Life To Do List
This list was first created in mid-2004 after I took the David Allen Company's "Getting Things Done" class - one I'd highly recommend if you are looking to make your life more organized and lower your stress level. The assignment was to create a 30,000 ft view of big lofty goals to motivate you to make steps to get yourself moving when the opportunity presents itself.
1) Have a meal in all 50 States in the US (meals eaten flying over the state or at the airport during a layover don't count) - completed in June of 2005 with Alaska.
2) Complete a marathon (Done! First one in June 2005, now up to 11 full and 31 half marathons)
3) Get a Distinguished Toastmaster ranking - Completed August 2006
2) Complete a marathon (Done! First one in June 2005, now up to 11 full and 31 half marathons)
3) Get a Distinguished Toastmaster ranking - Completed August 2006
Plans for existing - to be completed this year.
4) Have a meal on all 7 continents. One more checked off in 2012 - Australia. On schedule for Antarctica in 2015.
5) (this is the one I forgot) Publish a novel. There's an online event in November called NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I've had a short story or two in me for some time now, and I think it's time to get one of them out!
4) Have a meal on all 7 continents. One more checked off in 2012 - Australia. On schedule for Antarctica in 2015.
5) (this is the one I forgot) Publish a novel. There's an online event in November called NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I've had a short story or two in me for some time now, and I think it's time to get one of them out!
Still working on these - no time table
6) Play 3 instruments successfully in front of an unbiased audience - 2 of 3, Piano and Saxophone. Does a voice count as an instrument? I'd love to sing a number with an a capella group!
7) Speak 3 languages fluently enough to carry on a 10 minute conversation with a native speaker - 2 of 3, English (duh) and Spanish. American Sign Language maybe?
8) See 7 Wonders of the world - need to figure out which 7 (natural, ancient, modern...)
9) See a live platypus - Checked off in Eungella at the Broken River Mountain Resort.
10) Celebrate my 50th Wedding Anniversary - 18 years in June, 32 to go!
6) Play 3 instruments successfully in front of an unbiased audience - 2 of 3, Piano and Saxophone. Does a voice count as an instrument? I'd love to sing a number with an a capella group!
7) Speak 3 languages fluently enough to carry on a 10 minute conversation with a native speaker - 2 of 3, English (duh) and Spanish. American Sign Language maybe?
8) See 7 Wonders of the world - need to figure out which 7 (natural, ancient, modern...)
9) See a live platypus - Checked off in Eungella at the Broken River Mountain Resort.
10) Celebrate my 50th Wedding Anniversary - 18 years in June, 32 to go!
And to replace the three completed items in my Top 10. Here's where it gets interesting:
11) Introduce a friend to the person they eventually marry. Note that one of them actually has a referral bonus
.12) Save a life. The list is also to remind me of things I CAN do, not just things I want to do. Knowing that I want to do this is a reminder not to hesitate when the need arises. I give blood and platelets on a regular basis, so that's a step.
13) Complete 50 total Half and Full Marathons by age 50. I'm having so much fun doing them now that I can't just walk away. This shouldn't be a problem - 2 per year - as long as I stay healthy. This is way ahead of schedule and will be done in January of 2013 at Rock n Roll Arizona!
In the mean time, I hope you've got a list of your own. This kind of thing shouldn't wait until you're pushing 40 like I did. There were so many times I was a half hour away from another state or put off doing a speech for Toastmasters just because I didn't have a commitment to do it.
But when all was said and done, it's a great conversation starter.
"Yeah, I've been there... I've been to all 50 states".
