Elsja Down Under

101 Highlights January 4, 2011

Total completed goals: 70

Proudest achievement

To be honest, there isn’t just one goal that I’m most proud of. #90. Become a resident in Australia is a pretty big one but it doesn’t actually make me feel the proudest because although it was a pain in the ass, it wasn’t a challenge for myself. While #28. Donate blood seems easy enough, this was actually way tougher for me. After a traumatic experience donating blood years ago, this is a goal I really did not think I’d ever  get around to doing. The fact that I got off my butt and made the appointment makes me feel pretty good.

Most useful goal accomplished

#51. Create a master packing list to use on future trips. I’ve used this list SO many times over the last 1001 days, it is very helpful. Also I have to include #6. Read 10 books. Because of this goal, I got back into reading- something I had not done in a long time. Now I always have a book by my bed.

Biggest disappointment

There are a few but my biggest disappointment is pretty silly because it should have been so easy- #1. Drink at least 1 litre of water per day for a month. I just couldn’t keep up with it on the weekends.

A missed goal I’ll definitely add to my next list (yes, there will be another)

#105. Plan 3 special dates for Andrew and I. This should have been easy as well but it was only added a few months ago and with all the wedding chaos and then the holidays, it just didn’t happen.

A goal I don’t care about anymore

#52. Hike to Machu Pichu. I decided this actually sounds miserable since I absolutely hate climbing massive hills.

Most difficult goal I achieved

#92. Drive by myself in the city and/or to and from the airport. This may seem minor to most of you but I’m paranoid to drive here… STILL. I only just drove myself to the airport for the first time last week and I was nervous the entire way. My fear does not stem from being on the other  side of the road- I’m definitely used to that by now. The reason I panic is because I’m ALWAYS afraid I’ll get lost. Even with GPS I still manage to get turned around and a trip that should take 20 minutes usually takes me 40.

Most difficult goal I didn’t achieve

#40. Go without alcohol for 1 month. There is ALWAYS some party or big event every month that I want to enjoy. This one should have been  easier but I guess I just don’t want to give up wine for an entire month. I suppose I’ll have to wait until I’m pregnant one day in the far far future- then I’ll finally be forced to ditch the drinks.

What I’ll leave off of my next list

#95. Blog about each of my tasks as I complete them. Not every goal is worthy of a blog and being forced to write about each one was just a burden. I only want to write about the cool ones.

Goal that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside

#29. Find 3 charities that mean something to me and donate to them once per year. This one was easy to achieve and even giving a little each year makes me feel good. This is something I can easily keep up in years to come.

Missed goal that I was THISCLOSE to achieving

#38. Learn to scuba dive. I actually paid for the course, I just haven’t done it yet but I plan to soon.

Biggest thing I learned about making goals

Goals that require a weekly or monthly effort are definitely the hardest to achieve. One off goals or yearly goals are much easier.

What’s next?

I’ll start coming up with another 101 goals to achieve. I’ll aim to get it started in April. Anyone have any suggestions for me?

My 101 Wrap Up January 3, 2011

Hello everyone and welcome to 2011. Isn’t it crazy how we move forward one measly day from December 31st to January 1st and yet everything seems so new and exciting? 2011 will be the start of a new year full of highs and lows (hopefully mostly highs) as well as accomplished goals, fun times and hopefully an exciting vacation or two. 2011 also means that my 101 in 1001 list has finally come to a close. I can’t believe 1001 days have passed since I started my list. As I look at my goals that I achieved, I’m very proud. I honestly think there are many things that I accomplished that never would have been completed if it weren’t for this list. I’m also sad that there were so many things on my list that I wasn’t able to achieve. Some would have been so manageable but I guess time just passed me by and I missed out on many of the things that I would have liked to have done.

If you want to check out my entire list- click to view my 101 in 1001 goals. The blue items are things I was SO close to finishing but still missed out on before the deadline.

In order to complete # 95- blog about each of my tasks as I complete them – I need to mention that over the last few weeks, I was able to complete all of the following goals:

7. Go on 5 long walks in the Sydney area. I counted anything over 1.5 hours as a “long walk.”

50. For each task I complete, put $5 into a savings account and do something fun. I haven’t decided what to do with the money yet but I have definitely added $5 each time I’ve completed a goal.

97. Write wills & manage life insurance with Andrew.

30. Give $2 to charity for every goal I don’t accomplish. Ok, I haven’t actually done this yet but I will- I just need to tally everything up and make sure I’ve crossed everything off before I do.

So that wraps it up! My 1001 days are over and all the goals that I am going to achieve in that time have now been completed. Now onto list # 2 so I can start the next 1001 days full of achievements. Stay tuned for my 101 wrap up where I will discuss the highlights of 1001 days of goals.