I have seriously been so excited to start my new 101 in 1001 list. I’ve been doing them for SIX years, and while I’ve never finished all 101 things (I actually finished less during round 2 than I did during round 1), I have fallen in love with having a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. This 101 things to do in 1001 days thing is actually called the Day Zero Project, and here’s the nitty gritty as written on their site, Day Zero Project.com:
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.
It’s a great way to have some sort of filter through which to live your life, plan your days and spare time, and learn what is really important to you. And it’s 100% yours.
Ever since I posted my newest 101 in 1001 list, I’ve had a LOT of people reach out to me and tell me they want to start a 101 in 1001 list, and I wanted to help walk you through that!
You’ll first need a list. Here’s what I’ve learned about making a list:
101 is a crap ton of things to do. Coming up with the list of 101 things to do might actually be harder than doing the things, so be forewarned. Write down any and all ideas that come to you, and let yourself get caught up in a brain storm for these ideas.
Brainstorm in categories. What were my financial, health, relational, and personal goals? I spent a lot of time looking at other people’s 101 in 1001 lists for ideas that aligned with those goals I had. Keep in mind that this isn’t a bucket list. This isn’t a list of everything you’ve ever wanted to do in your life, and it’s not a list of things you’ve never done. It’s simply a list of things you’d like to do within 3 years. They don’t even have to be monumental or have any real reason, they just have to be something you decide on doing.
Do a little research on the cost of things. On my last list I wrote that I wanted to stay at Treehouse Point and ride in a hot air balloon. Both were very expensive things I ended up not being able to afford, and I would have definitely written something else in their place had I known.
It’s okay to keep some goals secret. I have secret social media goals I want to accomplish and I don’t publish those publicly. I track and monitor my progress in my bullet journal, but I don’t post updates about it. You could do this for money, weight or other personal goals.
This isn’t a bucket list. We’re not brainstorming all the things you’d like to do before you die, this is just a list of 101 things you’d like to accomplish in the next 2.75 years. It’s more than a to do less and less than a bucket list. Is there a closet you’ve been avoiding purging? Crafts you’ve been meaning to make? Places you’ve wanted to go, shows you’ve wanted to watch, things you’ve wanted to do… but never made it a priority? Put them on this list.
It doesn’t have to be glamorous. Renewing my passport, bowl over 100, finish listening to every song in my iTunes… none of those are glamorous, but they’re things I probably wouldn’t prioritize doing if it wasn’t for a public list I got to cross them off of.
Your 101 in 1001 is personal. You can look at a zillion other 101 in 1001 lists and still come up short of 101 things because stuff other people want to do just doesn’t interest you. Maybe you don’t want to run a marathon, see sights overseas, pay off your house, try eating a squid, give up coffee, etc. That’s fine. Make your list about you and your life.
Take things you like to do and be intentional about doing it more often. I’ve always had a goal to try different coffee shops, and I always finish this. I love finding new coffee shops, but if left to my own devices I’ll just earn free gift cards to Starbucks and go there. Having a list of different coffee shops I’ve gone to encourages me to do something I love to do anyway. My last list said to try 35 shops and this time I’m trying 50, because once I hit my goal I fell back into the Starbucks habit (and true story, I’m sitting at Starbucks right now).
After you have your list, I recommend making it public. Not only is it good accountability, it also gives you the opportunity to keep track and share your success! Plus you might encourage someone else to start one, too! It’s really fun to be able to look at the things other people are wanting to accomplish and seeing if you could help them at all.
A 101 List is a brilliant way to push yourself a little out of your day-to-day life and choose to live intentionally. Thanks to my last 101 list (which I didn’t even finish!) I was able to do things I wouldn’t have made time to do otherwise – like walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, celebrating random holidays, and touching an elephant!
Have I convinced you yet?! Let me know if you have or are interested in starting a 101 in 1001 list. Drop me a line below and/or link me to yours! Also shoot me any questions you might have and I’d love to help!
