101 in 1001.
the mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
the criteria: Tasks must be specific (i.e., no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (i.e., 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.
start date: Friday, January 14, 2011
end date: Friday, October 11, 2013
.
buy. {1 – 9}
create. {10 – 18}
- complete the 365 project
- get my scrapbook up-to-date
- have a font of my handwriting made
- inspiration board
- organize the pile of recipes I’ve collected into a book
- pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and carve it
- publish the photos from the 365 project into a coffee table book
- send a postcard to PostSecret
- set up an Etsy site for photography
culture. {19 – 24}
attend the ballet{done}- attend the opera
go to a U2 concert{June 26, 2011 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan]- listen to every song in my iTunes library (6,500+ songs!)
- listen to the Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (my progress)
- watch every Academy Awards Best Picture since the year I was born (1983) (my progress)
faith. {25-28}
- memorize 30 verses
- memorize Psalm 139
- read the entire Bible
- watch and reflect on all 24 Nooma videos
fitness + running. {29-38}
- comfortably fit into a size 4 pair of jeans
- complete a triathlon
- complete the 100 push up challenge
- finish running 30 races before my 30th birthday
- reach my goal weight
run a sub 30:00 5k{done}run a half marathon{done}- run a marathon
- successfully hold crow pose for at least 10 seconds
try a spin class{June 2011}
food. {39-44}
- bake an apple pie (crust and all)
- eat dessert first at a restaurant
- grow my own tomatoes and use them to make homemade salsa
- make a loaf of bread from scratch (sans bread machine)
- make homemade jam
- take a cooking class
give back. {45-51}
become a part of the Lubbers Society at my alma mater (donating 3+ years){done}- buy coffee for a stranger
- donate blood
- leave a 100% tip {done}
- participate in One Day Without Shoes
- plant a tree
- send flowers to a friend
go without. {52-58}
- cancel all unnecessary credit cards
- eating out for a month
- give up chocolate for Lent
- hitting snooze everyday for a month
- no soda for 6 months
- no television for a month
- spend one day without my phone/iPod/computer/television/etc
just because. {59-69}
do a wine tasting tour{done}get a second tattoo{done 10.10.11}- get my nose pierced
- go skydiving
- have a real Christmas tree
- increase my savings account to (at least) a four month emergency fund
- make a wish at 11:11 on November 11, 2011
- meet Taylor Swift
- movie theater marathon: 3 movies, 1 day
- see a movie at the drive in
- sleep under the stars
learn. {70-76}
- alphabet in sign language
- finish a New York Times crossword puzzle
- get certified in CPR
- how to golf
- how to play poker
- my blood type
- take the GRE
michigan experiences. {77-80}
- do the Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Walk
- go to a Detroit Tigers game
- play on the Giant Tire Swing in Calder Plaza
- ride a Segway around Grand Rapids
travel. {81-88}
- attend a taping of Ellen
- be in Times Square for the NYE ball drop
- get a stamp on my passport
- go on a solo road trip
- go on a trip with my mom
- ride in a hot air balloon
- ride in a limousine
- visit 3 states I’ve never been to before {1. Pennsylvania 2. TBD 3. TBD}
write + read. {89-100}
- answer the 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind (my answers)
- journal every day for a month
- leave 101 Operation Beautiful notes (notes I’ve left)
- read 50+ books from the BBC’s Top 100 Book List (my progress)
- read the entire Chronicles of Narnia series (3 down, 4 to go)
- send a card to a soldier overseas
- send snail mail birthday cards to 10 friends
- write a freelance article
- write a list of 101 things I’ve already achieved in this lifetime
- write a living will and have in notarized
- write a letter to myself to open in 10 years
- write my name in wet cement
…and finally. {101}
- make a brand new 101 in 1001 list
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I loooove this so much! I’m going to make one, I think. Also, I can teach you the alphabet in sign language if you want. As well as a few nonuseful, but entertaining phrases like “ugly people bar,” brontosaurus, and “drunk sex.” I have a deaf friend, but she can read lips and talk so I’ve never had to learn anything useful…
You totally should! It was harder than I thought to think of 101 ideas! I might have to take you up on that offer!
I love your list. I have all the Nooma videos because we use them in our church for Bible study, sermon illustrations and just to watch and be filled as pastors. I purchased most when I was a broke seminary student
I actually go to Rob’s church and got to be an extra in two of them (Shells and Open)! It was a fun experience!
I love the list! Good luck! Can’t wait to hear how your adventures in achieving these goals turns out!
I LOVE this! I have had a partial list made for a while … I *should* just finish it, but it’s hard. good luck with the list!! let me know if you want company for any of the items (like 38 … or 59 … or 31!).
I would LOVE company!
1. don’t pay to have your handwriting/print turned into a font – use Amanda instead – she’s BRILLIANT – http://www.kevinandamanda.com/fonts/
And this is yet another reason why I love my blends!! Thanks girl!
2. I love the culture list and especially the 3 you are tracking in the spreadsheet. After this October, if I feel compelled to make a new list, I may be adding these
I love this!!
This inspired me to write a list of things too!! One in particular is to take a baking class at Zingerman’s Bakehouse….possibly this could be #44 on your list! We should sign up to do one together!!!! We could even take a bread course and cross of #42 on your list as well!!!!
Yes! Let’s do it sometime!! I would love that!
Hi Mindy! I just came across your blog
I love your whole list! And I could teach you the ASL alphabet! lol. I’m going to school for Speech Pathology and I’m in the process of becoming fluent in ASL. It’s really fun. you should consider taking a class! 
Hey Lisa! Thanks for checking out my blog!!
I have actually looked into taking a couple classes – I just need to re-motivate myself back into the school mode first…
Awesome list of goals! I just added you to my blogroll. Hope that’s OK.
That is definitely okay – thank you SO much!
Glad to see you are doing a 101 in a 1001.. It is so much fun! Good luck!
Sarah recently posted..Did you grab it by the Long Horns?