tcook11-blog

[tcook11-blog]

[tcook11-blog]

Goals & Grit: 101 Goals in 1001 Days

“Our potential is one thing.  What we do with it is quite another.” - Angela Duckworth

I have always been a person that feels the most fulfilled  when I put a lot on my plate.  The last few years of life have thrown a lot at me both mentally and physically, yet I have always maintained one focus: to find the silver lining.  

I do not believe that everything happens for a reason, as I have realized there are some reasons I will never be able to justify, but I instead believe that I will end up where I am supposed to be. 

On that journey of figuring out where I am supposed to be, I have decided to set tangible goals for myself.  This blog is going to follow me through the journey of achieving 101 goals in 1001 days.  

My friend mentioned this 101 items list, and I fell in love with it immediately.  I have finally (after a break of a fee months) finished writing my list.  

On Monday May 31, 2021 (1001 days from now), my goal is to have completed this list.  I hope you will enjoy following along in the journey - or at least will share it with someone who may.

1. Run 1 5K a month for 12 months straight

2. Run a half marathon

3. Take an art class

4. Take 3 “do it yourself” classes at Home Depot or Lowes

5. Knit something

6. Have my own vegetable garden

7. Learn how to make Mom’s mac and cheese and make it on my own

8. Learn how to make dad’s lasagna and make it on my own

9. Go to a different church to learn about other beliefs

10. Learn to ski or snowboard

11. Go snow shoeing 

12. Complete one of Grandma’s 3D puzzles

13. Complete a bartending course

14. Print a coffee table photo book of my own photos.  

15. Teach Boston a new trick

16. Learn to fish and catch a fish

17. Get a tattoo

18. Make ribs on the smoker at the bay

19. Drive a jet ski

20. Make my own tea

21. Write for website “More Love Letters” once a month for a year

22. Hang my own curtains

23. Learn to play guitar

24. Fall in love

25. Take a real camping trip

26. Lost 50lbs - for myself

27. Go to all of the 19 Natural Lands Nature preserves in PA

28. Start a blog and post actively

29. Serve as a mentor for other widows

29. Have a window herb garden

31. Make my own bath bombs

32. Make cabin at bay solar powered

33. Create a draft of photo book to be professionally published 

34. Journal for 3 months straight about 3 joys a day

35. Get converted to a permanent employee at work

36. Take a trip west of PA

37. Organize mom’s photo albums

38. Join a professional business group or association

39. Repurpose or re-do a piece of furniture

40. Write 12 poems

41. Join a public speaking group 

42. Develop a detailed budget

43. Spend 2 weeks off of all social media

44. Do a 30 day declutter challenge

45. Study my families ancestry and take notes

46. Learn to paddleboard

47. Send out birthday and anniversary cards consistently for a year

48. Hike some of the Appalachian Trail

49. See Celine Dion

50. Check out the Nashville music scene

51. Do a wwoof volunteer trip

52. Read for 30 minutes a day before bed for a month

53. Go to a concert alone

54. Take a flower or plant based class

55. Do a skills based volunteering activity

56. Read all of the books on my bookshelves

57. Spend a rainy day watching movies in my pi’s

58. Build a fire on the beach

59. Make a blanket fort and sleep in it

60. Meditate or do yoga daily for 30 days

61. Cook a recipe from one of my cookbooks once a month for a year

62. Make apple pie from scratch

63. Become a mental health advocate

64. Read a book about the history of the town I grew up in

65. Take a picture for each letter of the alphabet

66. Get a massage at a spa

67. Host a board game night

68. Listen to 26 musician / artists that I have never heard of - each starting with a different letter of the alphabet

69. Ride a hot air balloon

70. Learn about stock investment

71. Do 3 meetup.com events

72. Organize music onto my computer

73. Make my bed everyday for a month

74. Go to a haunted house or hayride

75. Donate or give away all excess clothes

76. Make pottery or a sculpture

77. Use only reusable bags for a month

78. See a broadway show

79. Assemble home emergency kit

80. Get speakers set up for record player

81. Use hand lettering book to learn to write name

82. Host a craft night with friends or family

83. Hold a plank for 5 minutes

84. Set up roof rack and go kayaking

85. Go play bingo out somewhere

86. Go to a flyers game

87. Go to a 76ers game

88. Host football Sunday

89. Meal prep every Sunday for a month

90. Go to the 9/11 museum

91. Buy a stranger’s meal or coffee

92. Walk 10K steps a day for 2wks

93. Take a free online class

94. Take a holiday train ride

95. Watch 5 documentaries

96. Send someone a care package

97. Attend a professional conference or training event

98. Go to bed at 9 every weeknight for two straight weeks

99. Learn how to braid my hair

100. Give 5 “just because” gifts

101. Document all 101 goals - the successes AND the failures.