1001 Days – The Challenge

I’ve decided to participate in the 1001 Day Challenge. I found it rather fascinating, and as a goal-directed person, I’m hoping it might spur me to do a number of things I procrastinate.

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).

I’m going to have to modify a couple of these, but I’m willing to accept a small bit of ambiguity. Just "being the person I want to be" is a very serious task, but would basically involve retyping about half of this OD. I know what that task consists of, and that’s what is important–that it isn’t ambiguous to ME. I’ll be putting measurements where applicable. Some of them simply can’ t be measured, since I have no idea, say, how often I’ll go to the grocery store. =p

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.

What changes do you hope to see in yourself, or your lifestyle, at the end of your 1001 days?
Currently, I’m 35, poor, and single. I’m hoping all three will change next year–but if the latter two don’t, then I hope that I become happier about my status.

Which three items on your list will be most challenging to achieve?
001 — Because there’s only so much in life I can control.
027 — Because it takes a lot of effort once you reach a certain point, which I may not be able or willing to put forth.
029 — Because I’m struggling as it is.

Do you have skills, expertise or knowledge that might help other members to achieve their goals? What are they?
I believe strongly in empowerment and helping others achieve their goals through constructive advice, wisdom, and teamwork.

My 1001 days will end on Wednesday, September 29, 2010. Here’s to the next 2.75 years, 143 weeks, 33 months. If you’re doing this as well, good luck. Holler if you need me. 🙂

Due to OD’s character limit, the actual list starts in the next post.

.com/albums/j184/lyon812/1001a.jpg” alt=”” />    011     Throw away 101 things I don’t need anymore. (0/101)
        012     Record, to the best of my memory, where and from whom my shotglasses originate. (0/1)
        013     Release my grudges and treat everyone cordially.
        014     Check my phone for messages each morning when I wake up. (0/1001)
        015     Have the courage to have the conversations I need to have with people, and trust in my relationships.

Health / Nutrition

       016     Take classes in Kenpo karate. (0/1)
        017     Visit at least one new restaurant a month. (0/33)
        018     Eat fast food no more than once a month. (0/33)
        019     Cook one new recipe a month, using a different primary ingredient than the month before. (0/33)
       020     Visit a doctor and have a complete physical. (0/1)
        021     Maintain a weight between 165-175 lbs. (0/1)
        022     Become a size 33 or lower. (0/1)
        023     Do at least 45 push-ups a day. (0/1001)
        024     Do 120 situps in 120 seconds. (0/1)
        025     Take my multivitamin each day, and stop forgetting. (0/1001)
        026     Have my body fat measured. (0/1)
        027     Reduce it by 50%. (0/1)
        028     Ascertain my blood type. (0/1)

Finances / Purchasing

        029     Make a net profit every month, regardless of how much I have to skimp. (0/33)
        030     Purchase more clothing that actually fits me. (0/1)
        031     Learn more about investing and saving for retirement.
       032     Pay down my only outstanding credit card balance. (0/1)
        033     Take no more debt unless for education or because I absolutely have no alternative. (0/1)
        034     Utilize coupons at the grocery store and make no more than two impulse buys a trip.
        035     Purchase a car. (0/1)
        036     Purchase a digital camera, and use it. (0/1)

Education / Work

    <img width="20" height="20" src="http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j184/lyon812/1001a.jpg” alt=”” />    037     Fill out my FAFSA. (0/1)
       038     Keep on top of available scholarships and apply for them.
        039     Complete all of my tasks for the Fall 2008 semester as early as possible. (0/1)
        040     Plan my courses, as much as allowed, for the first two years of graduate school. (0/1)
    041     Complete at least 50% of my credit requirements for my MLIS. (0/1)
    042     Become more fluent in Spanish. (0/1)
        043     Receive high evaluation scores at work, and more positive than negative feedback. (0/1)
       044     Progress to an Associate position. (0/1)
        045     Maintain a list of achievements. (0/1)
        046     Polish my resume and interview skills.
    047     Advocate for better organization and layout to better serve our patrons.
    048     Advocate for community outreach, and if possible, become involved.

Hobbies/Projects

        049     Keep OD updated regarding my progress on this list. (0/1)
       050     Read 101 books. (0/101)
       051     Make a list of every movie I see and book I read. (0/1)
        052     Organize my recipes so it’s not a pain in the ass to cook. (0/1)
    053     Ask my friends to each recommend one book to me, and read it. (0/xx)
    054     Take photos of my friends and display them. (0/1)
        055     Write in OD 101 more times, not shying away when I am upset. (0/101)
       056     Participate in NaNoWriMo at least once. (0/1)
        057     Organize my collection of CD’s and decide which ones to keep. Donate the rest to the library. (0/1)
        058     Organize my collection of books and decide which ones to keep. Donate or sell the rest. (0/1)
    059     Participate in the Gimme Your Stuff website. (0/1)
    060     Clean out my emails thoroughly. (0/1)
       061     Go to a Seahawks game. (0/1)
   062     Go to a Mariners game. (0/1)
       063     See the sights in Olympia. (0/1)
    <img width="20" height=“20” src=”http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j184/lyon812/1001a.jpg” alt=”” />    064     Read a book by Charles Dickens. (0/1)
       065     Read everything by Paul Auster that I haven’t already. (0/xx)
       066     Watch the episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that I’ve never seen. (0/xx)
       067     See at least twelve movies in the theater that I say, "I need to see that in the theater." (0/12)
       068     Go to a play at the local theater. (0/1)
       069     Go to a local art exhibition. (0/1)
       070     Participate in Book Crossing with at least five books. (0/5)
       071     Make a scrapbook of this 101 list. (0/1)
        072     Create a new 101 list when this one is complete. (0/1)

Community / Giving Back

       073     Actively pay attention to political issues in my community. (0/1)
        074     Vote in the 2008 presidential election. (0/1)
        075     Volunteer at a non-profit/charity. (0/1)
    076     Donate at least $50 to a charity. (0/1)
    077     Sponsor a child through Children International. (0/1)
        078     Donate blood. (0/1)
       079     Donate 100 grains of rice a day on FreeRice. (0/1001)
        080    Donate the clothing I have that no longer fits, because I’ll never be that large again. (0/1)
        081     Donate $2 to a charity for every item on this list I haven’t done after 1001 days. (0/1)

Travel

       082     Take at least two trips to places I have never been, at least an hour distant. (0/2)
        083     Visit St. Louis. (0/1)
        084     Take a train ride somewhere. (0/1)

Home / Maintenance

       085     Clean the kitchen at least once a week. (0/143)
    086     Clean the bathroom at least once a week. (0/143)
    087 &n