101 in 1001

Meshell mentioned this about a month ago and I wasted no time in compiling a list of my very own. I've always loved making lists and loathed not completing most things. However, I think this project could be very focusing and perhaps life-changing. Without further ado, I present the details from Triplux regarding my 101 Things to Do in 1001 Days Project:

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.

So I think this project could be really good for me. I can never motivate myself enough to change things that I really want to and I'm hoping this will help. There is a good mix of fun stuff and heavy stuff in my list and I'm really looking forward to starting. Some of the tasks I've done before or used to do regularly and some are completely new, so I'm hoping that a lot of these goals will become habits if I do them consistently. I'll link this post in the sidebar and update my progress in it, plus I'm sure I'll talk about it in other posts. Some stuff is just too personal to put online so I've got some secrets! Here's my list broken into categories.

101 Things to Do in 1001 Days
Start: 7/19/07
Finish: 4/15/2010

* This symbol means I've already started on the task!
Items in Bold are completed

Creative/Crafty
1) Crochet 5 Granny Squares (0/5)- Easy for some, but crochet is a killer for me
2) Write consistently on novel
3) Create a mosaic piece
4) *Finish first subversive cross stitch
5) Learn to sew & sew a DPN case
6) Make 5 photo collages & frame them (0/5)
7) Compete in Knitting Olympics- Assuming there will be another one
8) Do the finishing up of WIPs before I cast on a new one five time in a row (0/5)
9) Make soap & bubblebath (0/2)
10) Build something myself out of wood
11) Submit photo to photography contest
12) Seek out new & interesting things to photograph

Food & Drink
13) Bake 10 kinds of bread by hand (0/10)
14) Bake 5 kinds of pie by hand (0/5)
15) Cook 10 never tried vegetables (0/10)
16) Try 10 never tried fruits (0/10)
17) Eat in 5 new restaurants (0/5)
18) Make fresh pasta 5 times (0/5)
19) Eat raw for a week (0/7)
20) Give up alcohol for one month
21) Give up refined sugar & flour for a month
22) Limit alcohol to no more than 2 drinks per night for a month
23) No junk food/ bad snacks for a month
24) Eat no Mexican dishes for a month
25) Go vegan for at least 2 weeks (0/14)- I'm already vegetarian

Healthy Mind & Body
26) Go on a hike
27) Get teeth fixed
28) Go to dermatologist to have mole removed
29) Go to dentist regularly
30) Go to doctor for complete check-up
31) Go to gyno
32) Go to bed no later than 11 every night for a week (0/7)
33) *Lose at least 20 pounds (5/20)
34) Follow skin regime everyday for 2 weeks (0/14)
35) Stop biting nails
36) Go to eye doctor
37) *Personal
38) Personal
39) *Do yoga at least 6 days a week for one month
40) Detox once a month for 6 months (0/6)
41) Pluck eyebrows regularly for a month
42) Get a professional massage
43) Get professionally fitted for a bra
44) Drink 2 cups of hot tea everyday for a month

Cultural
45) Read passages from the different religious texts (list forthcoming)
46) Go to a jazz club
47) *Watch all Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes (20/178)
48) Go to a classical music concert
49) Watch The Wizard of Oz synched with Dark Side of the Moon
50) Read at least 10 banned books (0/10)
51) Read 10 books from my bookshelf that I haven't read & have had for more than 1 year (0/10)
52) Spend an afternoon walking around downtown

Financial
53) Start selling crafts (knits, patterns, photos, cards)
54) Personal
55) Buy no new books for myself for 3 months & see how much money I save
56) Sell stuff on eBay
57) Buy only necessities for one month

Goodwill
58) Participate in a charity run/walk
59) *Knit at least 20 items for charity (0/20)
60) Donate blood
61) Sign up to be an organ donor
62) *Plant trees in the names of my family (10/110)
63) Donate to the ACS or MD Anderson in Mickey's memory

Sustainable Living/De-clutter/Eco-friendly
64) *Rate all iTunes songs (12405/18252)
65) Recycle all old magazines
66) Get rid of old, broken electronics responsibly
67) Do something about china cabinet
68) Organize printed photos
69) Knit produce bags & start bringing to the grocery
70) Buy a fireproof safe & store documents
71) Put rest of loose recipes in binder
72) Catalog & photograph household inventory including serial numbers
73) Sign up for Greendimes

Better my Environment
74) Find a place to live & move
75) Research new cities to live in & how to go about moving
76) Don't use a computer for 72 hours
77) Don't watch tv for one weekend, 4 times (0/4)
78) Get something to hold LPs
79) Vacuum once a week for 3 months straight
80) Have front door fixed

Happiness
81) Dye my hair pink
82) Get hair cut professionally
83) Go on a romantic picnic
84) Learn to ride a bike
85) Play tennis
86) Visit at least 1 new state
87) Buy vinyl, old-school Mary Janes
88) Rollerskate
89) Buy a DSLR camera
90) Go on a weekend getaway to a cabin
91) Buy a dress that looks fabulous on me
92) Personal
93) Dance everyday for 2 weeks (0/14)
94) Spend at least 30 mins. "chill time" outdoors everyday for a month
95) Play in the rain
96) Send at least 5 notes/cards to Gram (0/5)
97) Forgive myself
98) Brush all cats once a week for month
99) Write down one thing I'm thankful for everyday for 1 month
100) Film videos of Amelie playing (digging in bowl, jumping, kickin' it)
101) Start a new 101 list no later than 1 month after finishing this one (catch-22)

Whew, I'd better get started! Tell me what you think of my list and if you're thinking of starting your own!

In knitting news, I'm almost done knitting up my second sock. Stay tuned for Harry photos!!