I finally figured out my last two. So, here's the end of my list. There's still a few days left for anyone interested in joining!
76. Fix the bathroom drain
77. Substitute teach more
78. Read a book on grammar/writing (increase my content knowledge)
79. Learn a new word each week
80. Keep a lesson/assignment journal for ideas
81, Do 1 homework assignment in advance 2/9
82. Decrease my carbon emissions in some way
83. Read a high school level book and develop a lesson plan for it
84. Take each family member out to lunch
85. Tell the truth when asked “what’s wrong” at least once
86. Get PowerPoint for my computer
87. Get REAP application finished
88. Be nice to someone rude
89. Compliment people freely
90. Ask a question in class
91l Watch the stars appear
92. Take a day to do nothing (and not feel guilty)
93. Buy something for someone for no reason
94. Send someone flowers
95. Be able to identify five types of trees
96. Research a place before I visit
97. Train for the 5k
98. Write Christmas letters instead of Christmas cards
99. Write a short story—and not turn it into a novel and/or series
100. Give 100% in student teaching—regardless of the situation.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Nicole's List 51-75
I am still grasping at straws for my last two. I think I am going to take the next few Christmas days to ponder over my last two goals for the next year. Maybe seeing my family will help put some more ideas into my perspective. So, for now, here's #51-75. Happy Holidays! Good luck with any other lists you may be creating. And we'll meet back here again a little closer to the new year!
51. Take old clothes to Goodwill (not just have them sit in my trunk)
52. Make pasta from scratch
53. Go to that little bookstore on Main Street again and buy something.
54. Go camping more than once this year.
55. Finish my teaching portfolio before I finish student teaching.
56. Watch a sunrise
57. Write a poem
58. Support a local farm
59. Backup my computer
60. Backup blog posts
61. Buy a birdfeeder (& put it up, obviously)
62. Read a book about a historical time period I don’t know much about.
63. Support my library
64. Rewrite my philosophy of education & classroom management plan
65. Go to a literary event (poetry reading, book club, something).
66. Increase my endurance
67. Visit my Grandmother’s grave
68. Go to a state I’ve never been before
69. Watch “To Have and Have Not”
70. Try a new recipe each month
71. Send thank you cards for any gifts or nice gestures
72. Play in the rain
73. Go to a karaoke bar
74. Expand my first day of school plan
75. Actually Study for the Social Studies Praxis Exam
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Fear of Failure Keeps Me at #98
One of the things that I’ve learned already, just from making this list, is it’s funny how easily I get excited about projects that involve writing… and how no one really shares my enthusiasm. It’s not that I don’t have people around me that are totally awesome and supportive—it’s that I don’t have any people around me that are as wrapped up in the world of writing as I am.
Also, I just love a good project. If it involves writing, even better, but any kind of creative fun (usually found on the internet) is a bit like crack to me. I.just.can’t.stop. But, when you’re at a project alone—it’s easier to quit, easier to forget about, easier to get bored with the premise. So, I’m going to have to really work hard on keeping this project a part of my life in 2007.
I’ve been stuck on my 100 things list. Stuck at 98. Only two more and I would finish, but I’m stalling for time. Or, perhaps more accurately, I’m just plain old stalling. I have a habit of not finishing things. Of discarding things that don’t turn out the way I want. I have an exaggerated fear of failure—a fear so exaggerated that it’s kept me from doing things I’ve wanted to do. This isn’t okay. So, a lot of things on my list address fear—and doing something in spite of that fear.
I guess in the next two weeks I am on the search for two meaningful things to round up my list. Two things that really mean something. Or, maybe I’m just stalling—afraid of the 100 possible ways to fail in 2007. Either way, I’m trying to move forward. I will have a list of 100 before 2007. It’s important to me. I’ve got to make it a priority instead of excusing lurking behind it.
If you’ve started a list, or wanted to start one but haven’t been able to bring yourself to do it… why are you holding back? What are your hang-ups? And by looking at those, do you see something in yourself that you can address in your list?
