One year to go: 101 Things in 1001 Days

September 28th, 2009

My 101 Things in 1001 Days list features pretty heavily on this blog, but I find it difficult to report back on every completed task. I’m not sure that I can expect you to care that I have had my couches steam-cleaned, or that I’ve finished another book by a Melbourne author. I may not always write about it, but I am quietly getting stuff done in the background!

But not quickly enough! Today marks the final 365 days of my challenge, and I still have a long way to go. Here’s where I’m up to now:

progress2

I’m really happy to be past the half-way mark, but a bit concerned about the rate at which I need to complete them in order to finish my list on time. On the other hand, I’ve already made good progress on another 22% of tasks, so that should help me to rack up some more red boxes!

I really can’t recommend this challenge highly enough. Since January 1st 2008 I have managed to do the following – all thanks to my list!

  • I gave up chocolate for a month. Madness.
  • I have developed a more sophisticated interest in wine, and discovered how lucky I am to live in such a great wine region
  • I’ve given blood for the first time, and renewed my Senior First Aid certificate
  • I’ve kept a swear jar, learned a few constellations and all the US state capitals
  • I’ve sponsored a beautiful kid in Ecuador, and already learned so much through letters from her family
  • I’ve slept under the stars, carved my first Halloween pumpkin and executed an amusing prank
  • I’ve improved a bunch of the “stuff” I own – bought a car, beautiful new knives, the perfect coffee table, the Mac of my dreams, a couple of new camera lenses, a new bed and a BBQ. And yes, I had my couches steam cleaned.
  • I’ve challenged myself to draw every day for a month, to draw everything I ate for one week, and to take a list of 100 words and turn them into 100 snapshots.

    I suppose I might have bought some of the stuff on my wishlist, but otherwise I’m not sure I’d have ever gotten around to doing the stuff listed above. It’s really cool that I’ve been able to set aside the time to make it all happen.

    The next 12 months will bring some big adventures, as I seem to have left some of the more major tasks until last! This time next year, I will have:

    • done the Couch to 5k program, and reached my goal weight
    • learned 30 of recipes from around the world
    • taken a flight in a hot air balloon
    • sorted out my money stuff
    • been horseriding
    • learned some sign language
    • finally seen the Great Ocean Road, and booked a trip to the US
    • been on a ghost tour, and the Neighbours tour!
    • created a book of my photography

    And plenty more! I have a great year ahead.

    Best of luck to all those who are doing this challenge, especially those who began around the same time as me. I’d love to check out your list if I haven’t already seen it!

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    • http://cherryblossomadventures.com Lulu

      Wow, it is great to look back and see how much you have achieved so far hey. It will be an exciting year for you and I look forward to seeing how you meet the challenges. Best of luck!!

      I first learnt about the 101 things in 1001 days on either your blog of Justine`s blog and was so happy when I got my list up and running as well, just 3 months after you so it won`t be long now until I only have a year left to complete everything also. I have loved the challenge and definitely see myself writing another list, with new goals, once my first 1001 days are over.

    • http://scottiemonster.bogspot.com Louise

      I agree with many of your comments above and have loved doing this challenge. Your blog was one of the definite motivators for me to start mine. As you can see on mine (http://louiseslist.blogspot.com/) I stole your most excellent grid idea. I have not been doing mine as long as you, but I did a review of mine, about 1/3 of the way through and also found it great and helpful to look back at all the things I have done, mostly because they were on the list. I think I am going to have another one when I have finished, just to make sure I keep doing that sort of ‘stuff’ you never seem to get around to other wise! Thanks for sharing your journey with me and the ‘others’ out there and good luck for the rest or your list!

    • http://www.scarletwords.com Elizabeth

      Lulu: I’m looking forward to writing a new list once this one is done too. I’ve even started brainstorming some medium-term goals in my head, and I’m sure some of them will end up on a new 101 list. I think I’ll take the time between September and January to write a list that really excites me, as my current one was constructed pretty quickly.

      Louise: I check your list out from time to time, and it’s great to see you doing so well! It’s also nice to see my grid around the place – especially when the idea has made its way to blogs that I’ve never heard of before! It’s a really clear and clean way to display your progress, and I think it’s very satisfying to watch the coloured boxes gradually multiply.

      Good luck with your lists, both of you!

    • Cara

      You’re list definitely was an inspiration for my own after I stumbled onto your blog. Your list is awesome, such a good range of interesting and challenging tasks (although, i do best you on one, i went without chocolate for 3 months last year, just to prove I could- NEVER AGAIN!!). Unfortunately my list is not on the web so you can’t see it, but I’ll be following yours right to the end and I hope that you accomplish all if not mostly all of the tasks you have assigned.
      GOODLUCK!!

    • http://www.scarletwords.com Elizabeth

      I’m sorry Cara, but considering the lack of evidence I refuse to believe that it is possible to survive for three months without chocolate. I will not tolerate such outrageously irresponsible comments on my blog!

      (I’m going to let it slide, just this once…)