101 in 1001

I've decided to do it. Here is my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. Full details of can be found at Day Zero. My finish date is calculated at 29 March 2011. I'll blog my progress along the way.

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.

Here is my list, in no particular order except the order I thought of them in. Some of my goals are short term and easily achieved (58. Buy a Lotto ticket); others will take longer (17. Get new Buzz band going). Some are free and easy to enjoy (33. Jump in a puddle); others will cost a fair bit (3. Buy my own home!). A few are already part of my regular routine that I would like to continue (1. Read at least one book per month); others are new things I want to try (50. Ride in a hot air balloon).

1. Read at least one book per month (0/34)
2. Complete two cross-stitch embroideries (0/2)
3. Buy my own home
4. Visit Tricia in Auckland
5. Complete Wellington Round the Bays (7km walk)
6. Complete Wellington Marathon 10km walk
7. Blog at least three times per week
8. Send flowers to someone
9. Swim with dolphins
10. Bake a carrot cake
11. Visit Somes Island
12. Play the piano at least once a month (0/34)
13. Walk/cycle to the Pencarrow lighthouse and have a picnic
14. Submit a sentence to onesentence.org
15. Update my email addresses on Hotmail, Mail and work accounts
16. Learn to make tiramisu
17. Get new Buzz band going
18. Create website for Buzz band
19. Lose 12 kg
20. Throw a party for friends
21. Take a boat trip
22. Feed duckies
23. Fly a kite
24. Buy a Michael McCormack painting/print of Island Bay
25. Go berry picking
26. Go tenpin bowling
27. Play mini golf
28. Play a board game with friends
29. Dance at a formal ball
30. Relax in hot mineral pools
31. Read a classic novel
32. Add at least two more countries’ stamps to my passport (0/2)
    
33. Jump in a puddle
34. Blow bubbles on a sunny day
35. Watch the sun rise
36. Watch the sun set with someone special
37. Swing on park swings
38. Go to the zoo
39. Host a brunch for friends
40. Visit Karori Wildlife Sanctuary
41. Fix/sew up my clothes that need minor mending
42. Have a massage
43. Have a bubble bath
44. Sort out/purge my teaching resources
45. Sort out/organise my MEd resources
46. Organise recipes
47. Digitally organise my song lyrics
48. Find something to be happy and thankful for each day
49. Go to the Scarecrow Festival in Gladstone
50. Ride in a hot air balloon
51. Go to the Martinborough Fair
52. Watch It’s A Wonderful Life at Christmas time
53. Walk in the water with sand between my toes
54. Walk/dance in the rain
55. Have yum char with friends
56. Paint my fingernails
57. Lie on the grass and watch the clouds go by
58. Buy a Lotto ticket
59. Have my hand hennaed
60. Have a bath by candlelight
61. Taste French champagne
62. Take ballroom dancing lessons
63. Donate to charity
64. Bake and decorate cupcakes
65. Buy a dress
66. Spend an hour people watching
67. Read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
68. Send a postcard in the mail
69. Take meaningful photos of my local area
70. Host a girls’ craft session
71. Do a jigsaw puzzle
72. Donate to a food bank
73. Take a train ride
74. Lie in a hammock
75. Cook a 3-course meal for someone
76. Knit something
77. Visit an aviary
78. Take a photo of a butterfly
79. Bake something to give away
80. Decorate a room with fairy lights
81. Go to an art exhibition
82. Make home-made sushi
83. Have a computer-free weekend (all of Sat/Sun)
84. Take a photo of apple/cherry blossom in spring
85. Go to a concert
86. Sit on the edge of a wharf/jetty
87. Try 10 new recipes (0/10)
88. Give old clothes to charity
89. Eat waffles for breakfast/brunch
90. Send a postcard via postcrossing.com
91. Release a book into the wild via bookcrossing.com
92. Learn how to play the ukulele
    
93. Buy daffodils/freesias just because it’s spring
94. Ride a bike
95. Make chocolate/Easter eggs
96. Use reusable shopping bags at the supermarket
97. Keep CV up to date
98. Buy a print of Vettriano’s The Singing Butler
99. Buy a print of Van Gogh’s Café Terrace at Night
100. Put aside $10 for each goal achieved
101. **Top secret!**
     

Goals in italics are in progress.
Goals in bold and colour have been achieved.

We'll see where I end up in 2011!