I have been planning this for a long time: I’ve been making my list, making sure that I’ve been put together, and made a list that’s thoughtful, meaningful and attainable. I thought that doing this as my New Year’s resolutions would be the best way to do it.

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.

My list is as follows:

101 Goals in 1001 Days

1. Create a 101 in 1001 list. [Link]
2. Post list to my blog, with an explanation. [Link]
3. Post list to the host blog, to make myself accountable. [Link]
4. Create a countdown for completion.
5. Create a new 101 list.

Acts of Kindness

6. Donate blood.
7. Complete a Race for the Cure race.
8. Send a package to AnySoldier.com
9. Donate to Planned Parenthood.
10. Donate money to NPR.

Art and Hobbies

11. Create a body of work for my jewelry-making hobby.
12. Get enrolled in a craft show to sell my jewelry.
13. Take a metal-smithing class.
14. Take a belly-dancing class.
15. Take a cake decorating class.
16. Take a stained glass class.
17. Take a digital photography class.
18. Visit an art museum in a different city.
19. Obtain membership to a museum.
20. Buy an original piece of artwork.
21. Buy a DSLR camera.
22. Find/create a book club.
23. Get re-involved with the Shaker Arts Council.
24. Blog at least twice a week.
25. Journal at least twice a week.
26. Take a photo at least twice a week.
27. Actually get around to painting “The Bone Tree”.
28. Create a studio for myself.
29. Have a personal essay published in a literary magazine.
30. Create something that requires my sewing machine.
31. See the Chihuly exhibit at the Phipps Conservatory.
32. Move my blog to WordPress.

Correspondence

33. Send a letter to Aussie John once a month.
34. Get personal calling cards with my name, cell and email on them.
35. Get personalized stationery.
36. Send out birthday cards every year of the 1001 days (2 years).
37. Send out Christmas cards every year of the 1001 days (2 years).

Financial Goals

38. Create a budget.
39. Inventory my bank accounts.
40. Open an electronic savings account. [Link]
41. Build a 3-month cash reserve.
42. Eliminate credit card balance (carry no monthly balance).
43. Roll my balance to a lower-interest credit card.
44. Spend six months living like I did when I worked retail.
45. Create a joint checking and savings account with The Boy.
46. Save up money for an entire spa day.
47. Get in some “group debt” with The Boy.

“Green” Goals

48. Switch my Christmas lights to LEDs.
49. Make every new bulb I buy a CFL.
50. Make any/every new appliance purchase an energy efficient purchase.
51. Buy an energy efficient washer and dryer.
52. Create a recycling system.
53. Declutter: sell or give-away 101 material items I own.

Health and Fitness

54. Walk 500 miles in one year.
55. Walk 1001 miles by the end of 1001 days.
56. Take a yoga class.
57. Eat vegan for one week.
58. Buy a new pair of glasses.
59. Get Lasic surgery.

Professional Goals

60. Begin work on my masters.
61. Purchase GMAT study books.
62. Join a study group for the GMAT.
63. Score 650 on the GMAT.
64. Enroll in a CFP foundations class.
65. Get my Series 7 license.
66. Obtain my Life and Health license.

Random Personal Goals

67. Move out of my parents’ house.
68. Collect all 50 state quarters.
69. Meet someone I’ve seen on TV.
70. Reorganize my music collection.
71. Buy the Harry Potter 7-book collection.
72. Learn to drive stick-shift.
73. Bookplate my book collection.
74. Create a wardrobe of pieces that fit with other pieces, not just “outfits”.
75. Create a seasonal wardrobe change system.
76. Create a closet organization system.
77. Get licensed for a firearm.
78. Buy a KitchenAid Mixer.
79. Host a dinner party.
80. Sell something on the internet.
81. Get properly fitted for a brassiere.
82. Purchase a bulk order of jerky from Beef Jerky Unlimited (Luna Pier, MI).
83. Read all of the books on a book list of my choosing.
84. Pack my lunch for an entire month.
85. Commit one productivity practice to habit.
86. Grow an herb garden.
87. Try a type of sushi I am normally too afraid to try.

Travel Goals

88. Travel to Niagara Falls.
89. Travel to Chicago.
90. Take a train ride.
91. Travel to Washington DC.
92. Travel to the Grand Canyon.
93. Travel to NYC and have lunch with [AIS].
94. Go back to Mammoth Cave, KY.
95. Visit the Jim Beam factory.
96. Visit the Makers Mark factory.
97. Take The Boy to the Taylor Guitar factory.
98. See Mount Rushmore.
99. Visit Williamsburg, VA.
100. Bring flowers to Mr. Roger’s grave.
101. Ride the Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh.