I was perusing the vast Internet when I came upon this website, Day Zero. This has been a phenomenon that has spread across a countless number of blogs.
From the home of the 1001 Day Project:
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.
Calculating the End Date
You can easily find out when your project will end by using this handy tool at timeanddate.com.
In Progress
Completed
CHIA YUAN'S 101 IN 1001
Start Date: Friday, September 26, 2008
End Date: Friday, June 24, 2011
FRIENDS and FAMILY
1. Give 10 unexpected gifts (1/10)
2. Have a spa weekend with the girls
3. Host a dinner party
4. Host a game night party
5. Organize a picnic in Central Park
6. Make a family tree
7. Get engaged
8. Have a family movie night
9. Host Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner
10. Watch UFC with Shaun
11. Host a fondue night with cheese and chocolate fondue
12. Take a family photo
13. Plan my first pregnancy
TRAVEL and ADVENTURE
14. Plan a Bed and Breakfast getaway
15. Visit the Opera House in Sydney, Australia
16. Go apple picking
17. Go hiking
18. Go to a wine tasting
19. Visit the Great Wall in China
20. Visit the Taj Mahal in India
21. Take a hot air balloon ride
22. Go whale watching
23. Go camping
24. Go on a cruise
25. Go to SeaWorld in San Diego, CA
26. Swim with the dolphins
27. Go on a hayride
28. Go to Walt Disney World
CREATIVE
29. Knit Shaun a sweater or vest
30. Create a mini-albums (1/3)
31. Create, write, mail ‘thinking of you’ cards. (1/33)
32. Upload past photos on Flickr
33. Make my own Christmas Cards each year (1/3)
34. Take a photography class
35. Complete 101 scrapbooking pages (0/101)
36. Create food blog
37. Blog weekly
38. Publish a Blurb book
39. Buy a scrapbook for Shaun and I
40. Learn how to use Photoshop CS3
41. Attend a CKC Scrapbook Convention
42. Purchase a handmade bag from the Pink Lemonade Boutique
43. 365 Project, one photo a day for a year (22/365)
44. Make a photo key chain for Shaun
45. Renew monthly scrapbooking kit substription
CULINARY
46. Cook a meal with Shaun
47. Taking a cooking class with Shaun
48. Bake bread from scratch
49. Learn to cook 20 new different dishes (0/20)
50. Buy an ice cream maker
51. Make my own ice cream from scratch
52. Bake pumpkin whoopee pies
53. Learn how to make Indian curries
54. Enter a cooking contest
55. Bake alfajores cookies
GOING GREEN
56. Learn about composting
57. Plant a tree
58. Buy reusable bags for groceries
59. Use reusable bags for groceries
60. Plant flowers
61. Plant vegetables
62. Reuse and recycle
63. Switch bills to paperless statements
FINANCIAL
64. Buy a house
65. Plan a wedding
66. Put $2,000 into my Vanguard IRA account each year (1/3)
67. Put away $40,000 in my savings account ($30,200/$40,000)
68. Research where to invest money
69. Reinvest CD money somewhere else
HEALTH and FITNESS
70. Go to the dentist
71. Get a physical
72. Stop buying coffee at Starbucks
73. Abstain from drinking soda for a month
74. Compete in a half marathon
75. Increase my flexibility
76. Eat one fruit a day (44/1001)
77. Eat my vitamins every day for 6-months (0/6)
FOR ME
78. Buy a digital SLR
79. Buy a laptop
80. Get a Brazilian wax
81. Have boudoir photographs taken
82. Buy a new suit & shoes
83. Buy a Wii
84. Get a manicure & pedicure
85. Buy rain boots
86. Get a massage
87. Get a haircut at least every 6-months (1/6)
LEISURE
88. Explore Central Park
89. Watch a movie in a movie theater by myself
90. Wander the streets of New York City
91. Finish a 1,000 or more piece puzzle
92. Reread Harry Potter (0/7)
93. Reread Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit (0/4)
94. Read at least one book a month (0/33)
FROM MY HEART
95. Donate to the National Wildlife Federation
96. Walk in ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
97. Donate $50 to Drexel University (my alma mater)
98. Volunteer at ACS Daffodil Days every year (0/3)
99. Make 25 cards for cardsforheroes.org (11/30)
COMMUNITY
100. Vote in the presidential election
101. Create a new list of 101 in 1001 days
Have you started your list yet?