101 in 1001

Well that went by quickly.

by Jessi on October 11, 2013

In January of 2011, I wrote a list of 101 things that I wanted to complete in 1001 days in lieu of New Year’s resolutions. Well, that deadline snuck past me at the end of September. Let’s see if I completed all 101 of the tasks, shall we? {spoiler alert: I didn’t}

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 organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

The Start Date:
1/1/11

The End Date:
9/27/13

Goals in progress are italicized, goals completed are bolded

+ CREATE & LEARN

1. Design a logo for Jessi Makes Things

2. Read five classic novels (0/5)

3. Read 100 books (31/100)

4. Design an album of our wedding photos

5. Make a headboard

6. Complete my t-shirt quilt

7. Reupholster a piece of furniture

8. Read biographies of five people I admire (3/5)

9. Make blog button for Jessi Makes Things

10. Learn how to crochet

11. Make a Year in Pictures album

12. Learn how to play a Beatles song on the guitar

13. Cook 50 recipes from cookbooks I own (5/50)

14. Take an art class

15. Take a photo every day for a month

16. Make bread from scratch (June 2011)

+ FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

17. Plan a surprise for Jacob

18. Visit my grandparents (without my parents) (April 2011)

19. Go to 3 nice dinners with just my dad (0/3)

20. Take a Mother-Daughter Trip (March 2011)

21. Write a love letter to my husband

22. Spend a day with just my sister

23. Bring flowers to my paternal grandparents’ graves

24. Have a girls’ weekend retreat (March 2011)

+ ENTERTAINMENT & TRAVEL

25. Swim in an ocean (July 2012)

26. Take a cruise

27. Visit a country I’ve never been to (Switzerland, April 2013)

28. Go camping

29. See the Christmas lights at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO (December 2011)

30. Visit Randy and Tamara (Switzerland, April 2013)

31. Go to Vegas

32. Go to a football game in another state

33. Visit two states I’ve never been to (1/2 – Ohio)

34. Go on a roadtrip (April 2011)

+ ORGANIZE

35. Buy/make birthday cards and greeting cards to have on-hand and send

36. Change name on credit cards, bank accounts, etc ( February 2011)

37. Convert family home videos to DVD

38. Write a living will / “if something happens to me” letter

39. Put together a portfolio of projects I’ve worked on — both personal and professional

40. Back up all digital images onto external hard drives

41. Mail Christmas Cards out before Christmas (December 2011)

42. Clear out my email inbox

+ FUN

43. Host a fancy dinner party for friends

44. Post my outfit every day for one month (0/30)

45. Don’t swear for a week

46. Go to a BlogHer conference

47. Try 15 new {to me} restaurants in Fayetteville (7/15 : HuHot Mongolian Grill, Sunrise Cafe, Twin Kitchen, Fresco Cafe, Posta Plata, Burger Life, Petra Cafe, Geraldi’s, East Side Grill, Greenhouse Grille, Green Submarine, Apple Blossom Brewing Company, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, Arsaga’s at the Depot, Art’s Place)

