A Different Version of New Year's Resolutions

101 Goals in 1001 days

brought to you by Day Zero

So this is it....a big year for me!  I turn 40.  And for whatever reason (I can't pinpoint it exactly), it's really bothering me.  The best I've been able to discern is that I don't feel like I should be 40, so it seems like such a big disconnect to be turning 40.

Over the last few months, I've been thinking about what I could do to use the "big 4-0 year" to 1) make changes that I've wanted to make, 2) challenge myself to grow, 3) feel empowered, 4) invest more into my relationships, 5) make a difference in my community, etc.  I've seen other bloggers do the 101 Goals in 1001 Days and the more I thought about it, it just seemed like the perfect challenge to start in my 40th year.  So here goes.... 

The Mission: 

Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days. 

The Criteria: 

Tasks must be specific (no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (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.  

Below is my list, ordered into relevant categories. I am starting a separate page (located at the top of the blog) to document my journey, and I would love for you to follow along. 

My 101 Goals . . . 

January 1, 2011 -  September 28, 2013

For Me - 

1. Have an outdoor family portrait taken in the fall

2. Create a painting

3. Try 6 new, non-chain restaurants (0/6)

4. Buy 5 new outfits that I feel amazing in (0/5)

5. Take a weekend getaway with girlfriends

6. Watch It's a Wonderful Life

7. Back up all the pictures that are on the computer

8. Spend a day at the spa

9. Mani & pedi for 3 months (0/3)

For My Mind - 

10. Go to bed at 10pm for 1 week

11. Read 3 non-fiction books (0/3)

12. Read 3 biographies (0/3)

13. Read 3 parenting books (0/3)

14. Watch 3 documentaries (0/3)

For My Spirit - 

15. Memorize 1 Bible verse/month for 1 year (0/12)

16. Complete a Beth Moore Bible study

17. Spend a day listening to classical music

18. Only positive thoughts, words & actions for 1 week

19. Attend Friday Mass with Jack 6 times (0/6)

For My Marriage -

20. Set aside 1 date night/month for 3 months (0/3)

21. Affirm Brent when speaking to others

22. Go on a marriage retreat with Brent

23. Weekend getaway to NYC with Brent

24. Surprise getaway with Brent

25. Pray for our marriage while making our bed everyday for 1 month

26. Read The Five Love Languages & implement what I learn

27. For the petty irritations that arise in our marriage, chose not to make a mountain out of a molehill

For My Children -

28.  Affirm my children in a meaningful, relevant way at least once a week

29. Make a family time capsule to be opened in 10 years

30. Swim with dolphins

31. Prepare a will

32. Get a copy of Will's birth certificate

33. Read The Chronicles of Narnia with Jack

34. Go snow tubing

35. Go to an amusement park

36. Go on a family picnic

37. See a Christmas light display as a family

38. Have a family campout in the backyard 

39. Teach Jack to tie his shoes

40. Teach Will to ride his bike

41. Have a family game night

42. Go see a live nativity

43. Take a train trip somewhere

44. Spend an afternoon at the ballpark

45. Scrapbook the boys' birthdays

For My Health - 

46. Complete a 10K

47. Complete a half marathon

48. Go jogging on the beach

49. Take a yoga class 2x/week for 1 month

50. Swim for exercise 2x/week for 1 month

51. Take vitamins & supplements every day for 1 month

52. Floss every day for 1 month

53. Complete the 200 sit-ups challenge

54. Be able to do 30 regular push-ups

55. Get a mammogram

56. Go for 4 weeks without the scale while still focusing on healthy living (0/4)

57. Try a new fitness class (bootcamp, spin, step)

For My Home - 

58. Update/renovate kitchen

59. Restage/finish decorating the den

60. Buy new master bedroom furniture

61. Redecorate master bedroom

62. Buy new towels

63. Buy new cookware

64. Organize the junk drawer in the kitchen

65. Fill up the picture frame in Will's room

66. Add something I love to every room

67. Clean out/organize mail basket

68. Organize boys' school projects

69. Clean out fridge and freezers

70. Install a shelving system in the extra closet

71. Clean the ceiling fans & AC vents

For My Table - 

72. Try a new recipe 1x/week for 8 weeks (0/8)

73. Take a cooking class

74. Pre-plan meals for 1 month out & stick with the plan

75. Spend a day making meals for the freezer

76. Grow tomatoes

77. Attempt to make creme brulee`

78. Teach Jack to make 1 meal all by himself

79. Have dessert for dinner

For My Wallet - 

80. For 3 months, save the money the grocery receipt tells me I've saved (0/3)

81. Make contributions to the boys' savings accounts (0/12)

82. Fully fund the emergency fund

83. Save all loose change that I have/find for 12 months (0/12)

84. Find 5 free/unique activities to do as a family (0/5)

85. Investigate using computer software for family finances

For My Blog - 

86. Get a professional blog makeover

87. Leave a comment on 10 blogs (0/10)

88. Post a week in review post for 4 weeks straight

89. Investigate turning blog posts into scrapbooks

90. Find 5 new blogs to follow (0/5)

For Others - 

91. Make a charitable donation in honor of 4 people (0/4)

92. Do 20 random acts of kindness (0/20)

93. Invite friends over for dinner

94. Volunteer in the community with the boys

95. Have the boys select an Angel Tree child their age

96. Host a theme party

97. Send a care package to a soldier

98. Donate blood

99. Participate in Operation Christmas Child

100. Buy Christmas presents for those who have helped us throughout the year (mailman, garbage men, etc)

101. Donate $10 to charity for every item I don't complete at the end of 1001 days