Creating my 101 Things in 1001 Days List

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
To start the new year off, I decided to create a 101 things in 1001 days list. I love the idea of a bucket list for seasons or life or before a certain birthday. I think it's my desire to create lists regardless of importance. List makers unite!

The 101 things seemed like a good way to keep myself on track. I don't know if you feel this same way but I always think of all the things I would like to do in my life. I have created a mental bucket list with a few important things on it.  One of the few is to take a trip to New York City. Even though I have wanted to make the trip, I continuously put it off. I always think this is the year...then we purposely plan a vacation somewhere else. I have done this same thing with another goal recently. I want to read 25 books this year. A goal to help me use my free time better and educate myself. Wouldn't you know, I still find myself clicking around the Internet in my free time. Do you fall into these bad habits of personal sabotage too? Wasting time on things you don't really like and never doing the things you actually enjoy? 

I waste so much free time in this way. I can't help be frustrated with myself. I don't even know why I do this. Do I have a subconscious desire to "punish" myself? Am I too insecure to break out of my comfort zone? Scared to feel disappointed if it doesn't turn out the way I hoped? Or am I just too lazy to spend my energy doing something worthwhile? Maybe it's a little bit of everything? If you do the same, can you pinpoint what keeps you from not doing what you love?

In order to stop this maddening cycle I took a day or two before New Year's Day to write out my 101 Things in 1001 Days list. I figured this list spanning over 2.75 years would break that nasty habit of putting off til tomorrow. Plus, it helps with my 2015 resolution to be more authentic and make more decisions true to who I am. I wouldn't want to give up on that goal just yet ;) I hope the list would keep me purposeful in my actions. Stop wasting time doing the worthless activities that never really refresh me.

I have really tried to commit to accomplishing this list. I found the key to staying on track with your 101 list is to average completing one thing every 10 days. Another motivator is  to stock away money every time you complete one thing. Both actions keep you accountable and encouraged. As of February 1st, I have completed three things and sealed three separate envelopes with my reward money. 2017 seems so far off but I'm excited to keep up with these goals and stop wasting time on the stuff I don't like so much. 

I'm interested...do you have a 101 things list? A bucket list? Heck, even a shopping list :) Research shows putting things in writing is a bigger motivator than keeping it stored in your brain. Something to think about ;)