125 Days = 1/4 Of 1001
Of course… I created a list. However, this month, I’ve realised it’s May. Wow! Where did that come from?! One-quarter of my 1001 days have passed and I have barely given my original list a second thought. If I have made any progress at all in completing my goals, it’s more by accident than good management. What can I say? Hey, I’ve been busy! A lot has happened since the beginning of the year. My life has changed dramatically in such a short space of time. Without even looking at my list, I can say that my priorities have probably changed a great deal too. Whilst I haven’t exactly stuck to the plan, my life has moved forward in a way I’m really happy with. Anyway, I figured it was about time I reviewed my original list to see if I have made any progress and to see if the list is still relevant.
Goal for May – colour in the calendar and sort out time-management
" data-orig-size="3968,2976" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" data-image-title="May" data-orig-file="https://i1.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_225222.jpg?fit=3968%2C2976" height="810" width="1080" data-medium-file="https://i1.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_225222.jpg?fit=300%2C225" aperture="aperture" />I can’t believe it’s May already! A goal for May – colour in the calendarMy Original List Of 101 Goals To Be Completed In 1001 Days
Work-Related Goals
Get a job
At the time I started this blog, this was my number one priority as I had no income. That situation changed very quickly and quite unexpectedly! I’ll write about that in a future blog post no doubt – it’s too much for here and now. I do feel it’s important for me to blog about my progress in this area of my life though.
Set up a blog
I did it! Look at me, I’m doing it, I’m really blogging! Whilst it may not look to an outsider as though I’ve made a great deal of progress, there’s been a lot going on behind the scenes. Read this post to find out more about why I set up my blog.
Complete the Google Developer Scholarship I started with Udacity
My learning experience with Udacity has been fantastic! Their online courses are delivered in a fun, engaging way that makes the facts easy to digest. I would highly recommend them to anyone wanting to learn new skills online. However, the Google Developer Scholarship is a course I embarked upon when I was with my ex because he thought it would be good for me. Having reassessed my life, I’ve realised that I don’t have time to do absolutely everything and I’m not sure how useful this is to me right now. Rather than mark this goal as failed, I’m going to delete it and add another goal to learn more about WordPress. I think that would be more useful to me.
Design a logo for my blog in Illustrator
I did create a logo but I actually hate it so I’ll either have another go or just get someone else to create one for me on Fiverr. I haven’t decided yet.
Attend a blogger event
This is still a relevant goal but not something I feel ready to do just yet. I’ve been making a lot of tweaks to my blog recently and don’t really feel ready to brag about it just yet.
Write a blog post on a subject I know absolutely nothing about
Now that I’ve been blogging for a few months now, I’ve realised that this isn’t really relevant. I’m learning and developing all the time and updating my blog with new things. Therefore, I’m blogging about subjects that are new to me all the time. So, this is a bit of a nothing goal really. I’m going to delete this goal and make way for something more relevant, overcoming my fear of social media. It’s a silly thing to be scared of. I need to get over this and get into the habit of posting creating social media posts on a daily basis.
Upload 10 cards to www.craftsuprint.com every day for a week
This is something I’ve yet to do. I can manage it for a couple of days in the week but I struggle with it on a daily basis as I find it quite hard to juggle with my other freelancing work. With a little bit of effort put into time management, I’m sure it can be achieved. That’s what this exercise is all about after all.
Make more money selling cards online than I did in my full-time job
At the moment, I’m building up the number of card designs I have in my online store. This is going to take a lot of time and dedication. If I can achieve the above goal consistently, I’m sure it will happen! Why not take a look at my online store?
Write a blog post once a week
I’m still not into the habit of doing this. In fact, one of the reasons for wanting to update my 101 in 1001 list was so that I could prioritise my goals and plan a blogging schedule.
Learn a language
This is something I would like to do one day when I have more time. At the moment, I’m putting so much time into self-development and learning new skills that I’m having to be quite selective about where I choose to concentrate my efforts. Learning a language is going to have to go on a new list – to do someday. Instead, I’m going to create a new goal to learn more about SEO.
