Friday, June 7, 2013

Challenge Accepted

I took a bit of time off last week as a way to celebrate the beginning of my 30th year! Those of you who know me well, know that I prefer to celebrate with experiences rather than things/gifts. I also enjoy setting goals for myself so that I have something to focus on and strive for. Both of these traits are likely partially connected to my years as a National Team volleyball player (traveling as an athlete really gave me the taste for it).

I'm not sure how I happened upon the concept below, but it intrigued me. I found different blogs where people were posting lists of 101 things to do in 1001 days; known as Day Zero. It is not a new concept, but was new to me. I have decided to challenge myself and share my mini goals with you. If you're tempted to start your own list, feel free to ask me about mine, but keep in mind, what may look easy, actually takes a while. I found it difficult to think of 101 things that I can strive for over the next 2.75 years. Read on for more...

The 101 Things in 1001 Days Challenge
The Challenge:
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 your part).

Why 1001 Days? 
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. 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, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

My timeline: June 7, 2013 to Friday, March 4, 2016
(completed, in progress, to do)

1 - get an acupuncture treatment (Aug. 22/13)
2 - bake a pie from scratch (Oct. 12/13; blueberry for Thanksgiving supper)
3 - make jam from scratch (May 15/14: raspberry chia jam)
4 - go berry picking (July 28/14: berry barn)
5 - read 5 books currently on my bookshelf (5/5) (Brian Tracy - Focal Point, Dan Baker - What Happy People Know, Enchantment - Guy Kawasaki, How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie, The Leader Who Had No Title - Robin Sharma)
6 - go on a girl's weekend trip
7 - play a round of golf with my husband
8 - vacation in a new American city (San Francisco Oct. 1-5, 2013)
9 - run a 1/2 marathon (13 miles completed Dec 13/15)
10 - put aside $10 for each task accomplished (82/110)
11 - go on a wine tasting tour (Napa and Sonoma, CA, December 26/27, 2013)
12 - create a south east asia scrapbook (August long weekend 2013)
13 - sew a blanket (completed March 2014)
14 - order dessert first (Sept. 20, 2014)
15 - meditate every day for one month 
16 - purchase a bottle of perfume for myself
17 - bake a loaf of bread from scratch (have done twice now, but still need to work on my skills!)
18 - watch 2 classic movies (2/2: North by Northwest June 16/13, How to Marry a Millionaire Oct. 18/13)
19 - go to a play or musical ballet (Nutcracker - Nov. 17/13)
20 - plant a tree (Feb. 11/14 - 25 trees with trees for the future)
21 - go to Batoche (July 20/14 - back to Batoche days)
22 - walk at Wanuskewin (Sept. 13/15)
23 - create an Albert scrapbook (Aug. 31/13)
24 - add 20 quotes to my Pinterest board (20/20, I'll keep adding...)
25 - hang green art in my living room (*moved to new home) (Oct. 10/15)
26 - hang 2 ikea shelves in our home (*gave away with my minimalist efforts - hang blinds) (completed Feb. 29/16)
27 - cook steak for my husband (June 27/14)
28 - volunteer at a soup kitchen with Fast and Female (became an expert ambassador in Sept '15)
29 - write 30 operation beautiful notes (written and distributed by July 31/14)
30 - purchase 3 CDs on iTunes (The Lumineers, One Republic, Of Monsters and Men)
31 - create our will
32 - create our health directives
33 - try snowboarding
34 - go skating
35 - go cross country skiing
36 - take Dietitian's of Canada herbal course (completed Feb. 7/14)
37 - create a vision board
38 - create art for front room
39 - take a card making class make cards with my mother-in-law (Nov. 20/13)
40 - run a 10km (Bridge City Boogie, June 9/13; 55:08)
41 - sponsor another kiva individual (June 10/13)
42 - attend an outdoor concert (June 23/13 - Dehli to Dublin and Ziggy Marley at SK Jazz Fest)
43 - go on a picnic (Aug. 18/13: at forestry farm with friends = tabbouleh (made with quinoa), watermelon, and chicken)
44 - play hopscotch (with nephew in basement, August '15)
45 - host a board game night (June 22/13 - Settlers of Catan)
46 - have a garage sale donate items (Sept. 11/13)
47 - build a sand castle
48 - write a poem (haiku)
