Why 101 in 1001? · 1 January 08

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 organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

I have decided to complete the 101 tasks in 1001 days challenge. I'd been thinking about it a bit at the end of December and coming back from the Lac I had some time to think about things I had been putting off. I decided this would be a good thing to do. 1001 days is about 2.75 years, so there is time to pace myself with the things I want to get done, but still have the pressure (I guess) of the deadline. There are a fair share of frivolous things, but also things I have wanted to do but have just put off.

START DATE: January 1, 2008
END DATE: September 28, 2010
Striked items are complete, italiced (? italixed? italic'd) items are in progress.

    LIST

  1. complete '101' list by January 15, 2008
  2. create "101" blog on thisisliz.com before January 31, 2008
  3. Utilize google calendar to help with reminders of time sensitive items on this list
  4. complete monthly review of list and assess progress
  5. document each task with photos or blogging about it
  6. for every incomplete task after 1001 days donate $10 for each task to local charity (Salvation Army? United Way? Foodbank?)

    7. CRAFTY

  7. organize and catalog online yarn stash
  8. knit/crochet all yarn in stash before end of 1001 days*
  9. organize knitting needles/crochet hooks
  10. update Ravlry account with bookmarked knitting patterns
  11. update Ravlry account with bookmarked crochet patterns
  12. set up Etsy store
  13. teach someone to knit
  14. attend three stitch n' bitch's at MakeOne Studio
  15. learn Intarsia/colourwork knitting
  16. learn double knitting
  17. complete one lace-weight shawl/scarf/wrap
  18. knit three pairs of socks
  19. complete two patterns exactly as written, no modifications by me
  20. have all handmade Christmas presents completed by December 1
  21. cut from thrifted fabric and sew 6ft by 6ft quilt
  22. buy sewing machine
  23. knit/crochet 15 touques and donate to local shelter
  24. join http://www.postcrossing.com/ and send 12 postcards
  25. colour an entire colouring book with crayons

    26. HOME

  26. organize and catalog online CD collection
  27. organize and catalog online DVD collection
  28. organize and catalog online book collection
  29. clean out and organize closet
  30. do laundry once a week for two months
  31. but love seat/large chair
  32. recover kitchen table
  33. recover kitchen chairs
  34. cleanup and organize laptop
  35. clean out and organize lower kitchen cupboards
  36. keep apartment "Charlene" clean for one month
  37. buy 5 foot tall plant
  38. do dishes the same day they are used for a month
  39. organize pictures in box and put into albums

    40. FAMILY

  40. email or call mom once a week just to catch up for 6 month.
  41. have Christmas cards mailed before December 1
  42. send postcards to cousins in the Lac every month for a year
  43. visit grandparents in BC
  44. craft something for Charlene, Heather and Nicole's 30th 29th birthdays

    45. LIFE

  45. drink nothing but water for one week
  46. drink one litre of water a day for a month
  47. eat no junk food for two weeks
  48. have $3000 in savings account by May 1, 2008*
  49. set up meal plan and follow it explicitly for two weeks
  50. get eyes tested
  51. go to dentist
  52. go to Banff before December 31, 2009*
  53. complete a language class (Italian, French or Spanish)
  54. complete two non-language classes
  55. walk for 30 minutes after work at least three times a week for one month
  56. go swimming three times in 2008
  57. mail a secret to PostSecret
  58. do not turn on tv for one week (an no cheating with tv on the computer either!)
  59. list 50 things that make me happy
  60. pay off overdue library fines
  61. get a manicure
  62. purchase renters insurance
  63. get passport
  64. go without swearing for a week
  65. take a real certified IQ test
  66. take a self portrait once a week for 20 weeks
  67. watch at least one local news show once a day for 30 days
  68. join the NDP party of Canada
  69. wake up (not stay up) early enough to see the sunrise 11 times.
  70. do not buy anything un-needed for one month

    71. ENTERTAINMENT

  71. Read at least 15 books in 2008
  72. watch 100 movies in 2008
  73. watch 125 movies in 2009
  74. Read at least 15 books in 2009* (replaced watching Alias)
  75. read at least 5 books written by women (on top of 15 other books and including one by Jane Austen)
  76. find 10 new female musicians and buy thier CD's
  77. go to the opera
  78. spend the day at the Glenbow Museum
  79. join a softball beer league
  80. be in possesion of a car by September 1, 2009
  81. watch all three Lord of the Rings extended editions in one sitting
  82. go to show produced by TheatreCalgary
  83. see the CPO
  84. see all the Best Picture nominees for the Oscars in any one year before the Oscars ceremony

    85. WORK

  85. Have office presents ready by December 1
  86. have office presents delivered by December 10
  87. be at least 30 minutes early to work for two weeks
  88. be on time for work for a month
  89. bake for co-workers four times

    90. GEEK

  90. complete 15 website designs/lj layouts
  91. comment on all fic read, good or bad
  92. post in blog three times a week for six months (excluding '101' posts)
  93. enter all old d-x entries into blog at thisisliz.com, tag as they are entered
  94. go a week without logging onto the internet (work related interneting excluded)
  95. blog once a day for 30 days (NaBloPoMo maybe?)
  96. participate in the May 2008 css reboot

    97. GIVE

  97. collect all pocket change, at the end of the year donate to the Salvation Army
  98. write thank-you cards to the people who have had the most impact on me the past 5 years telling them exactly what they did for me and why it meant so much
  99. perform 101 random acts of kindness
  100. donate blood every 4 months after March 1, 2008 (6 months after I got my tattoo)
  101. volunteer at Canada Day festivities

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Comment?

  1. you could teach me to knit!

    — heather · 8 January 2008, 14:10 · #

  2. also i’m up for banff! but in the summer because i don’t like being cold

    — heather · 17 January 2008, 01:14 · #

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