies at home.
95. Make an emergency kit for the car.
96. Talk to someone I haven't talked to in at least 6 months. (Completed - 12/23/07)
97. Read at least 4 unread books off my personal bookshelf.
98. Get up two hours before work for a week.
99. Two words…Wedding Album!

Near the end:
100. For every incomplete task, make a $5 donation to a charity of my choice.
101. Make a new list of 101 Things & include unfinished items.