49 - try 5 foods I've never had before (5/5 spaetzle, rabbit, shahi paneer, alligator, schnitzel)
50 - make a list of 50 places to visit in my lifetime
51 - create 12 dates to have with my husband
52 - donate blood (Jan. 31/14)
53 - buy a bouquet of flowers every week for a month (4/4: Oct. 25/13, Nov. 1/13, Nov. 8/13, Nov. 16/13)
54 - leave a 100% tip (Oct. 24/15)
55 - do a 30 day yoga challenge (Jan. 2016 - The DoYouYoga 30 Day Challenge with Erin Motz)
56 - see a movie with subtitles at the theatre (LUNAFest March 5, 2014 - 2 short films had subtitles)
57 - inspire someone to write their own 101 (June 7/13: Allison M., June 7/13: Alyssa G.)
58 - purchase coffee for a stranger (Aug. 26/14)
59 - visit relatives in Ontario (summer 2014: June 6-13)
60 - start a new tradition (Christmas gift for our daughter - something she wants, something she needs, something to wear, & something to read)
61 - write a letter to myself to open on my 40th birthday
62 - go to a corn maze (Oct. 12/13; strawberry ranch with Lena)
63 - update my goodreads account (*decided to delete my account - minimizing!) updated my website instead
64 - update my 'places I've been' Pinterest board (ongoing...)
65 - join Instagram
66 - use my google+ account (log-in at least once per month) (on-going - sharing blog posts)
67 - try 10 family recipes (10/10) (Yigandes me Spanaki from Lena, beet quinoa salad from Kim, Pea Soup with Rosemary and Orange from Dan and Lena, Banana Muffins from Coralie, Apple Pecan Olive Oil Cake from Lisa, 5 Minute Mug Cake from Cathy, Banana Bread from Liz Langdon, Saskatoon Berry Crumble from Fran Wheler, Wild Rice Broccoli Casserole from Jean Blaise, Weekend Pancakes from Colleen Davidson)
68 - redesign my blog (Sept. 20/15)
69 - get in touch with my best friend from high school (hurray for email!)
70 - blog everyday for a month (October 2015)
71 - write a book (*still a life goal of mine) create a photo book for my daughter's first year
72 - bake cookies without a recipe (May 15/14: peanut butter, applesauce, oat, coconut, raisin cookies)
73 - go to 10 new restaurants ('new' to me) (10/10) (Bon Temps Cafe, Browns Socialhouse, Mystic Java, Eastside Marios, Spicy Bite, Lisa G's, Generations, King of Thai Noodles II, Cajun House, Boudin)
74 - make risotto (Aug. 15/13 - it was delicious mushroom risotto!)
75 - get a facial at a spa twice per year (Jan. 31/15 & Oct. 29/15)
76 - paint a piece of pottery for the kitchen (Jan. 9/14)
77 - visit a new country...(summer '16)
78 - take pictures of all my meals for a week (summer '15)
79 - get a mentor
80 - learn where all 50 states are on a map of the USA
81 - don't watch TV or Netflix for a month
82 - don't eat out for 2 months
83 - start and finish a crossword puzzle (Aug. 23 metro - mostly me, a bit of assistance from Kevin)
84 - complete the 365 project (a picture a day for a year)
85 - see 3 movies in 1 day (Feb. 17/14: The Queen of Versailles, Rumble in the Bronx, Carnage)
86 - don't complain for 1 week ( hope I did, but I wanted to be aware & track at least one...)
87 - post inspirations in my bathroom and bedroom (2/2)
88 - visit a museum (de Young, San Francisco, Dec. 3/13)
89 - take my brother to the farmer's market (Jan. 30/16 for Wintershines)
90 - complete 10 learning on demand webinars (10/10)
91 - read 5 books recommended by friends (5/5: The Book Thief, A Visit From the Goon Squad, Three Cups of Tea, The Fault in Our Stars, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared )
92 - see the sunrise and sunset in one day (Oct. 15/15)
93 - go on a date with my mom (tea and Nutcracker: Nov. 17/13)
94 - complete a project from Pinterest (2! ombre coin art and twisted scarves)
95 - go fishing with my dad (September long weekend 2013)
96 - kiss in the rain (again, I probably did, but not mindfully for this list!)
97 - take a knife skills class (Pineview Farmers Pork Butchery class, April 12, 2014 - blog to come...)
98 - spend a whole day reading for fun (June 24/14)
99 - see a live pro sports game or event (Dec. 17/13 - Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans)
100 - make a batch of wine (started Nov. 16/15, bottled Dec. 24/15)
101 - get a second tattoo (have it picked out)

I'll keep you posted on my progress, so come back soon (and often).
Have a great weekend!

Steph Langdon, RD
something nutrishus counselling & coaching