101 in 1001

You cannot become overwhelmed before reading this entry.  If you think you might, slowly turn from your computer and walk away. My intent is to inspire you, not put more upon you.  Certainly you can bend the rules - maybe 20 in 200?

Have you heard of making a 101 in 1001 list?  Here are the rules:

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 Focussed. 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.

Sound like something you want to tackle?  My friend and pastor's wife Wendy and I embarked upon our lists together and we've had a lot of lively conversation about the items on each other's lists.  I'll share mine with you, and then maybe Wendy will share hers, too.

Begun 4 March, 2006

1. Complete Quiet Rest series (Done)

2. Do not complain verbally during this pregnancy

3. Close my mouth- I don’t always have to be right

4. Watch Raising Godly Children DVDs (Done)

  Blessing Husband

5. Clean his desk regularly

6. Schedule twice-monthly dates, including surprise lunches

7. Be involved in the hiring process  (Done)

8. Plan romantic nights (Done)

9. Trust he’ll accomplish what he’s promised

10. Find a really great lounging chair for him (Done)

11. Finish reading Portofino aloud to him

12. Make his favorite meal- shish kebob, pilaf, cucumber salad twice in the summer (Done)

13. Take him to Morton’s (Done)

14. Book spa weekend in Napa (Done)

 Blessing Our Children

15. UK with H

16. Williamsburg/DC with boys (Done)

17. Visit Adams with Ab and C

18. Teach Ab to Sew (Done)

19. Teach C to knit (Done)

20. Finish creating cooking course (Done)

21. Begin cooking course with H, N, J, and Ab (Done)

22. Swim with the kids 3x this summer (Done)

23. Keep up with Scripture memorization (Done)

24. Teach J to do laundry (Done)

25. Put one-on-one dates on the calendar (Done)

 26. Verbally praise more than verbally correct

27. Have a pool party for Ab’s birthday (Done)

28. Soak and massage their feet in the winter

29. Focus on manners (Done)

30. Treat them to the LaPalooza at the Ice Cream Company

31. Have a pajama ice cream raid on a summer night (Done)

32. Have a poolside movie night (Done)

33. Take them for Shamrock Shakes (Done)

Home

 34. Remodel schoolroom (Done)

35. Re-organize books (Done)

36. Keep up with summer house list; get help if needed

37. Remodel kitchen (Done)

38. Drip system in veggie boxes (Done)

39. Decks re-done (Done)

40. Plant grass and trees in pasture (Done)

41. Can summer bounty (freeze what I can’t get to) (Done)

42. Keep scrapbooking updated

43. Find bench for pond

44. Find table and chairs for deck (Done)

45. Build arbor for kitchen garden entry

46. Refurnish family room

47. Hold a garage sale; donate money to charity

48. Sort, de-clutter, re-organize craft stuff in laundry room (Done)

49. Clear dead plants out of sunroom  (Done)

50. Get a new box for girls’ clothes and sort (Done)

Blessing Our Extended Family

 51. Visit Grandpa B as much as possible (Done)

52. Anniversary party for Joe and Cookie (Done)

53. Encourage Kelly as she begins to homeschool (Done)

54. Invite Casey to stay a week or two with us

55. Keep in touch with Rebekah (Done)

56. Plan TX trip; visit Hoppers

57. Finish Mom’s wrap (Done)

58. Pray faithfully for extended family (Done)

Blessing Our Church Family

 59. Encourage another mom weekly at church with my words or a card

60. Meet regularly with the women Andy shepherds (Done)

61. Joyfully give Andy in service and time to the church body

62. Surprise three families with ice cream in the summer

63. Take children for three families for an overnighter

Growing as a Learning-Teacher

 64. War and Peace

65. Create a music history curriculum

66. Continue with classics

67. Finish books in the bedside basket

Growing in the Arts

 68. Take the kids to the SF Opera

69. Take the kids to the Brubeck Festival

70. Take the kids to each local museum once

71. Plan and execute another Christmas or Easter program

72. Record again

73. Plan and perform recital

74. See Sara Groves live (Done)

 Seeing God's Creation

 75. Take the kids to the beach by myself each summer for a do-nothing day at Capitola (Done)

76. Walk with the kids every day during third trimester (Done)

77. Pack picnics and head to the park to sketch the ducks (Done)

78. Ice skate in Curry Village

79. Go to Forestiere Underground Gardens (Done)

80. View the next lunar eclipse (Done)

81. Pull out the telescope and leave it on the deck all summer

82. Book a weekend at Costanoa or Treebones Resort

Completing My Tasks

83. File the “To File” stack (Done)

84. Slim in Six after the baby is born, and complete all six weeks (Done)

85. Power 90 after SI6 (Done)

86. Complete all school paperwork by August

87. Get kids’ passports (Done)

88. Finish book

89. Publish book

90. Make sure all reviews are in under the three-month mark (Done)

91. Complete funeral plans

92. Finish family tree

93. Frame and hang family tree

Managing Our Finances

94. Turn Upromise savings into 529 account

95. Save 4k for UK trip

96. Record spending for two months and come under budget (Done)

97. Give $50 each month to some unsuspecting soul (ask God’s guidance) (Done)

Miscellaney

98. Go one weekend a month without checking email

99. Take the kids to a UOP basketball game

100. Travel somewhere by train

101. Take care of my nails (Done)