101 Goals in 1001 days:

I saw this on a couple of other blogs and was inspired. So here it goes...

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.


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 Focused. 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.

Here are my goals for the next 1001 days!

101 Goals in 1001 Days

Health
1. Lose 25 pounds by my birthday. (September 21, 2010)
2. Participate in a 5K race for a cause...with my mom.
3. Exercise 4x's per week for at least 2 weeks. (One week and one day down three days to go to meet this goal).
4. Don't eat after dinner for 30 days.
5. Do 50 sit ups without stopping.
6. No sodas for 2 weeks.
7. Drink 48 ounces of water/day for 2 consecutive weeks.
8. Take vitamin daily.
9. Eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day.
10. Try a new vegetable.
11. Join the gym and GO!
12. Run a mile without stopping.

Spiritual
13. Complete two personal Bible studies per year.
14. Prayer journal every day for 1 month.
15. Lead a bible study at my home and invite someone who does not go to my church.
16. Read one spiritual growth book-not about parenting!
17. Memorize 50 scripture verses.
18. Review memory verses twice a week.
19. Read through the Bible in 2 years.
20. Share my passion for Christ with a stranger.
21. Complete the 30 Day True Woman Challenge
22. Complete Beth Moore David devotional
23. Complete the Passion of Christ by John Piper


Personal
24. DO a photo journal for Blake.
25. DO a photo journal for Landon.
26. DO a photo journal for Gavin.
27. DO a photo journal for Holden.
28. Paint bedroom.
29. Paint boys bathroom.
30. Paint master bathroom.
31. Paint front bedroom.
32. Decorate and furnish back patio to make it suitable for entertaining.
33. Read 10 books before the summer.
34. Go one week without clothes left in my room waiting to be folded and put away...in other words, do it IMMEDIATELY!
35. Keep my van clean-really clean for 1 consecutive month. (Maybe this will happen closer to the end of my allotted time when Holden is more accountable)
36. Find an effective organization system for coupons or find out from Kris Hughes.
37. Organize freezer with baskets.
38. Go one week without arguing with my children.
39. Be friendly and talk to a person in a checkout line.
40. Go one week without complaining.

Family
41. REREAD Love Languages for Children.
42. Start a family devotion time once a week.
43. Pray with the boys every night for 30 days.
44. Respond to my children with a soft answer for 7 consecutive days.
45. Read one of Blake's favorite books and try to share that story with him. (He likes weird books!)
46. Plan a family fun night that does not include tv.
47. Read a book to children every day for 14 consecutive days.
48. Plan one fun family activity every week for 1 month that does not include tv.
49. Reread Creative Correction to refresh on ideas to creatively deal with sibling disagreements.
50. Get new family photo.
51. Go on a date with each of my boys separately.
52. Play kickball with my kids.
53. Go camping.
54. Go on RV road trip with family.
55. Make a snowman. (not sure where, but that is not the point of this)
56. Start and keep a journal of the cute things the kids say and do.
57. Make my bed everyday for 30 days.
58. Go one week without raising my voice to my children.

Marriage
59. Start once-a-month date nights and do for 3 months.
60. Start doing nightly devotion and prayer time with Russ again.
61. Go on a date and don't talk about the kids.
62. One overnight date a year.
63. Greet Russ at the door or driveway everyday for 2 weeks...I am pretty sure we may need medical treatment on day 4, but hey, I think it is worth a try!)
64. Thank Russ once a week for something specific that I usually take for granted (ex:working, playing with the kids, helping me) for 4 consecutive weeks.
65. Planning a surprise outing for Russ and I.
66. Complete the 30 Day Husband Prayer Challenge.
67. Go to the beach in the evening for a walk with Russ... :)

Friends
68. Go on a girls weekend with Emily.
69. Go on a girls weekend with anyone else who wants to go with me.
70. Ask a friend how can I pray for them.

Financial
71. Do or create something that will earn a little extra income for my family just so I can feel a part of helping in that way.
72. Buy groceries for someone who cannot afford them.
74. Only eat out once a week.
75. Save for Christmas budget.
76. Pay off loan.

Just Because
77. Write a letter to a government official regarding an issue I feel passionate about.
78. Tour 3 college campuses with the boys.
79. Go to a battle reinactment at Boone Hall.
80. Sponsor a college student or 2.
81. Do a kind gesture anonomously and for no reason.
82. Write a letter of appreciation to someone I appreciate.

Household
83. Dust entire house once a week for 2 consecutive months.
84. Clean out entire refrigerator and freezer.
85. Organize recipes.
86. Steam vac the carpet in the whole house.
87. Clean inside and outside of glass doors.
88. Mow the yard once a week for 1 months.

Just for Fun
89. Take 1 quality picture a day for 30 days.
90. Join a book club.
91. Grow fresh herbs.
92. Grow a vegetable garden.
93. Bake something for each of the boys' classmates.
94. Make lettuce wraps.
95. Make a quilt.
96. Get a massage.
97. Learn to make jewelry with all my supplies I got 2 years ago! :)
98. Make a new recipe once a month for 6 months.
99. Make dinner for my neighbors.
100. Volunteer at the homeless shelter at least once!
101. Buy myself a new outfit in celebration of completing my 101 goals!!!

Start date: November 6, 2009
Completion date: September 2, 2012

Whew! This is going to be challenging and fun! I should add one final note: as a Christian, God can and probably will change some or all of these goals as He sees fit. So, pretend that there is a "God willing" after every one of these items.