Rach’s grumpy looking elephant money box
" data-orig-size="2976,2233" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" data-image-title="Elephant Money Box" aperture="aperture" />Rach’s financial goal – to make the elephant happyFinancial Goals
Work out where all my money goes and plan a budget
This is something I should make a priority as I always seem to be completely broke!
Save a 3-month emergency fund
As a freelancer, this is something I should definitely have. Working from home just doesn’t come with the same kind of financial security that having a job does. You never know what’s around the corner.
Goals For A Happy Mind
Get some counselling and sort my head out!
Done. Quite simply, this saved my life!
Answer the 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind on http://www.marcandangel.com
At the beginning of the year, I didn’t know my own mind. This felt like an important thing to do at the time and I must admit, it helped me to gain some clarity. I completed this goal mentally a few months back but never wrote my ideas down, unfortunately. I may revisit this at some point in the future and write a blog post on it.
Write a letter to myself and read it in 1001 days
I’m going to change this goal to make way for one that I feel is more appropriate. Whilst in counselling earlier on in the year, we discussed how writing letters can help you process your thoughts. I took this one step further for my own development and decided to write letters to myself to avoid making relationship blunders.
Sort my sleep pattern out!
I’m a terrible insomniac, particularly when I have things on my mind.
Practice gratitude for 28 days
The theory is that if you fill your life with good things, there’s no room for bad things. This is one of the tactics that helped me fight depression. It’s amazing actually, just how much this one tactic has helped me to progress.
A stack of books and a cup of tea… all that’s missing is a nice slice of cake!
" data-orig-size="3968,2976" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" data-image-title="Books" data-orig-file="https://i2.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_234148.jpg?fit=3968%2C2976" height="810" width="1080" data-medium-file="https://i2.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_234148.jpg?fit=300%2C225" data-permalink="http://www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/2018/05/30/my-101-in-1001-progress-update/selfp/" data-image-meta="{" alt="A stack of books on Rach's dining room table along with a lovely cup of tea in her favourite cat mug" data-recalc-dims="1" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_234148.jpg?w=3968 3968w, https://i2.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_234148.jpg?resize=300%2C225 300w, https://i2.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_234148.jpg?resize=768%2C576 768w, https://i2.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_234148.jpg?resize=1024%2C768 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_234148.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200 1600w, https://i2.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_234148.jpg?resize=780%2C585 780w, https://i2.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_234148.jpg?w=2160 2160w, https://i2.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_234148.jpg?w=3240 3240w" class="size-full wp-image-798" data-large-file="https://i2.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_234148.jpg?fit=1024%2C768" aperture="aperture" />The books Rach has read this year (or is reading right now)Read at least 12 books a year
Earlier on in the year, my mind was so all over the place, I couldn’t concentrate long enough to read a page out of a book. Now that my mind is a little clearer, I have rekindled my love for reading. So far this year I’ve read four books which I would say is pretty good progress so far. Unless I stop reading, obviously, I’d say I’m pretty much on track to achieve this.
Make a list of 100 things that make me happy
At the time I made my list of 101 in 1001 I was in the depths of depression and needed to focus on things that made me happy. Now that I’m out of the other side of it now, this doesn’t seem so important to me but definitely a list I think I should make at some point.
Spend an afternoon reading at a park
When my life is so completely well organised and I’m on top of absolutely everything, this will be my ultimate reward! The thought of having absolutely nothing more important to do than reading sounds like sheer bliss!
Stop playing with my phone!
Done. I don’t do this any more and it’s such a relief!
Spend more time relaxing with my cats
I have made a conscious effort to do this and we’re all happier as a result.
Learn to appreciate myself more
I do now way more than I ever have. Although I still have a hard time saying no to people and put myself first.
I have absolutely no idea who this is by. It was a past exhibition at the Whitworth Are Gallery Manchester, I’ll have to find out
" data-orig-size="2970,2228" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" aperture="aperture" />Manage time and we manage our emotions?Organisational Goals
Get better at time management
This was something I was great at but it all went sideways when I started to doubt myself. I used to manage the diaries of a very busy recruitment team in addition to organising events and I thrived on it! I can barely manage myself now. Actually, that’s not true, I’m getting better as my mental health improves but I know I’ve got a lot of work to do.
Declutter my house
I did this! I couldn’t believe the benefits… Watch this space for a blog post.
