You cannot become overwhelmed before reading this entry. If you think you might, slowly turn from your computer and walk away.  My intent is to inspire you, not put more upon you. Certainly you can bend the rules - maybe 20 in 200?
Have you heard of making a 101 in 1001 list? Here are the rules:
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.
Sound like something you want to tackle? My friend and pastor's wife Wendy and I embarked upon our lists together and we've had a lot of lively conversation about the items on each other's lists. I'll share mine with you, and then maybe Wendy will share hers, too.
Begun 4 March, 2006
1. Complete Quiet Rest series
2. Do not complain verbally during this pregnancy (this was written when I was pregnant- hopefully it will apply again soon)
3. Close my mouth- I dont always have to be right
4. Watch Raising Godly Children DVDs
Blessing Husband
5. Clean his desk regularly
6. Schedule twice-monthly dates, including surprise lunches
7. Be involved in the hiring process (March 2006- Katrina)
8. Plan romantic nights
9. Trust hell accomplish what hes promised
10. Find a really great lounging chair for him
11. Finish reading Portofino aloud to him
12. Make his favorite meal- shish kebob, pilaf, cucumber salad twice in the summer
13. Take him to Mortons
14. Book spa weekend in Napa
Blessing Our Children
15. UK with H
16. Williamsburg/DC with boys
17. Visit Adams with Ab and C
18. Teach Ab to Sew
19. Teach C to knit
20. Finish creating cooking course
21. Begin cooking course with H, N, J, and Ab
22. Swim with the kids 3x this summer
23. Keep up with Scripture memorization
24. Teach J to do laundry (March 2006)
25. Put one-on-one dates on the calendar (April 2006)
26. Verbally praise more than verbally correct
27. Have a pool party for Abs birthday
28. Soak and massage their feet in the winter
29. Focus on manners
30. Treat them to the LaPalooza at the Ice Cream Company
31. Have a pajama ice cream raid on a summer night
32. Have a poolside movie night
33. Take them for Shamrock Shakes (March 2006)
Being Busy At Home
34. Remodel schoolroom (April 2006)
35. Re-organize books (March 2006)
36. Keep up with summer house list; get help if needed
37. Remodel kitchen (2008)
38. Drip system in veggie boxes (2006)
39. Decks re-done (2006)
40. Plant grass and trees in pasture
41. Can summer bounty (freeze what I cant get to)
42. Keep scrapbooking updated
43. Find bench for pond
44. Find table and chairs for deck
45. Build arbor for kitchen garden entry
46. Refurnish family room
47. Hold a garage sale; donate money to charity
48. Sort, de-clutter, re-organize craft stuff in laundry room
49. Clear dead plants out of sunroom (March 2006)
50. Get a new box for girls clothes and sort
Blessing Our Extended Family
51. Visit Grandpa B as much as possible
52. Anniversary party for Joe and Cookie
53. Encourage Kelly as she begins to homeschool
54. Invite Casey to stay a week or two with us
55. Keep in touch with Rebekah
56. Plan TX trip; visit McDonalds, Pattys, and Hoppers
57. Finish Moms wrap
58. Pray faithfully for extended family
Blessing Our Church Family
59. Encourage another mom weekly at church with my words or a card
60. Meet regularly with the women Andy shepherds
61. Joyfully give Andy in service and time to the church body
62. Surprise three families with ice cream in the summer
63. Take children for three families for an overnighter
Growing as a Learning-Teacher
64. War and Peace
65. Create a music history curriculum
66. Continue with classics
67. Finish books in the bedside basket
Growing in the Arts
68. Take the kids to the SF Opera
69. Take the kids to the Brubeck Festival
70. Take the kids to each local museum once
71. Plan and execute another Christmas or Easter program
72. Record again
73. Plan and perform recital
74. See Sara Groves live
Seeing God's Creation
75. Take the kids to the beach by myself each summer for a do-nothing day at Capitola
76. Walk with the kids every day during third trimester
77. Pack picnics and head to the park to sketch the ducks
78. Ice skate in Curry Village
79. Go to Forestiere Underground Gardens
80. View the next lunar eclipse
81. Pull out the telescope and leave it on the deck all summer
82. Book a weekend at Costanoa or Treebones Resort
Completing My Tasks
83. File the To File stack, summer 2006
84. Slim in Six after the baby is born, and complete all six weeks
85. Power 90 after SI6
86. Complete all school paperwork by August
87. Get kids passports
88. Finish book
89. Publish book
90. Make sure all reviews are in under the three-month mark
91. Complete funeral plans
92. Finish family tree
93. Frame and hang family tree
Managing Our Finances
94. Turn Upromise savings into 529 account
95. Save 4k for UK trip
96. Record spending for two months and come under budget
97. Give $50 each month to some unsuspecting soul (ask Gods guidance)
Miscellaney
98. Go one weekend a month without checking email
99. Take the kids to a UOP basketball game
100. Travel somewhere by train
101. Take care of my nails
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Passports - Apr. 12, 2006
I can help you with Passports. =) I'm a Passport agent. Send me an email and I'll get you some good info. I have some great ideas on how to make this one easy to cross off your list.
--Rebecca Redin