101 in 1001: Update

As of today, Saturday March 29 2008, I have accomplished twenty one tasks on my 101 in 1001 list. At this rate (mind that this is just a rough estimate), I will accomplish about 99 things by the end of 1001 days (roughly 33 months). Quite an amazing feat -- if I manage to stay consistant with it all -- even if I don't complete every single task. Thus far, I have:


2. Buy a nice camera of my own, with my own money. Completed 9/14/07: Mom gave me the "family camera." Close enough.
3. Move to Marquette. Completed 8/23/07
12. Buy an item of clothing from a vintage clothing store or thrift shop. Completed sometime in December 2007
21. Wear less makeup for one month. Completed 10/12/07: I made it two months, and counting...
22. And be comfortable about it. Completed 9/?/07: It hasn't been a month, but I realized there's more important things than putting on makeup.
23. Get a very short hair cut. Completed 1/10/2008
24. Buy a pair of square-rimmed glasses. Completed 3/5/08
25. Drink at least three glasses of water a day for three months. Completed 11/28/07, and still counting.
29. Get an internship at a local hospital. I changed my major to history, so this is impossible now.
30. Overcome my fear of talking on the phone. Completed 8/?/07: Called my Financial Aid Advisor.
36. Participate in NaNoWriMo. Word count: 857 words, but I quit after that.
50. Buy appliances and supplies for my dorm. Completed 8/24/07: Mom helped me buy a mini-fridge and a microwave.
64. Go to the Cinema more than once a year. Saw two films in 2007 (The Nanny Diaries and I Am Legend)
65. Walk or bike to class when the weather permits for three months. Completed 11/28/07 and still going.
73. Subscribe to Smithsonian magazine. Dad suscribed in his name, but gives me the magazines.
81. Drive somewhere alone. Completed: 8/16/07 (to the library)
84. Read 52 books in 52 weeks. (45 books read from January 1, 2007 to February 1, 2008)
94. Talk to my future roommate. Completed: 8/16/07: As of 8/24/07 she's not my roommate...
95. Read something by Neil Gaiman. Completed: 8/16/07 -Endless Nights Special
96. Make a chart of my class schedules for every week, for the fall semester 2007. Completed 8/21/07
97. And for the winter semester 2008 Completed 12/28/07


And so it continues...

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.

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.




