Instead of the normal New Year’s resolutions I am joining Emily Ayer in the 101 in 1001 challenge. Essentially I will be completing 101 tasks or personal goals in 1001 days. The reason for 1001 days is that it allows for ample planning and preparation for larger goals. Plus, I love crossing of items that I have set out to accomplish. Below are the details of the challenge courtesy of Miss Emily Ayer.
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.
Start Date: January 1, 2011
End Date: September 28, 2013
Bold marks a completed item
Italicized marks a partially completed item
* marks a 30B430 Goal (Complete goal before 30th birthday: May 10, 2011)
LOVE MY BODY
1. Learn a Latin dance
2. Learn ballroom dancing
3. Get 8 hours of sleep every night and wake up at the same time everyday
4. Invest in Invisalign or braces
5. Eliminate sugar/white flour from diet with exception of 1 meal a week
6. Buy produce from Farmer’s Market every week during the summer
7. Cook one meal from scratch a week for 3 months
8. Lose 20 pounds *
9. Wear a bikini on vacation *
10. Floss every day for 30 days
11. Workout 5 times a week
12. Find a nude nail polish (Sally Hansen #130 Sheer Me Now)
LOVE BUSINESS
13. Get real estate license
14. Create a support group of women that meets monthly (started 05/01/11) 
15. Learn Photoshop
16. Organize contacts in Outlook
17. Blog 2x a week (2/52)
18. Grow to have 1000 FB Fans (currently at 195)
- 234 as of 05/01/11
19. Create a holiday entertainment guide for a brand
20. Create vision board for business
21. Be featured in print publication
22. Be featured on local news segment for entertainment ideas
23. Create company culture
24. Become CSEP certified
25. Create board of advisors with experts from each field (technology, marketing, accounting, business)
26. Have personal font created
27. Recreate branding for business
28. Attend 5 event related workshops
29. Attend 5 business growth workshops
LOVE FAMILY
30. Make coffee table book from love letters and photos of grandma/grandpa
31. Take a train trip out West with my mom
32. Give my dad a vacation
33. Take a trip with my sisters
34. Plan a summer weekend getaway for entire family at cabin/lake
LOVE FINANCIAL GROWTH
35. Tithe
36. Pay off credit cards (1/3)
37. Rearrange 401K so that 1/2 stocks 1/2 in bonds
38. Create an IRA account
39. Read one financial planning book a year
LOVE FRIENDS
40. Visit Christa in Arizona
41. Visit Joe in North Carolina
42. Visit Ada in Minneapolis
43. Create signature greeting cards for birthday/congratulations/thank you
44. Host monthly ladies night
45. Go skydiving with Maritza
46. Monogram Pillow Shams
LOVE HOME
47. Purchase and hang curtains in home
48. Paint bathroom
49. Print and frame 6 black and white photos
50. Find decor and refurbish it from Goodwill/Antique/Thrift stores
51. Buy new sheets
52. Make bed daily for 30 days (Completed 01/30/11)
LOVE LIFE
53. Be guest judge for a pageant
54. Purchase better camera
55. Take hot air balloon ride
56. Go horseback riding
57. Fashion photoshoot*
58. Become member of DAR
59. See Swan Lake musical
60. Attend Indianapolis Film Festival
61. See Broadway play on Broadway
62. Buy structured purse (ex. Michael Kors, Victoria Beckham, Ralph Lauren, Hermes)
63. Go to Kentucky Derby*
64. Go to American Cup
LOVE MENTAL GROWTH
65. Read a new book a month
66. Read Emily Post’s book of Etiquette
67. Learn Spanish
68. Learn French
69. Improve grammar
70. Take painting class
71. Take photography class
72. Watch AFI’s 100 Greatest Movies*
73. Collect my favorite children’s book from when I was little
LOVE SPIRITUAL GROWTH
74. Join my church
75. Become involved in a church ministry
76. Memorize 30 meaningful verses*
77. Read the entire Bible
78. Read a new book of faith once a year
79. Have 1 new friend to attend church a year
LOVE SERVING OTHERS
80. Host a fundraiser to donate $5000 to First Book
81. Volunteer with Indiana FCCLA State conference annually
82. Serve at a soup kitchen
83. Participate in Komen Race for the Cure (April 2011) 
Raised $1160 for Race for the Cure
84. Host birthday party for underprivileged children
85. Write thank you note weekly* (2/52)
86. Sponsor Lemonade Indy Stand
Donated to 4 Lemonade stands (05/01/11)
87. Pay the bill/tip/toll for someone behind me
88. Write 10 letters complimenting excellent customer service
89. Volunteer with IMA
90. Volunteer with Indy Zoo Wine Auction
LOVE TRAVEL
91. Visit Cap Jaluca
92. Visit Greek Isles
93. Visit Europe
94. Go to NYC (scheduled for 10/2011)
95. Go to Miami
96. Go to Atlanta
97. Ride in a helicopter over the city
98. Go to Aspen
99. Go to East Coast (Greenwich, Hamptons)
100. Go to Brazil
101. Create this list all over again.
I will be giving regular updates on the status of my list including pictures. Feel free to ask questions or comment. I’m excited!
I am really excited to hear the updates as you complete each goal. Hopefully I can be of some assistance to you in some. I’m so proud of you Ms. Jones. You’re my new little engine that could.
Sugar Maple cabins in Tennessee are fabulous!! I think your family would love going there…we saw a black bear last time we went.
This is awesome!!! I’m so proud of you, M, and excited for where this will take you!! Love you!
I was so inspired by Emily too! Keep us updated : )
Love, Mel! I will take that hot air balloon trip with you!
Hello! I found your blog through peach & pearl. I put a link list of 101 ‘inspirations’ and you’re on there! You can check it out here!
http://isleofview-facesoflove.blogspot.com/2011/01/101-in-1001-starting-day.html
My favorites on your list are these two! And they just happen to be right next to each other:
84. Host birthday party for underprivileged children
85. Write thank you note weekly*
What a lovely thought!
In regards to number 4, see if you can find a orthodontist who carries Red, White, and Blue (assuming you’re a candidate for aligners). It’s like Invisalign, but actually costs the same as braces. I have to say, I’m soooo glad I went that route in high school instead of braces.
I love (and have in common) many of the items on your list and I’m excited to see how it goes! xx
Thanks for the tip Ellie! I will check out your list too!
I adore the way you have set out your goals – it’s really great and something I might steal for the next time around if you don’t mind.
Best of luck with all of the travelling – I have a travel bug myself
Rachal