Get a diary and put everyone’s birthdays in
Have diary, will plan.
Make a weekly schedule of tasks to complete for Craftsuprint
This is just part of the whole time-management overhaul I’m going through at the moment.
Make a to-do list at the end of every day for the following day and stick to it
Notice the running theme on time-management?
Spend less time working and more time getting stuff done!
I’d probably achieve this if I learned to stop repeating myself! At some point, I’ll come up with a goal to replace this one.
Sort the internet out upstairs and create some proper office space
Aha! At last, a practical thought on organisation. I actually did this and I have to say that my life certainly feels more organised now that I have a ‘place of work’.
Relationship Goals
Widen my social circle
My social life is definitely better than it was six months ago. This is something that I always hope will be a work in progress!
Spend more time with friends
I have realised the true value of friendship since the beginning of this year. I still don’t see my friends as often as I would like though.
I love spending time with my niece, it gives me an excuse to behave like a kid!
" data-orig-size="2976,2232" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" data-image-title="Rach and her niece" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180529_224420.jpg?fit=2976%2C2232" aperture="aperture" />Rach and her niece on the swingsSpend more time with my sister and her family
My sister has been an absolute rock to me this year. I never really felt we were that close but that’s changed and I’m so grateful. I love spending time with my niece and nephew, they’re so much fun and it gives me an excuse to behave like a kid!
Have a truly happy Christmas in 2018!
I wasn’t sure if this was a relationship goal really but Christmas to me is all about spending time with family so that’s where it sitting for now.
Meet the man of my dreams
Can I say this is a work in progress? I have met someone but I’m not ready to introduce him on my blog just yet. He is ace but we’re still at that ‘I don’t wanna jinx it by saying something stupid stage’.
Start a family
See above – I’m not ready to talk about this just yet. Let’s park it for now.
Find the perfect lodger
Getting a lodger was an idea I had to generate a bit of income when I didn’t have a job. Now that I’ve met someone, I don’t really want anyone else encroaching into our private space. This goal may become something else but for now, I’m leaving it alone.
Try speed dating
I never got around to trying this before meeting someone completely by chance! Now that I have, I don’t think he would be too happy about me doing this for the sake of a blog post… let’s see where it goes. I’ll keep you posted.
Ok… so that’s not health food, I know, I’m sorry
" data-orig-size="3968,2976" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" data-image-title="Burger & Beer" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180528_202335.jpg?fit=3968%2C2976" height="810" width="1080" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_20180528_202335.jpg?fit=300%2C225" data-image-meta="{" data-permalink="http://www.whatrachdidnext.co.uk/2018/05/30/my-101-in-1001-progress-update/edf-4/" aperture="aperture" />Mmm… Burger and beer!Health & Fitness Goals
No alcohol for a month
I just want to say right now that I have not got a problem with alcohol! I actually don’t drink that much. I just wanted to see what effect (if any) it would have on my health if I gave it up completely for a month.
Walk 10,000 steps every day for a week
This is soooo hard to do consistently! I’m not a complete lazy oaf, I do walk more than 10k steps most days. It’s just so hard to get into the routine of doing every single day this when you work from home.
Go swimming
I’m going to change this one. Having to go swimming several times a week, get showered, get dried, get changed is just too much faffing around for me to fit this into my weekly schedule. I have recently started getting up early and doing mini workouts every day before breakfast which is something I never thought I would do! I’m going to delete this goal and create a new one to keep up with my pre-breakfast workouts for a month, Mon – Fri. That sounds like a decent enough time to create a new habit but not so challenging that I’ll give up on it.
Get my BMI below 25 and keep it there!
I’ve recently downloaded a health & fitness app which I love! Watch this space for a blog post…
Get into the habit of body brushing every day
I love doing this! It makes me feel so amazing! Making it an everyday habit is hard though.
Get into the habit of making and drinking kefir regularly
This is something I know I should do. Whether or not I actually want to, I’m just not that sure. I’ll probably swap it for a beauty goal because I haven’t got any but taking care of my appearance is important to me. At the moment, my nails are an absolute mess because they’re so pathetically wea
Practice Yoga at least once a week
This little app I’ve been using lately incorporates Yoga workouts and I’m loving them!