Start: Tuesday August 14, 2007
Finish: Tuesday May 11, 2010

Strikethrough = Finished
Italics = in progress
Bold = Comments


1. Read A Clockwork Orange.
2. Buy a nice camera of my own, with my own money. Completed 9/14/07: Mom gave me the "family camera." Close enough.
3. Move to Marquette. Completed 8/23/07
4. Get a job.
5. Watch every season of Doctor Who.
6. Eat, or at least try, real lobster.
7. Get a tattoo.
8. Buy all of Eddie Izzard's stand up specials.
9. Learn to play piano/keyboard.
10. Get a labret.
11. Visit an art museum.
12. Buy an item of clothing from a vintage clothing store or thrift shop. Completed sometime in December 2007
13. Lose 75 lbs.
14. Do some sort of exercise every day for three months.
15. Eat less carbs; one slice of bread a day and that's it for one month.
16. Eat at least three different fruits/vegetables a day for three months. Started 2/28/08
17. Send a secret to PostSecret.
18. Sell/give away any clothes and shoes not worn in the past year.
19. Have a professional bra-fitting.
20. Dress as Alex DeLarge for Halloween.
21. Wear less makeup for one month. Completed 10/12/07: I made it two months, and counting...
22. And be comfortable about it. Completed 9/?/07: It hasn't been a month, but I realized there's more important things than putting on makeup.
23. Get a very short hair cut. Completed 1/10/2008
24. Buy a pair of square-rimmed glasses. Completed 3/5/08
25. Drink at least three glasses of water a day for three months. Completed 11/28/07, and still counting.
26. Give someone I don't know/wouldn't normally talk to a compliment. I need to get over this shyness complex, first.
27. Buy or receive a cell phone.
28. Wear something other than band tees and jeans for three weeks straight.
29. Get an internship at a local hospital. I changed my major to history, so this is impossible now.
30. Overcome my fear of talking on the phone. Completed 8/?/07: Called my Financial Aid Advisor.
31. Watch the news at least three times a week for one year. As of 12/2/07, I am still doing it.
32. Make finishing my assignments my first priority.
33. Run a mile without stopping.
34. Floss every day.
35. Brush my teeth twice a day, every day, for three months. Start: 12/2/07
36. Participate in NaNoWriMo. Word count: 857 words, but I quit after that.
37. Go on a hike.
38. Participate in a run/walk for charity.
39. Make my bed every morning for -- ever.
40. Do not be afraid to do anything on this list.
41. Procrastinate less.
42. Don't watch TV instead of doing chores/homework.
43. Read Slaughterhouse V.
44. Buy a manga book and read it cover-to-cover.
45. Take a yoga class.
46. Don't bite my lips for two weeks. Started 9/17/07; failed 9/20/07 -- Restart: 12/2/07
47. Go to a real play.
48. Frame my painting.
49. Frame the Art Club group photo in Times Square.
50. Buy appliances and supplies for my dorm. Completed 8/24/07: Mom helped me buy a mini-fridge and a microwave.
51. Give blood at least five times. Given: 2
52. Get a matching tattoo with someone close to me.
53. Read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
54. Have mom teach me how to crochet.
55. Crochet myself a scarf and matching hat.
56. Write down one meaningful thought a day for three months. Started 12/2/07
57. Watch all of James Stewart's films. 12/92:
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
The Shop Around the Corner
The Philadelphia Story
Ziefeld Girl
It's A Wonderful Life
Harvey
The Glenn Miller Story
Rear Window
Strategic Air Command
Vertigo
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West
Rope
58. Buy a Tool poster.
59. Get a boyfriend.
60. Have my first kiss.
61. Write everyone important in my life a letter by Christmas.
62. Give them the letters for Christmas.
63. Learn Italian.
64. Go to the Cinema more than once a year. Saw two films in 2007 (The Nanny Diaries and I Am Legend)
65. Walk or bike to class when the weather permits for three months. Completed 11/28/07 and still going.
66. For every one task I complete on this list, I will think of something to take its place.
67. Make another 101 list after I finish this one.
68. Join at least two groups on campus.
73. Subscribe to Smithsonian magazine. Dad suscribed in his name, but gives me the magazines.
74. Buy a pair of high heels.
75. Vote for President.
76. Spend less time on the computer.
77. And more time outside.
78. Buy a shirt from Threadless.com.
79. Do the crossword in ink.
80. Shave my legs every other day for a month.
81. Drive somewhere alone. Completed: 8/16/07 (to the library)
82. Buy a random book I've never heard of, and would never read, and read it. Speak Softly, She Can Hear by Pam Lewis
83. Wake up early enough to watch the sun rise.
84. Read 52 books in 52 weeks. (45 books read from January 1, 2007 to February 1, 2008)
85. Recycle. Started 10/20/07
86. Create a scrapbook to remember the 2006 NYC trip.
87. Read Wicked.
88. Put all my music on my laptop (in iTunes). Started 9/?/07
89. Listen to all my mixed-song CDs and list each song on each CD, so I remember.
90. Get eight hours of sleep a night for a whole month.
91. Not be afraid to talk to someone.
92. Swim in Lake Superior.
93. Join at least three clubs at NMU.
94. Talk to my future roommate. Completed: 8/16/07: As of 8/24/07 she's not my roommate...
95. Read something by Neil Gaiman. Completed: 8/16/07 -Endless Nights Special
96. Make a chart of my class schedules for every week, for the fall semester 2007. Completed 8/21/07
97. And for the winter semester 2008 Completed 12/28/07
98. Read I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert.
99. Apply for as many scholarships and grants as I can.
100. No matter what happens, enjoy this new chapter of my life.
101. Finish every last task on this list by Tuesday May 11, 2010.