Life List

Update: From July 2007 to March 2010, I did a 101 Things in 1,001 Days Project. The project is now over, and after doing a 30 Before 30 List, it has morphed back into the “Life List” that I started in 2003. I add to this list every year.

101 Things in 1,001 Days

The 101 Things in 1001 Days Project (idea from Triplux)
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.
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 Life List:
1 Quarterlife Crisis + 101 Things + 1001 Days = The Ultimate TO DO List.
101 Things in 1001 Days Project:

Start Date: Sunday, July 1, 2007
End Date: Sunday, March 28, 2010

1 Start a new blog for this project – July 2007
2 Take pictures of all of my 101 in 1001

CAREER/FINANCIAL

3 Max out my 401k contribution every year
4 Increase my income to $XXk/yr.
5 Finish my MBA
6 Update my personal .com site
7 Start a business/side project
8 Make a conscious effort on what I wear to work: heels/flats for 2 weeks
9 Join a marketing networking group
10 Write in a work journal for 1 month

THINGS TO LEARN

Sailing in Greece11 Relearn Flash (learn post 2002 flash)
12 Learn to play poker
13 Relearn Spanish
14 Learn to kayak
15 Start playing the piano again
16 Take a dance class
17 Do yoga for a month
18 Learn the capitals and locations of all countries
19 Go boogie boarding
20 Take a rock climbing class
21 Get golf lessons
22 Learn to sail

ACTIVITIES/LOCAL

23 Run a marathon
24 Go wine tasting in Oregon
25 Start Geocaching again
26 Be a Portland tourist
27 Do Cycle Oregon or Hwy 101
28 Go white water rafting
29 Play real golf (not a pitch/putt)
30 Walk to the grocery store
31 Ride bike to work for 1 week
32 Use public transportation for 1 week
Run a half marathon – August 2013

SHOPPING

33 Research and buy a new digital camera
34 Buy all new underwear
35 Get a dog or cat
36 Get a new bed
37 Recycling Organizer system

TRAVEL
Hawaii
38 Travel South America
39 Go to NYC
40 Go to Mexico
41 Visit Europe again
42 San Juan Islands (biked) – May 2011
43 See New England in the fall
44 Ride Amtrak to Seattle
45 Weekend Trip to Nye Beach
46 Go on a backpacking trip
47 Do a bike ride in another country
48 Stay out of the US for 1 month (moving counts)
49 Go to Vegas
50 Go to Bumbershoot or ACL (again)
51 Visit Canada again

READ/WATCH

52 See the all time Top 100 Grossing Films
53 See Ebert’s ‘102 Movies You Must See’

54 Re-read David Allen’s ‘Getting Things Done’ start weekly review of GTD again
55 For one week, go to bed at 9 and read books
56 Do 52 Books in 52 Weeks, no cheating

57 Read Seth Godin books that I haven’t read
58 Read 10 classics that I’ve never read
59 Watch all five Best Picture nominees prior to the Oscars
60 Sign up for Netflix again
61 Subscribe to the Economist

FOOD

62 Find my signature cupcake recipe
63 Make crème brulee
64 Don’t go to the same restaurant more than once for 1 month
65 Bring a packed lunch or go home for lunch for 1 month
66 Quit drinking coffee for 1 month (or the summer)
67 Go vegan for 1 month
68 Try doing a wine journal
69 Eat at every restaurant in my neighborhood
70 Go to restaurants on the Willamette Week Cheap Eats List

HOME

71 Hang pictures up in the living room
72 Finish Apartment Therapy
73 Buy a house – March 2010
74 Redecorate 1 room to perfection
75 Plant a balcony garden

FRIENDS/RELATIONSHIPS

76 Date a guy who makes me swoon
77 Commit to someone, maybe… but not just anyone
78 Organize a Monthly Game Night
79 Host a dinner party
80 Make a new friend