RUN a 10k race
This is not going to happen! I’ve run the Great Manchester Run a few times in the past. It was an amazing experience and every time it has given me an overwhelming buzz that lasted for weeks! Although for a few health reasons I don’t think I’ll be doing it again. Instead, I’m going to commit to trying a new activity that I’ve never done before.
Give up caffeine for good
I have done this before but somehow slipped back into my old coffee junkie ways again. What can I say? I just love coffee!F
Fashion & Beauty Goals
Organise my wardrobe
Do I really only have one Fashion & Beauty goal? I do actually take pride in my appearance and think that doing so is vital for our health esteem. Maybe it’s just so ingrained in me that I just didn’t see the point in making any goals in relation to the subject?
Creative Goals
Unpick the scarf I made that’s way too big and make something else from the wool
I’m still thinking what to do with this. There’s probably enough there to make a jumper dress – I would love one of those!
Draw something every day for a week
I used to be so good at drawing. Like any skill though, if you don’t use it, you lose it. I would love to have the time to get back into this again.
Make new artwork for my house
I’m going through a bit of a ‘life cleanse’ at the moment. In doing so I’ve got rid of all the artwork I had in my house so I need some more. I’d love to create some new pieces myself.
Find a personally inspirational quote and work it into a piece of art or home decor
I have an idea for this already… watch this space!
Learn calligraphy
This is something I have always wanted to do but never had time for. Or maybe I doubt myself because I’ve got the world’s worst handwriting?
Complete a 365-day photo challenge
How about… I challenge myself to post something every day on Instagram – that might actually help me overcome my fear of social media!
DIY Goals
Paint all the ceilings in the house
This is such a backbreaking job! Particularly as I have an old Victorian terraced with enormously high ceilings. So far I’ve managed the bathroom, the living room and the spare bedroom.
Plan a colour scheme and decorate the living room
Done… and it looks awesome!
Upcycle a piece of furniture
If I can complete this goal, it will finish off my living room so beautifully!
Create a storage area under the stairs
This is a long term project. It won’t be happening imminently but I do hope it will be within 1001 days.
Get a new kitchen
Another project that is highly unlikely to happen overnight
Get new flooring downstairs
With my house being open plan, this isn’t easy. It may have to happen in stages or be covered with rugs.
Get a matching mat set to finish off the bathroom
This is so quick and easy, there’s absolutely no excuse for it not being done! I decorated the bathroom about a year ago but I still haven’t completed the finishing touches.
Get new carpets upstairs
I’m going to have to take the stair carpet up so that I can paint the skirting boards – which are a mess! If I’ve got to take up the stair carpet I may as well replace it… the rest kinda follow on from the stairs.
Turn my backyard into somewhere I would like to spend time relaxing
With all the gorgeous sunshine we’ve had so far this year, this has become more of a priority but it’s a big project. I may have to funk things up with potted herbs for now
Material Goals
Get a new car
Having not had one for about a year now, I’ve actually got used to it. At the moment, as I work from home, this is an unnecessary expense. There are changes I can foresee in my future though, which having a car would make easier.
Buy a new computer
Everything I do is online and my laptop is so slow! I don’t need something portable so I could probably do with a desktop machine. I’m considering my options.
Buy a dishwasher
This does not seem as urgent as it was when I first made my list but it is something that would make life easier. With having a tiny kitchen, even if there are two cups on the side it looks a total mess! It would be nice to tuck all the washing up away until it’s clean and can go straight back in the cupboards.
Buy a graphics tablet
I did have one of these and it got broken. I was devastated! I would love another one as it would make my design work so much easier.
Foodie Goals
Plan a food diary and stick to it for a week
Having a plan to stick to makes life so much easier in any area of life, including food! This needs to be incorporated into my organisational master plan.
Make fresh mozzarella from scratch
Fresh Mozzarella is one of my favourite things and I’m led to believe it’s incredibly easy to make. I’m dying to find out for myself!
Buy a set of decent knives
This is a work in progress. I have a couple now but would love a whole set so that whatever culinary task I need to complete, I have the tools for the job.
Get a set of pans with matching lids that fit!
