“For last year's words belong to last year's language And next year's words await another voice.” ― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets
As 2013 came to an altogether-too-rapid end, I blinked...and it became 2014. Customary or not, I am not in the habit of setting resolutions for myself, although I all too well recognize the need to redouble my efforts at health and fitness goals (among many other goals) that have escaped me.
I do, however, really like the idea of long-range planning, and so it was with a lot of optimism that three years ago I met the 101 in 1001 list.
This
project is known as the Day Zero Project. Here is a blurb copied from their website:
The Challenge:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days [2 years and
eight-ish months].
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (i.e., no ambiguity in the wording) with a result
that is either measurable or clearly defined.
Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (i.e., represent some amount
of work on your part).
Source: Green, Michael. Day Zero Project. 1 Aug. 2012. Web. 2 January 2014. Day Zero Project
I admired
my friend/colleague Colette’s list three years ago; this year, I revisit my
mediocre first attempt and rise to the challenge renewed and refocused. I started with the same baseline of Colette’s initial list from three years ago and adjusted/revised/edited according to my life and goals. Colette had a great list on which to
build.
In reviewing my initial list, I was disheartened to realize I let so many good, solid goals slip away from me; or rather, I let the three years slip away from me without accomplishing the things I wanted to do. This year, I am reviewing that list and thinking, "So, are these things I really, truly want to accomplish? Or, are they just things that sound nice, in-a-perfect-world type things to think about?" I want my list to be meaningful to me. I want my list to be a challenge, but a reachable one. I want my list to help me develop in the directions I truly want to grow in.
But, despite my optimism, some part of me is also a realist. I don't for even one minute think that a simple list is going to really help me grow. I know that growth and development is going to have to come from me, from the seed of desire, the moment of realizing I have not become what I know I can become. I feel that seed trying to sprout; in truth, I have always felt that seed trying to sprout, and I want to pull the weeds that are preventing it from sprouting like I know it can and will.
So, who needs New Year's Resolutions? Well, apparently I do. I'm just going to approach it from a "lifestyle-change" point of view.
I'm glad to know the 101 list inspired you, but as you've probably seen from my own blogs, mine too has gone by the wayside. I like the perspective and energy you're approaching 2014 with! I'm trying to do the same. Little goals, each week building upon themselves. I succeeded this week (work out in the morning 4 times), and my goal for next week is to add one day. Once that becomes a habit, I'll pick additional goals. :) I don't like thinking of them as "resolutions" per se -- just a new take on the way I live my life. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Colette! Credit where credit is due, right? I agree that building bigger goals on smaller goals is the way to go. It's about building a life, not about spontaneity.
DeleteYay! You blog and talked about your 101 in 1001. I need to update all my blogs and this one will be top priority to talk about my 101. Thanks for sharing on FB. ~Heidi
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Heidi. :)
DeleteSomething to think about......Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Thanks for reading. :)
DeleteGood luck on the new blog.
ReplyDeleteA word of caution - most blogs die in the first 3 months. Find a frequency and/or a time of day you can commit to and keep at it for three months. By then you will have either developed a habit or decided that blogging is not for you.
Thank you, Katherine. I appreciate the tip from a veteran, successful blogger. In researching blogs over the past few days, I have noticed that the vast majority of them were abandoned a few years ago. It's too bad, really. Some were quite interesting.
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