Welcome 2010!

Instead of making new year's resolutions that never seem to happen, I decided to give myself some extra time. 1001 days in fact. There are many bloggers out there who have participated in this challenge and I decided to try it as well. You can check out the Day Zero Project for more information. I have created a Bucket List of goals I would like to accomplish.... 101 goals in 1001 days. I figure if I make the list public and blog about my experiences, then there is a stronger sense of accountability and more motivation to actually follow through. Who knows how many things I will actually accomplish, but I'll have fun trying. I am keeping an updated list linked to this blog in the right column, but I will post it here as well for a quick glance. Hopefully some of the goals I have listed will become habits that continue for a lifetime. Wish me luck, and if you get inspired to write your own list, let me know so I can cross off number 67!

The Challenge:
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 your part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. 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, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

Items in GREEN have been completed, ORANGE are in progress

MY BUCKET LIST

MONEY MATTERS

1. Pay off my student loans

2. Pay off my hubby's truck

3. Become first time homeowners

4. Transfer entire tax return into savings

5. Transfer $10 to my savings account as I complete each task (0/101)

6. Donate $10 to charity for each task not completed

7. Create a will (just in case!)

8. Establish a savings account for my future children

9. Pay off all credit cards

10. Get a raise at work

11. Buy a new car

12. Leave a 100% tip

13. Sell something I made

14. Buy formal dining room furniture

15. Spend $100 at a casino

16. Give $20 to a homeless person

17. Buy new living room furniture

18. Create a monthly budget

RELATIONSHIPS

19. Send random gifts to 5 friends (0/5)

20. Adopt another kitten or a puppy

21. Make a baby

22. Have a reunion with all of my UF friends

23. Exchange letters with a pen pal

24. Write a letter to my husband on each wedding anniversary (0/3)

25. Attend 4 Nestie GTGs in one year (0/4)

26. Write letters to 5 people expressing what they mean to me (0/5)

27. Send Christmas cards to 100 people one year

28. Call my NJ relatives twice a month for a year (0/12)

29. Have a date night with my husband once a month for a year (0/12)

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

30. Las Vegas

31. Take an international vacation

32. Tennessee to visit Yvonne

33. New Jersey to visit my family

34. Minnesota to visit my husband's family

35. Shout from the top of a mountain

36. St. Augustine, the spot where we got engaged

37. North Carolina

38. Go on a cruise

39. Update passport with new last name

40. Allow my husband to fly us somewhere without another pilot

41. Go Para sailing

HEALTH & FITNESS

42. Complete Couch to 5K program

43. Try a new healthy recipe once a week for a year (0/52)

44. Bring lunch to work every day for a month (0/20)

45. Lose 50 pounds (0/50)

46. Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred every day for 30 days (0/30)

47. No red meat or pork for 90 days (0/90)

48. Record every calorie consumed for 30 days (0/30)

49. 50 crunches a day for 50 days (0/50)

50. Take a Zumba class

51. Get a professional massage

52. Drink only water every day for one month (0/30)

53. No eating after 8 PM every day for a month (0/30)

FASHION & BEAUTY

54. Buy a pair of jeans that costs more than $100

55. Dye my hair

56. Wear a different pair of shoes to work every day for a month (0/20)

57. Donate hair to locks of love

58. Take boudoir pictures

59. Straighten my hair and wear make up every day for a month (0/30)

60. Get laser hair removal on my legs

61. Wear a bikini in public

62. Get a makeover

63. Refrain from purchasing any clothes or accessories for 2 months

HOBBIES & ENTERTAINMENT

64. Take a cake decorating class

65. Learn how to create floral arrangements

66. Compose a blog entry every day for one month (0/30)

67. Inspire someone to begin a 101 in 1001 list

68. Read one new book each month for a year (0/12)

69. Watch a new movie that begins with each letter of the alphabet (0/26)

70. Take a picture with a celebrity or get an autograph

71. See a psychic

72. Attend a convention

73. Be a guest blogger on someone's blog

74. See a movie on opening night

75. Host a house party

76. See a live production

77. Create 10 DIY projects for our house (0/10)

78. Buy an original piece of art

79. Try 10 new restaurants (0/10)

80. Plan a surprise party

JUST FOR FUN

81. Send a postcard to PostSecret

82. No facebook for one week

83. Buy dinner for a stranger

84. Leave 25 post-its for Operation Beautiful (0/25)

85. Make a snow angel

86. Buy a real Christmas tree

87. Write a letter to my state senator

88. Write 3 letters of praise for a great product or service (0/3)

89. Donate 101 items (0/101)

90. Learn to drive a stick shift car

91. Create my own cookbook

92. Write a letter to my 16 year old self

93. List 100 things I am thankful for

94. Stay home from work one day for no reason at all

95. Execute an April Fool's Day joke

96. Use reusable grocery bags for one month

97. Win a bet

98. Take an IQ test

99. Rearrange all of the furniture in the house

100. Write a new list of 101 things

101. Reflect on this challenge