48. Try three foods I’ve never had before (3/3: Tofu, Foie Gras, Brussell Sprouts {i know…})

49. Adopt a dog (April 2011!)

50. Get at least one room to a place where I feel it’s fully decorated (Guest bedroom!)

51. Shop at an IKEA (March 2011)

52. Have a housewarming party

53. Finish my family heritage/ancestry scrapbook

54. Acquire a KitchenAid stand mixer

55. Can or pickle some sort of vegetable (August 2011)

56. Blog every day for a month

57. Get a custom embossed stamp made

58. Plant flowers (May 2011)

59. Plant a vegetable garden (March 2011)

60. Watch a sunrise (July 2012)

61. Watch a sunset (July 2012)

+ FOR OTHERS

62. Send flowers anonymously to a friend in need

63. Leave an Operation Beautiful message in a public place

64. Send out ten letters to people, just because (0/10)

65. Donate $200 to charity

66. Make a video about a typical day of my life

67. Buy/make ten gifts for people, just because (5/10)

68. Pay for the person behind me in a drive-thru

+ FOR MYSELF

69. Get a facial

70. Don’t go on Facebook for a week

71. Go to a coffee shop with a book and enjoy the afternoon solo

72. Don’t watch TV for a week

73. Don’t use the internet (for personal use) for a week

74. Don’t complain about anything for a week

75. Don’t speak a single word for a day

76. Get a massage

77. Write a letter to myself to be opened when the 1001 days is over

78. Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years

79. Write a list of 100 things that make me happy

80. Write a list of 101 things I’ve already achieved in this lifetime

81. Submit to a photo contest

+ HEALTH

82. Try Hot Yoga- – Spring 2012 -Loved it!

83. Run a marathon

84. Run a sub 2:15 half marathon

85. Write down everything I eat for one month (Sept 2011)

86. Don’t eat out for one month

87. Be a vegetarian for one month

88. Floss every day for one month

89. Don’t eat sweets for a month (May 2013)

90. Take daily vitamins once a day for at least a month

91. Complete the 100 Pushup Challenge

+ BUSINESS & CAREER & MONEY

92. Pay off all personal credit card debt (February 2012! —ugh. not anymore)

93. Order and design business cards for Jessi Makes Things

94. Create a Facebook page for Jessi Makes Things

95. Open an Etsy shop

96. Sell something on Etsy

97. Monetize Jessi Makes Things blog

98. Do a craft show

99. Create a business/life plan.

100. Track every purchase on mint for 30 days (April 2011)

101. Save $ 6,000 for an emergency fund

Basically, in 1001 days, I started 5 tasks and completed a mere 30 out of 101. When I first pulled up the list to write this post, I’ll be honest, I got a little sad. There’s a lot of meaningful things on that list that I really did intend to do in the last two and a half years that just didn’t happen.

But a lot of wonderful things have also happened since January of 2011. We adopted Lois. We visited our friends in Switzerland. I planted a vegetable garden. Hell, I went to IKEA!

In the end, I’m really glad that I started this project even if I didn’t techinically finish it in time. Now I have a great list of short-term and long-term goals to work on – no matter how long it takes me. Now who wants to teach me how to play a Beatles song on the guitar or take me to Vegas?!

{ 2 comments }

101 in 1001: an update

by Jessi on April 14, 2011

I’m happy to report that after my pity party on Monday, I have had a very productive week. I made and hung an Easter garland

(I saved the image and not the website where I got this idea from. Anyone know where I got it?)

I’ve also painted, sewed some cute onesies for my nephew, and started a new wall art project. It’s been a good week!

Aside from all of the encouraging words, the other thing that rekindled my motivation taking a look at my 101 in 1001 list. It’s been a little over three months since I started, and I’m making some progress but definitely not enough. Reading over the list definitely got me really excited about all of the fun tasks left to conquer.

So far I’ve started:

3. Read 100 books (2/100)

You can click the link above to check out my book list on GoodReads at anytime. I’m going to try to keep it as updated as possible.

8. Read biographies of five people I admire (1/5)

I’m not sure if Tina Fey’s book counts as a biography, but it’s about her life so I’m counting it. Definitely recommend this one if you’re into funny ladies.

47. Try 15 new restaurants in Fayetteville (2/15 : HuHot Mongolian Grill, Sunrise Cafe)

I’m addicted to HuHot and not afraid to admit it.

48. Try three foods I’ve never had before (1/3: Tofu)

On pizza, and then again in a stir fry. Tasteless with a weird texture, exactly like I expected.

67. Buy/make ten gifts for people, just because (1/10)

I sent my sister-in-law a photobook of all the hospital pictures of Maddox. It was so cute I was tempted to keep it for myself.

100. Track every purchase on mint for 30 days (April 2011)

Mint is awesome, but it doesn’t update as well as the online budget/portfolio section of Bank of America and it won’t let me add one of my credit cards so I don’t have an accurate financial statement. Mint wins in the budget category, though so I plan to keep it in the long run.

So far I’ve completed:

20. Take a Mother-Daughter Trip (March 2011)

Two birds one stone with the girls shopping trip my sister, mom, and I took to Dallas last month.

24. Have a girls’ weekend retreat (March 2011)

36. Change name on credit cards, bank accounts, etc (February 2011)

51. Shop at an IKEA (March 2011)

Still talking about this store!

59. Plant a vegetable garden (March 2011)

We’ve had some very exciting developments this week! Stay tuned for an update

I’ll also be completing these very soon!

18. Visit my grandparents (without my parents)

34. Go on a roadtrip

49. Adopt a dog

58. Plant flowers

So there you have it. Progress, 3 months in. You can see the rest of the list here.

The best part about the 2.5 year timeframe is I feel inspired instead of rushed to complete the tasks. Looks like I have many more fun adventures and projects ahead of me!

Anyone else have a 101 in 1001 list or current goals they’re working on?
Send me the link, I’d love to see them!