Also, I just love a good project. If it involves writing, even better, but any kind of creative fun (usually found on the internet) is a bit like crack to me. I.just.can’t.stop. But, when you’re at a project alone—it’s easier to quit, easier to forget about, easier to get bored with the premise. So, I’m going to have to really work hard on keeping this project a part of my life in 2007.
I’ve been stuck on my 100 things list. Stuck at 98. Only two more and I would finish, but I’m stalling for time. Or, perhaps more accurately, I’m just plain old stalling. I have a habit of not finishing things. Of discarding things that don’t turn out the way I want. I have an exaggerated fear of failure—a fear so exaggerated that it’s kept me from doing things I’ve wanted to do. This isn’t okay. So, a lot of things on my list address fear—and doing something in spite of that fear.
I guess in the next two weeks I am on the search for two meaningful things to round up my list. Two things that really mean something. Or, maybe I’m just stalling—afraid of the 100 possible ways to fail in 2007. Either way, I’m trying to move forward. I will have a list of 100 before 2007. It’s important to me. I’ve got to make it a priority instead of excusing lurking behind it.
If you’ve started a list, or wanted to start one but haven’t been able to bring yourself to do it… why are you holding back? What are your hang-ups? And by looking at those, do you see something in yourself that you can address in your list?
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Nicole's List 26-50
The next portion of my list. As you continue it gets harder, but I'm almost to 100. One thing that helped continue my list was to write a smaller list about what broad subjects I was interested in or what things I wanted to change. Lists are fun!
26. Go to a Cardinals game
27. Fix the towel racks in the apartment
28. Keep track of everything I spend for at least one month.
29. For each kid I tutor, go the extra mile to prep—even if I’m not getting paid for it.
30. Make a cherry pie for my mom 1/28/07
31. Create my own recipe 1/9/07
32. Buy a new chain for my necklace from Rich.
33. Write final draft of a non-fiction essay on an important issue.
34. Go to the eye doctor
35. Finish Eleanor Roosevelt’s autobiography
36. Start a tradition
37. Try a new food
38. Don’t be afraid to stand out—at least once.
39. Give someone an anonymous gift (and never tell it was me!)
40. Run a 5K
41. Go to a book signing
42. Send an old teacher a thank you
43. Go to a major league ball park I have never been to
44. Go to a National Park I have never been to
45. Take the Social Studies Praxis
46. Put all my CDs into Itunes
47. Cook a gourmet meal
48. Go to church
49. Go to a play
50. Enter a writing contest
26. Go to a Cardinals game
27. Fix the towel racks in the apartment
28. Keep track of everything I spend for at least one month.
29. For each kid I tutor, go the extra mile to prep—even if I’m not getting paid for it.
30. Make a cherry pie for my mom 1/28/07
31. Create my own recipe 1/9/07
32. Buy a new chain for my necklace from Rich.
33. Write final draft of a non-fiction essay on an important issue.
34. Go to the eye doctor
35. Finish Eleanor Roosevelt’s autobiography
36. Start a tradition
37. Try a new food
38. Don’t be afraid to stand out—at least once.
39. Give someone an anonymous gift (and never tell it was me!)
40. Run a 5K
41. Go to a book signing
42. Send an old teacher a thank you
43. Go to a major league ball park I have never been to
44. Go to a National Park I have never been to
45. Take the Social Studies Praxis
46. Put all my CDs into Itunes
47. Cook a gourmet meal
48. Go to church
49. Go to a play
50. Enter a writing contest
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
New Year's Resolutions On Crack
I was talking to a good friend of mine about this project. She expressed doubt she could come up with 100 things—and if she could they’d be small things.
YES!
For me, that’s the point. I suppose for anyone who writes a list, the point of the list has to be of their own making. So, for me the point is getting small things done. Not even small exciting things, just things I either normally wouldn’t do or things I always put off.
Personally, I have a hard time getting done everything I want to get done. And there are things I really should do that I put off indefinitely. I am a seasoned procrastinator. The point of this list for me is twofold: list everything I want to accomplish (I mean, who doesn’t love a list?) and then set about accomplishing small, seemingly unimportant things. By having a list of specific goals, I am more likely to achieve or participate in these things.
