101 in 1001

Okay this is a really cool idea. Basically, you set 101 goals to be achieved in the next 1001 days (in case you’re wondering, that’s about 2.75 years). Lots of other bloggers are taking on this challenge created by the Day Zero Project. The goals have to be measurable, specific and without vague wording, and achievable but still requiring some real effort. Being a list maker at heart, this is oh so exceedingly appealing to me. Even better, I’m going to color code mine!

First, I just want to note that coming up with 101 goals was not as easy as I thought it would be. For inspiration, I read a whole bunch of other people’s 101 in 1001 lists and adopted some of their goals as my own. Some of the things on my list are things I’ve never done but always wanted to, some are things I really don’t want to do but need to, and some are things that I used to do and need to get into the habit of doing again. The biggest obstacle to achieving my 101 goals in 1001 days is that I’ll also be in law school at the same time. So much for timing, right? Nevertheless, I’m going to do my darndest to get as many of these things accomplished as possible.

I’m dividing the 101 things into several broad categories for easy tracking and organization. Also, if the goal involves doing something a certain number of times, I’ll have a notation that looks like (X/Y) where X is the number of times I’ve performed this action and Y is the total number of times it should be performed within the 1001 days. No, it’s not an algebraic equation. I’ll keep this page updated as I progress, and I’ll try to make a short blog post with details for each item I complete as well.

I’m really looking forward to this challenge. If you feel likewise inspired, start your own list of 101 goals to be met in the next 1001 days!

My 1001 days project ends on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

KEY

• not yet begun
• underway
• complete!

FAMILY FIRST

01.  Have dinner out with Molly once a month. (2/33)

02.  Go to a show at the Cactus Theater with Mom every three months. (1/11)

03.  Visit Dad in Brownwood at least once a year. (1/3)

04.  Walk Sophie at least twice a week. (0/286)

05.  Attend at least one Propst reunion.

06.  Send Grammy a card every three months. (0/11)

07.  Have Allie spayed and declawed.

08.  Have Sophie groomed once a month. (3/33)

09.  Update my will and have it notarized, and put a copy in the safe deposit box.

10.  Purchase more life insurance.

BETTER HOMES & GARDENS

11.  Dust twice a month. (6/66)

12.  Change air filters every three months. (0/11)

13.  Finish painting the trim in the foyer.

14.  Find a solution for the litterbox.

15.  Vacuum twice a month. (6/66)

16.  Have the garage door repaired.

17.  Pull all weeds in the front yard and maintain a weed-free zone.

18.  Find a paint color for the hallway and paint it.

19.  Have the car washed once a month. (1/33)

20.  Start an herb garden.

21.  Have all old film developed.

22.  Grow some vegetables in the back yard.

COMMUNITY TIES

23.  Volunteer at least once with Habitat for Humanity with Molly.

24.  Have Christmas cards sent out by December 5th each year. (0/3)

25.  Watch the local news at least twice a week. (6/286)

26.  Join the Texas Tech Alumni Association.

27.  Write a blog entry at least twice a week. (15/286)

28.  Give a sandwich to a homeless person every three months. (0/11)

29.  Attend my 20-year high school reunion.

30.  Pay for the person behind me in line once a year. (0/3)

31.  Write letters of appreciation to five places where I receive good service. (0/5)

THE CARE & FEEDING OF MOI

32.  Have a pedicure every month. (2/33)

33.  Complete the Couch to 5K program.

34.  Get a complete physical exam with lab work.

35.  Have a hair appointment every other month. (2/16)

36.  Take a yoga class.

37.  Lose 35 pounds. (0/35)

38.  Have a manicure every other week. (5/71)

39.  For one month, take a multivitamin every day. (0/30)

40.  Eat no meat for one week.

41.  Wash and moisturize my face every night for one month. (0/30)

42.  Take a Pilates class.

43.  Floss every day for a month. (3/30)

44.  Have a mammogram.

45.  Go to bed before midnight every night for two weeks. (0/14)

46.  Complete all dental work.

47.  For one month, get up without hitting the snooze button. (0/30)

CULTURAL LITERACY

48.  Compile a list of must-read books and read one of these per month. (1/33)

49.  Watch two Netflix movies per month. (1/66)

50.  Learn to eat continental style.

51.  Read six nonfiction books that I already own. (1/6)

52.  Watch (or rewatch) all movies directed by M. Night Shyamalan. (1/9)

53.  Reread Atlas Shrugged.

54.  Attend the ballet or the symphony every six months. (0/5)

55.  Go to the drive-in movie theater with Molly once a year. (0/3)

56.  Reread the Harry Potter series. (0/7)

57.  Watch all Star Wars movies. (0/6)

58.  Study a non-Christian religion.

59.  Watch all 100 of the American Film Institute’s greatest movies of all time. (1/100)

60.  Purchase Photoshop and learn how to use it.

61.  Read the Chronicles of Narnia.

62.  See each new IMAX movie at the Science Spectrum.

MONEY MANAGEMENT

63.  Pay off all consumer debt accounts. (0/7)

64.  Pay off car. [complete as of 09/01/09]

65.  Open a new savings account with $1000 for emergencies.

66.  Pay off orthodontist. [complete as of 08/26/09]

67.  Use a grocery list every time I go to the store.

68.  Save spare change for 1001 days to be used for a post-bar-exam trip with Molly.

69.  Start a college fund for Molly.

70.  File federal taxes by January 31st of each year. (0/3)

PURCHASES

71.  Get new glasses for Molly.

72.  Buy a Mac.

73.  Get new carpet, paint, and bedding for Molly’s room.

74.  Get an electric hedge trimmer.

ORGANIZATION

75.  Organize the makeup drawer.

76.  Organize my closet and donate clothes and shoes that haven’t been worn in more than two years.

77.  Organize the office.

78.  Organize the front closet.

79.  Organize and clean the garage.

80.  Organize the linen cabinets.

81.  Find a solution for recipe organization.

82.  Obtain some method of backing up my computer(s) on a regular basis.

EXPLORATION

83.  Visit three cities I’ve never visited before. (1/3)

84.  Try sushi.

85.  Visit the San Diego Zoo.

86.  Try two new recipes per month. (3/66)

87.  Try 101 new beers. (3/101)

88.  Go ice skating.

89.  Try one new bottle of wine per month. (1/33)

90.  Visit the local winery.

91.  Eat at 30 new restaurants. (5/30)

92.  Try caviar.

93.  Participate in the 365 project: take one picture a day for a whole year. (0/365)

94.  Attend a wine appreciation class.

95.  Witness a major astronomical event.

96.  Take a photography class.

97.  Get a massage.

98.  Attend a hockey game.

99.  Get a passport for me and Molly.

LIST MAINTENANCE

100.  Make a blog entry for goal progress and/or completion.

101.  Make a new list of 101 goals to be accomplished in 1001 days.