101 Things in 1001 Days (2010 – 2013)

The Mission

Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria

Tasks must be specific 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.

My Dates

Start:  8/6/2010

End:  5/3/2013

Note:  Items in red are in progress.  Those in blue are complete.

Family

1. Teach my son to read.
2. Teach my daughter to talk.
3. Participate in the 2011 Walk for Epilepsy.
4. Establish five new family traditions.
   1. Christmas
   2. Birthday
   3. Easter
   4. Summer
   5. Rainy or snowy day
5. Find a new home.
6. Establish family medical history books
7. Make our home safe for our daughter.
8. Take self-defense with our son.
9. Plan a family outing once a month.
10. Plan an outing with each child, one on one, once a month.

Marriage

1. Have date night once a week.
2. Establish a “check in” with Andy regularly – to be sure we’re talking when we really need to.
3. Establish a hint to use when one of us is being a little more irritable than absolutely necessary – that no one else will recognize.
4. Make A’s favorite meal once a month or so.

Self-care

1. Work through my depression.
2. Have 15 minutes of quiet time daily.
3. Talk to my friends regularly – at least one of them every week.
4. Do one nice thing for myself every day.
5. Try new music styles.
6. Go to see my high school friend sing!
7. Make a list of 100 things I want to learn more about – and DO IT!

Mind

1. Learn a second language well enough to use it.
2. Do 1 crossword puzzle a week.
3. Read a classic and a spiritual book each month for a year. (0/12)
4. Develop and maintain a website.
5. Publish one or two articles a month on my blog.
6. Get one article actually published.
7. Learn SQL.
8. Improve my Excel skills to expert.
9. Learn Project.

Body

1. Exercise 5 times a week for three months.
2. Cut back to 2 cups of coffee per day.
3. Lose 10 pounds.
4. Lose 15 pounds.
5. Learn to cook 43 healthy recipes.
6. Learn to cook 43 vegetable recipes.
7. Introduce two new recipes per month to our family.
8. Find five fun new ways to exercise.

Spiritual

1. Pray at least 2x daily.
2. Try 5 spiritual disciplines.
3. Meditate 2x daily.
4. Keep a prayer journal/blog for six months.(0/6)
5. Join a church.
6. Take the kids to church.

Financial

1. Start two college funds.
2. Find and implement 36 ways to save money.
3. Learn more about investing – take a course.
4. Teach Alex how to save.
5. Write will.
6. Draw up guardianship papers.
7. Get our financial affairs in order.

Social

1. Have girls’ night out once a month.
2. Call family once a week.
3. Take a craft class with Rhonda.
4. Make new friends.
5. Join a Mom’s club.
6. Cook once a month and have friends over.
7. Babysit for friends more often.

Community

1. Join and work with Habitat for Humanity.
2. Participate in CHKD fund-raisers.
3. Create a “Walk for Lennox-Gastaut” or find other ways to educate people in our community.
4. Rally support and donations for Lennox-Gastaut.
5. Give to the Joy Fund.
6. Participate in local cultural events.
7. Donate clothes and toys to women’s shelters.
8. Volunteer at nursing homes.
9. Take part in a soup kitchen.

Work

1. Develop a growth plan as a reporting analyst.
2. Be more assertive.
3. Work on being more proactive.
4. Find five ways to improve our processes in twelve months. (0/5)