For me, the point of the list is not to live this amazingly wild and crazy carpe diem life, it’s about becoming more efficient, more productive and getting in the habit of doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done. I need to do this. It’s one of those adult skills that comes in really handy. And, the only way to change the way you do something in your life, is to slowly work towards changing your life. Diets don’t work and New Year’s Resolutions don’t work not just because they’re an abstract idea that isn’t really achievable on a more practical plane, but also because they aren’t permanent. In order to live a healthier existence and lose weight, you have to do it for the rest of your life not for a couple months. Otherwise, the weight comes back and the sense of failure sets in.
I think of my list like steps towards my goal of being more productive and not being afraid to do things I want to do. Each item on that list is set forth to improve my life in some way—whether its as important as helping a nonprofit organization or as small as backing up my computer files—each thing is a step in a better direction.
So, do you have some things you’d like to improve in your life? A few New Year’s Resolutions—break it down into 100 steps to complete in 365 days. As this friend said, “it’s like your New Year’s Resolutions on crack.” And, perhaps it is. But, it’s some really good crack.
YES!
For me, that’s the point. I suppose for anyone who writes a list, the point of the list has to be of their own making. So, for me the point is getting small things done. Not even small exciting things, just things I either normally wouldn’t do or things I always put off.
Personally, I have a hard time getting done everything I want to get done. And there are things I really should do that I put off indefinitely. I am a seasoned procrastinator. The point of this list for me is twofold: list everything I want to accomplish (I mean, who doesn’t love a list?) and then set about accomplishing small, seemingly unimportant things. By having a list of specific goals, I am more likely to achieve or participate in these things.
For me, the point of the list is not to live this amazingly wild and crazy carpe diem life, it’s about becoming more efficient, more productive and getting in the habit of doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done. I need to do this. It’s one of those adult skills that comes in really handy. And, the only way to change the way you do something in your life, is to slowly work towards changing your life. Diets don’t work and New Year’s Resolutions don’t work not just because they’re an abstract idea that isn’t really achievable on a more practical plane, but also because they aren’t permanent. In order to live a healthier existence and lose weight, you have to do it for the rest of your life not for a couple months. Otherwise, the weight comes back and the sense of failure sets in.
I think of my list like steps towards my goal of being more productive and not being afraid to do things I want to do. Each item on that list is set forth to improve my life in some way—whether its as important as helping a nonprofit organization or as small as backing up my computer files—each thing is a step in a better direction.
So, do you have some things you’d like to improve in your life? A few New Year’s Resolutions—break it down into 100 steps to complete in 365 days. As this friend said, “it’s like your New Year’s Resolutions on crack.” And, perhaps it is. But, it’s some really good crack.
Monday, December 11, 2006
My First 25
To help anyone stuck get started, here are my first 25!
Nicole's 100 Things To Do, To Be in 2007
Nicole's 100 Things To Do, To Be in 2007
- Start an organic garden
- Eat something I grow
- Go to a farmer’s market
- Finish The Goal
- Finish Finding Home
- Write a letter to someone instead of an email --1/17
- Write a series of lesson plans for a unit on creative nonfiction
- Pick wildflowers
- Read “This Organic Life”--1/12
- Read one book from my To Be Read shelf
- Change to diet pop
- Join or participate in a nonprofit organization
- Submit The Road That Leads Home for publication
- Minimize (Go through all my boxed up stuff and get rid of unneeded items)
- Get and stay up to date with photo album
- Make 1 new friend
- Reach out to an old friend
- Throw a party
- Drink with Christina
- Ask a question when I’d usually be too embarrassed
- Go to a movie by myself
- Sled, ice skate, swim or play hide-and-go-seek –do something from my childhood
- Get a real haircut
- Keep a secret
- Hike at least once a month—a different trail each month.
Introduction
In Henry David Thoreau's Walden, Thoreau wrote "All men want, not something to do with, but something to do, or rather something to be." I can't help but agree with Henry on this one. I am ready to do something.
I have managed to live my life using up very little output unless I was good and motivated. In this life, motivation is not something I have a lot of. Not that I haven't worked hard, I have, but the effort to produce something to the best of my ability was not always there. I do not feel I have given my all to some greatness, but I am feeling more and more like I need to and I should at this point in my life. If you can't work towards something at 24, when can you?