PERSONAL

81 Other
82 Other
83 Start wearing the vintage ring that Grandma gave me
84 Take care of my nails for 1 month, see if it turns into a habit
85 Get a massage every month
86 Get a wax
87 Consciously Stop saying ‘yeah’ and ‘like’ for 1 week
88 For one week, get up two hours before work
89 Take a sick day to go play

PROJECTS/DESIGN/TASKS

90 Design a calendar for family for 2008 or 2009 for Christmas presents
91 Clean up my old computer, backup, and get rid of
92 Load the rest of my CDs on to iTunes
93 Set up at least 10 useful playlists for my iPod
94 Make iTunes season mixes
95 Journal every day for 1 month

GOOD WILL

96 Volunteer with SMART
97 Donate hair to Locks of Love (again)

MISC

98 Start going to church again
99 Go to my 10-year reunion
100 Start a new list (30 Before 30) – June 2010
101 Save $1 for every completed item. Donate $2 for every incomplete item.

Alternates:

Go to a concert outside of PDX area
Travel to another continent
Watch 100 classics movie list
Learn French
Learn German
Go SCUBA Diving
Apply for The Amazing Race
Finish visiting the 50 states
Convince someone else to start a 101 List

Completed
In Progress

  • Reply
    Camille Consul
    May 14, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    What a great list! I just recently moved from WA state to San Francisco, you make me want to move back. I miss the PNW!

    I borrowed some of your ideas for the list I am currently in the process of making :) Thanks!

  • Reply
    Jenn
    December 30, 2011 at 10:13 pm

    Love this list! I’m currently working on a 26-For-26 list. Three months to go and counting! Then on to my next lofty list….very likely a 101-in-1001 list.

  • Reply
    Jen Pants
    April 21, 2011 at 11:01 am

    I have a list just like this one! I’m still working on completing it! A friend and I started it together! I love list making, and this was just so ideal! You managed to get a lot done! way to go!

  • Reply
    0ana
    October 25, 2009 at 4:45 am

    You convinced me.
    Love the idea.
    Good luck and I hope you’ll save the 101$ at the end!

  • Reply
    Michela
    October 17, 2009 at 6:02 am

    Like the idea, definitely makes you wake up every day more & more productive and stay focused on your goals.

  • Reply
    Britta Bowers
    June 11, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    Also enjoy this… Started my list last year and kinda forgot about it… First thing on the list – Must start a blog to stay on top of it!

  • Reply
    MaryB
    June 11, 2009 at 8:42 am

    Just came across this list and I think it’s an amazing idea! And one that I’m going to do for myself… I may have to steal some of your “to-do’s” in the process. Thanks! :)

  • Reply
    Ms Alex
    June 9, 2009 at 12:14 am

    Hi, 101 things is a great project (I’m having a blast), look forward to reading about how it’s working out for you. :)

  • Reply
    Stacy.
    May 29, 2009 at 10:58 am

    I love this idea! I think I should give it a shot myself.

  • Reply
    Tara SG
    May 25, 2009 at 11:45 am

    Wow I wish I would have come across your list before I made mine. I’ll just have to remember to add some of these to my next 101. I also love the idea of having an alternates list! I’m linking you to my blog if that’s alright.

    Good luck!

  • Reply
    Hannah
    March 23, 2009 at 8:11 pm

    Does TKB (kickboxing) count as taking a dance class?

    I guess you could sign up for Zumba. I hate the name…makes me picture some wild mix of a Roomba vacuum and that Zuma game.

  • Reply
    Heather
    February 18, 2008 at 6:34 pm

    You convinced me to start my own list. You can cross that off! Day 1 is tomorrow, February 19th.

  • Reply
    wende in phoenix
    October 15, 2007 at 6:20 am

    Hmmm… you may have identified the Right Thing to Do after a person is through Curing.

  • Reply
    Tahitian Moon
    October 14, 2007 at 7:13 pm

    This is the coolest idea ever. I read your post on apartment therapy, and I’m inspired to make my own list.

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