I have pans. I have lids. I’m not sure how but at some point during my life, my pans and lids have got mixed up with someone else’s collection and they’re all a bit mismatched. It’s something that’s been bugging me for years but I just never got around to sorting out.
Learn 10 more recipes for lentils and beans
I love pulses! I really want to explore new ways to include them in my diet.
Find a recipe to use up all these marshmallows I have in my cupboard!
I did have a small mountain of marshmallows in my cupboard after Christmas. There was a reason why but I can’t recall just now. Anyway, they have been slowly used up, no doubt in hot chocolate and Mississippi Mud Pies. I have no doubt I’ll have a really naughty, marshmallow based recipe to share with you at some point though.
Try a new recipe once a week
Done! I’m doing this every day at present with this new diet app I’m using! I can’t wait to tell you all about it!
Make eggnog from scratch
I know a few people who have tried this and said that it absolutely kicks the ass out of that hideous pre-made stuff you get in a bottle. I must admit, that’s not my favourite thing in the world but I’m curious to try it nevertheless.
Cultural Goals
Watch 10 classic movies I’ve never seen
This is just a start – I have a TV in my living room which generally sits there gathering dust! I know it’s not good to spend too much time watching TV but I’m starting to feel quite out of touch with the real world. I could do with a bit of a catch up!
Go dancing
This has happened but I think when I set this goal, I meant actually learn to dance, properly.
Go to a music festival
This is happening and I’m so excited! I had such a bad time at a festival last year that I came home early. I’m going to the same one this year with my best friend and absolutely nothing is going to get in the way of us having an absolutely amazing time!
Visit 5 different museums
Do art galleries count here? I’ve been to several this year already – now that’s progress! If so, I might have to up my museum quota in this goal is to last two and a bit years!
Go to see an Opera
This is another one of those things I’ve always wanted to do but just never got around to it. It’s on my list now, it has to happen!
See a ballet
As above
Go to a circus
A people circus I’m talking about here. I hate seeing animals being made to do things. Is that even allowed any more? Only I don’t like clowns (does anyone?) I’d like to avoid those if I can.
Celebrate Chinese New Year
Done! I went with my Mum to Manchester to celebrate. It was awesome!
Social Life Goals
Do something fun to celebrate Halloween
I really like Halloween. Along with fireworks, it breaks up that vast expanse of dark nights in between the kids going back to school and Christmas. We should do more to celebrate it and make it fun.
Go to the British Musical Fireworks Championship
I’ve wanted to go to this ever since I found out about it but for one reason or another, I’ve been unable to go. This year, I’m determined to make it!
Go ice skating
I’m determined this Christmas is going to be perfect. Ice skating is one of those things that will make Christmas magical for me. Even if next Christmas isn’t perfect, I would consider an improvement to be making some progress.
Complete an aerial assault course
This may get crossed off and replaced by something else as I’m really scared of heights! I may as well set myself a goal to spend a day in a cage full of spiders. I’ll update you on my progress of this one if there are any developments but I wouldn’t hold your breath.
Host a murder mystery party
I have a murder mystery party in a box that someone bought me a few years ago and I’ve been dying to use ever since but have never found an excuse!
Do something amazing to celebrate my birthday
Being on the 10th of January, nothing exciting ever really happens on my birthday. Except for going to Berlin for my 40th with my best friend, that was pretty special! I’ve often thought of moving it to another date, maybe in summer, just to see what it would be like?
Travel Goals
I don’t think these need any explanation. All I’ll say is that I need to plan some kind of travel schedule and post progress updates as and when they happen. I am a little worried I might have too many on my list to be completed within 1001 days though.
See the Northern Lights
Go to Barcelona
Go to Plitvice Lakes
See Dubrovnik
Visit Stonehenge
Go on a road trip without a pre-set destination
Find new places to go walking at weekends
Visit five different UK cities
Go on a ghost walk around York
Visit Berlin in summer
Spend the day at the beach
Go camping
Well, if you’re still reading, I’m amazed! Am I really that interesting?! Now that I’ve done it once, I do plan to come back to this post once a month and update my progress. I really want to achieve the goals I’ve set myself, just so that I can say I did it!
What are your goals? What are you working towards? Are you making progress? Get in touch, let me know how you’re getting on!
Rach x