The beginning of this idea and this blog doesn't start somewhere near as intellectual as the words of Thoreau, it instead starts on the pages of Facebook. A note from a friend about making a list of 100 things you wanted to do--and then working towards this list. I doubt this is a new idea, but reading about it at this point in my life made the idea resonate. What do I want to do? And when I figure that out, it's about time I started working towards it.
I began composing a list of 100 things I wanted to do, but most of the things I came up with were either a) beyond my immediate control and b) somewhere in a very distant future. As a procrastination expert, these did not work for me. I need more manageable goals and thus this blog was born.
The first step is to make a list of 100 things I want to do in 2007. They can be as simple as going to the movies alone or as complex as becoming financially stable. The list will be a wide array of goals, activities, and ideas--but the trick will be to work towards accomplishing all of them by December 31st, 2007. I suppose you could call them New Year's Resoultions, but on a less abstract plane. The things I list will be doable, specific things. If I had a goal of losing weight--that should be broken down into specific things I want to accomplish to reach the ideal weight, not simply "lose weight." Goals, to be accomplished, need to be both plausible and achievable in small, identifiable steps. Each number will be a small, identifiable step.
I would like to encourage as many people as possible to join me on this year-long journey. Start a blog, or chart your progress on an already existent blog, get your lists ready for January 1, and then tell the world about your journey towards doing something and in turn, being something.
If you are interested in participating in "100 Ways to Be, 2007", send me an email at bohdilicious31@yahoo.com, or leave a comment. If you're ready to join, leave your blog link and I will create a list of participants and display them on the sidebar. If you have questions or ideas, send them my way as well. I'd love to create a small community of people trying to make a difference for themselves in 2007.
(Note: If you have never blogged before, but would like to, blogger.com has a free blog hosting service and it is really easy--very little internet know-how required!)
I have managed to live my life using up very little output unless I was good and motivated. In this life, motivation is not something I have a lot of. Not that I haven't worked hard, I have, but the effort to produce something to the best of my ability was not always there. I do not feel I have given my all to some greatness, but I am feeling more and more like I need to and I should at this point in my life. If you can't work towards something at 24, when can you?
The beginning of this idea and this blog doesn't start somewhere near as intellectual as the words of Thoreau, it instead starts on the pages of Facebook. A note from a friend about making a list of 100 things you wanted to do--and then working towards this list. I doubt this is a new idea, but reading about it at this point in my life made the idea resonate. What do I want to do? And when I figure that out, it's about time I started working towards it.
I began composing a list of 100 things I wanted to do, but most of the things I came up with were either a) beyond my immediate control and b) somewhere in a very distant future. As a procrastination expert, these did not work for me. I need more manageable goals and thus this blog was born.
The first step is to make a list of 100 things I want to do in 2007. They can be as simple as going to the movies alone or as complex as becoming financially stable. The list will be a wide array of goals, activities, and ideas--but the trick will be to work towards accomplishing all of them by December 31st, 2007. I suppose you could call them New Year's Resoultions, but on a less abstract plane. The things I list will be doable, specific things. If I had a goal of losing weight--that should be broken down into specific things I want to accomplish to reach the ideal weight, not simply "lose weight." Goals, to be accomplished, need to be both plausible and achievable in small, identifiable steps. Each number will be a small, identifiable step.
I would like to encourage as many people as possible to join me on this year-long journey. Start a blog, or chart your progress on an already existent blog, get your lists ready for January 1, and then tell the world about your journey towards doing something and in turn, being something.
If you are interested in participating in "100 Ways to Be, 2007", send me an email at bohdilicious31@yahoo.com, or leave a comment. If you're ready to join, leave your blog link and I will create a list of participants and display them on the sidebar. If you have questions or ideas, send them my way as well. I'd love to create a small community of people trying to make a difference for themselves in 2007.
(Note: If you have never blogged before, but would like to, blogger.com has a free blog hosting service and it is really easy--very little internet know-how required!)
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