101 in 1001.

the mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

the criteria: Tasks must be specific (i.e., no ambiguity in the wording) 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.

start date: Friday, January 14, 2011

end date: Friday, October 11, 2013

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buy. {1 – 9}

• bikini (and wear it to the beach/out on the boat)
• DSLR camera
• have my hair professionally dyed
• hammock (and use it!)
• iPhone
• lottery ticket when there’s a crazy big jackpot
• massage
• new (t0 me) car
• replace the TV I’ve had since Christmas 1995

create. {10 – 18}

• complete the 365 project
• get my scrapbook up-to-date
• have a font of my handwriting made
• inspiration board
• organize the pile of recipes I’ve collected into a book
• pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and carve it
• publish the photos from the 365 project into a coffee table book
• send a postcard to PostSecret
• set up an Etsy site for photography

culture. {19 – 24}

• attend the ballet
• attend the opera
• go to a U2 concert
• listen to every song in my iTunes library (6,500+ songs!)
• listen to the Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (my progress)
• watch every Academy Awards Best Picture since the year I was born (1983) (my progress)

faith. {25-28}

• memorize 30 verses
• memorize Psalm 139
• read the entire Bible
• watch and reflect on all 24 Nooma videos

fitness + running. {29-38}

• comfortably fit into a size 4 pair of jeans
• complete a triathlon
• complete the 100 push up challenge
• finish running 30 races before my 30th birthday
• reach my goal weight
• run a sub 30:00 5k
• run a half marathon
• run a marathon
• successfully hold crow pose for at least 10 seconds
• try a spin class

food. {39-44}

• bake an apple pie (crust and all)
• eat dessert first at a restaurant
• grow my own tomatoes and use them to make homemade salsa
• make a loaf of bread from scratch (sans bread machine)
• make homemade jam
• take a cooking class

give back. {45-51}

• become a part of the University Society at my alma mater (donating 3+ years)
• buy coffee for a stranger
• donate blood
• leave a 100% tip
• participate in One Day Without Shoes
• plant a tree
• send flowers to a friend

go without. {52-58}

• cancel all unnecessary credit cards
• eating out for a month
• give up chocolate for Lent
• hitting snooze everyday for a month
• no soda for 6 months
• no television for a month
• spend one day without my phone/iPod/computer/television/etc

just because. {59-69}

• do a wine tasting
• get a second tattoo
• get my nose pierced
• go skydiving
• have a real Christmas tree
• increase my savings account to (at least) a four month emergency fund
• make a wish at 11:11 on November 11, 2011
• meet Taylor Swift
• movie theater marathon:  3 movies, 1 day
• see a movie at the drive in
  
• sleep under the stars

learn. {70-76}

• alphabet in sign language
• finish a New York Times crossword puzzle
• get certified in CPR
• how to golf
• how to play poker
• my blood type
• take the GRE

michigan experiences. {77-80}

• do the Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Walk
• go to a Detroit Tigers game
• play on the Giant Tire Swing in Calder Plaza
• ride a Segway around Grand Rapids

travel. {81-88}

• attend a taping of Ellen
• be in Times Square for the NYE ball drop
• get a stamp on my passport
• go on a solo road trip
• go on a trip with my mom
• ride in a hot air balloon
• ride in a limousine
• visit 3 states I’ve never been to before

write + read. {89-100}

• answer the 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind
• journal every day for a month
• leave 101 Operation Beautiful notes (notes I’ve left)
• read 50+ books from the BBC’s Top 100 Book List (my progress)
• read the entire Chronicles of Narnia series
• send a card to a soldier overseas
• send snail mail birthday cards to 10 friends
• write a freelance article
• write a list of 101 things I’ve already achieved in this lifetime
• write a living will and have in notarized
• write a letter to myself to open in 10 years
• write my name in wet cement

…and finally. {101}

• make a brand new 101 in 1001 list