Nearly three years ago, I began compiling a list of things I wanted to accomplish before the age of thirty based on Michael Green’s 101 Things in 1001 Days. Initially, the list was set at 3000, but was quickly narrowed to a more modest 300.
In all honesty, I had completely forgotten all about it until I rediscovered it a few days before my 24th birthday. By that time, though, I had actually completed quite a few of the items on the list.
My list of 300 things to do before turning 30 were compiled using twelve categories: activism & philanthropy, appearance, education, finance, health & fitness, hobbies, home, music, recreation, relationships, technology and travel. The plan was to accommodate twenty-five items per each category, although, in the end, a few categories gained more items than others.
Back then, I hadn’t yet figured out what it’s all about as quite a few items involved consumerism. I’ll admit that I made some of those purchases, but I know that my worldly possession don’t make me who I am.
I had already begun my DGADW state of mind as evidenced in a few items from the list: buy a hybrid vehicle, go on a Habitat build, donate monthly to a cause that means a lot me, get involved in a mentoring program and teach a child how to do something.
N-Retrospekt…ahem…in retrospect, some of the items now seem quite absurd: go 24 hours without using a computer, get up at 5 a.m. and go for a run for a month, keep N-Retrospekt around at least until I’m 30, stop shaving for two weeks.
I mean, come on! I seldom go more than two days without shaving, N-Retrospekt no longer exists, and in my line of work, a computer is essential and my BlackBerry has proven to be a necessity.
But the majority of the list are still things I’d like to do if I hadn’t already done them: learn to develop my own film, meet a family member I’ve never met before, enjoy a meal in a restaurant in only my own company, adopt a cat, bake a cake, learn sign language (although my skill level for that last one has now become minimal, at best).
There’s still a lot left to do, though: graduate from college (May 18th can’t get here soon enough!), write a book, go on a road trip, set foot on all seven continents, learn a few foreign languages, buy a piano, fall in love and experience fatherhood.
This list says so much about who I was at that point in time, but I’d like to think I’ve grown and matured since then. A couple of the items (of which I won’t mention in detail) are no longer of interest to me because of the lack of maturity they entail. On the other hand, items like going to law school don’t appeal to me now just because and I’m cool with that; things change. But the more things change, the more they stay the same.
I’m thinking it may be time to update my list. I don’t think thirty will be the deadline this time. It’s not because 30, for me, is only a few short years away, though. The way I see it, I’m just getting started. Why limit myself, you know? In fact, I won’t even use a deadline, but this list will definitely be updated unlike my first one.
What about you? What’s on your list?
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Thanks for visiting!
Peace and blessings,
J. Dakar
Friday, May 2, 2008 at 9:41 pm
What Up J.
As far as my list goes, I mentioned it over on my own blog but my list changes on a daily basis. We all have goals that we want to accomplish be they professional or personal. My only worry is that I may sabotage most of my personal goals by allowing my professional life to trump my personal life. I think that’s something I definitely need to work on. But hey. I’ll take things as they come along.
Friday, May 2, 2008 at 10:52 pm
brran1 » I’ve long felt that my personal life may take a backseat to my professional one. In fact, I expect that will be how it all plays out, but it all depends on what’s important to you.
Like you, though, I’ll take things as they come along.
Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 10:38 am
Actually, my list is small and too the point. 1) Be wealthy by Federal Governement standards ($1M in movable assets) and 2) open my clothing store. I tried that whole “list of things to do” but it has evolved so much that I just decided to check of stuff that probably would have been on my list…
Monday, May 5, 2008 at 9:53 pm
This list seems like a good idea. At the beginning of the year, I made a list of things to do before 2009, but I really want to go deeper. Like starting my own non-profit organization and maybe even opening my own school.
Good luck with updating your list and I can’t wait for your website to drop!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 11:13 am
After reading this post, I made my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. I think it’s a great idea, and it will help me structure my life post-college (I graduated in December 2007).
Regarding the Habitat build that you mentioned- During Spring 2007, I participated in “Alternative Spring Break”, and I went to Mobile, Alabama and helped build a house, paint walls, and fix various things in the houses. Not only did I meet people from the Peace Corps, Habitat for Humanity, and those who lived in the area, I also learned how to use different tools and make easy repairs at my own place back home in Texas.
Enough rambling. And good luck with your list! Especially learning a new language. It’ll open your eyes to a whole new culture and it’s amazing. I’m pretty nice with Spanish, and here i go rambling again. sorry