101 Things in 1095 Days (3 years)

Beginning Oct 31, 2018 thru Oct. 31, 2021Why the variation of 101 Things in 1001 Days?On October 31, I turn 55. I will begin my 56th year of life – which means that on October 31, 2021, I will be 58 and beginning my 59th year of life. This allows wiggle-room to complete my 101 Things and write a new list - before I turn 60.I’ve resisted creating this list – because when I reflect on the journals, vision exercises, new year resolutions, Lenten practices, etc of the past many years – I am struck by the lack of progress I make. I have incomplete writing works-in-progress and house repair to-do lists dating back to “too embarrassed to tell you” time. So, I ask myself – what’s the point.And, for so many years, when I’d plan to ‘make progress’ by calendaring and listing, something would come up that thwarted my efforts. I even piddled away My Self-directed Writer’s Retreat in August.Then I realized that I’ve always been a ‘give me a deadline’ person. And, my recent experience as accountability partner with Molly Totoro (a blogger friend at Molly Totoro) helped me realize that having some accountability helps keep me focused. (I can be a 95-idea-a-day person).I lead Strategic Planning sessions for clients all the time! I know they work! So, here’s my list – not 101 Things in 1001 Days, but in 3 years, so that when I’m ready to begin my 60^th year (4 years from now) I will have hopefully completed at least a portion of them. Because hey, life happens…I'll check back to provide an update every quarter: January, April, July, October of each year. I hope you'll join me -- and help keep me accountable.PROFESSIONAL FULFILLMENTMy children are 21, 20, and 16 – and although quite self-sufficient are by no means grown. Although self-employed and, therefore, have a good deal of flexibility in my schedule, I am in no position to retire or act as if I am retired – I must earn a living.I love what I currently do. I am a strategy and fundraising coach to small nonprofits across the country. One of the main reasons I love what I do is because I can satisfy my urge to ‘go about doing good’ and with nearly 70 clients, stave off boredom. But I’ve become a bit complacent because I have a very lucrative sub-contracting gig.So, I am challenging myself to up my game.Fundraising Coaching

1. Blog professionally (2x/month) for 2018-19
2. Blog professionally (2x/month) for 2019-20
3. Blog professionally (2x/month) for 2020-21
4. Offer monthly Rafflecopter contest for a free coaching service to a non-profit org?
5. Finish research for business book (a work-in-progress)
6. Write Chapter 1
7. Write Chapter 2
8. Write Chapter 3
9. Write Chapter 4
10. Write Chapter 5
11. Write Chapter 6
12. Write Chapter 7
13. Write Chapter 8
14. Write Chapter 9
15. Write Chapter 10
16. Edit business book
17. Send to beta-readers (Please let me know if you are interested)
18. Review beta-reader comments
19. Edit business book
20. Prep for publication
21. Create calendar to complement business book
22. Market/promote services and book
23. Explore new coaching niches to broaden my services

 Writing – Author PlatformBeing self-employed allows me the flexibility to develop my writing life. I’ve always wanted to be a published author and to write for a living. I’m grateful for the time I have to further study the craft, develop my voice, and prepare for the next phase in life. If you’ve read my guest posts (Starting Over: Why She Left the Convent to Embrace Change or Terrifying Questions) you’ll understand how many twists and turns my life has taken and why I feel the need to be ready for the next phase.Blogging

26. Figure out Pinterest
27. Figure out why Mailchimp doesn’t connect well to my blog – make needed adjustments
28. Blog weekly “Midlife Musings” in 2018-19
29. Blog weekly “Midlife Musings” in 2019-20
30. Blog weekly “Midlife Musings” in 2020-21
31. Blog weekly in “In the Kitchen” in 2018-2019
32. Blog weekly in “In the Kitchen” in 2019-2020
33. Blog weekly in “In the Kitchen” in 2020-2021
34. Complete A-Z Challenge 2019 – 26 blogs
35. Complete A-Z Challenge 2020 – 26 blogs
36. Complete A-Z Challenge 2021 – 26 blogs

 Authoring

35. Submit at least 2 articles per month to publications
36. If publication submissions are rejected, post them to Medium.com

Non-fiction Writing

37. Finish writing The Radical Heart (a work-in-progress)
38. Chapter 1
39. Chapter 2
40. Chapter 3
41. Chapter 4
42. Chapter 5
43. Chapter 6
44. Chapter 7
45. Chapter 8
46.  Chapter 9
47.  Chapter 10
48. Chapter 11
49. Chapter 12
50. Chapter 13
51. Chapter 14
52. Chapter 15
53. Chapter 16
54. Chapter 17
55. Chapter 18
56. Chapter 19
57. Chapter 20
58. Chapter 21
59. Chapter 22
60. Edit The Radical Heart
61. Send The Radical Heart to beta-readers (Please let me know if you are interested)
62. Review beta-reader comments and edit again.
63. Create accessories to complement The Radical Heart

Fiction Writing

64. Write basic outline of Novel 1 (a work-in-progress)
65. Write Part I of Novel 1 (a work-in-progress)
66. Write Part II of Novel 1
67. Write Part III of Novel 1
68. Edit Novel 1
69. Send to beta readers (Please let me know if you are interested)
70. Review comments and edit Novel 1 again
71. Finalize Novel 1 for publication

 PERSONAL FULFILLMENTAnd because life isn’t all work and no play – and I know the importance of enjoying life, I am embracing elements of relaxation, exercise, and gratitude in action.Relaxation

72. Finish 4-6 Jigsaw puzzles
73. Roller-skating on any 5^th Tuesdays of the month
74. Make (and use) prayer stool
75. Read 20 novels in 2019
76. Read 20 novels in 2020
77. Read 20 novels in 2021
78. Read 12 non-fiction books in 2019
79. Read 12 non-fiction books in 2020
80. Read 12 non-fiction books in 2021

Gratitude in Action

81. Find a ‘cause’ or organization to volunteer for regularly
82. Read husband’s doctoral thesis

Physical Activity

83. Engage in moderate aerobic activity at least 5 days a week

Enjoy bike trails around Chicago

84. North branch - 33.5 miles
85. Des Plaines - 54.8 miles
86. Major Taylor - 7 miles
87. Greenbay - 8.9 miles
88. Illinois Prairie Path - 61 miles
89. All forest preserves

Traveling

90. Use reward points to take vacation – somewhere, with husband
91. Visit Hong Kong (China) - with my daughter?

PREPARING FOR RETIREMENTWith the hope that I will not need to work until I’m 900, I hope to address critical areas that need attention BEFORE I am ready to retire, so that when I do – I can truly enjoy life.House ProjectsI've already re-plastered and re-tiled two bathrooms, painted all but the living room, created a backyard garden, and retiled the kitchen and back porch - but there's always more to do:

92. Paint living room
93. Repair front porch
94. Insulate and re-plaster enclosed back porch
95. Convert fire pit to brick insert
96. Build patio in backyard
97. Insulate and drywall basement ceiling
98. Do basic upgrades to basement half-bath

Personal Finances99. Establish will, trust, power of attorney100. Pay OFF credit card debtFinally, I hope that my journey might:

101. Inspire one other person to create a 101 Things in 1001 Days List.