Aggie Pride Plates -Check

Not exactly burning up the list thus far, but I guess progress is progress no matter how small. I continue to do my reading and I call my parents like I should, but I just completed a task that can actually be checked off my list: I Wanna Talk About Me: #14

I was not able to get the GR8DAY like I wanted because it was already taken, so I settled for 97YOLO. 97 being my class year and YOLO (You Only Live Once) is a phrase I picked up during my Rapport LB2 class.

It reminds me to live everyday like it could be my last and not pass up opportunities because we only get one shot at this crazy world. I just hope my car survives life in Lubbock, Texas with a target sign on it!

Sunday Night Reflection

Tonight I finished the first of my Non-fiction books, "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. It will be one that I reread 3 or 4 times over the next year. It has insights that will allow me to accomplish my list. I also finished up my 1st fiction book, "The Judas Strain" by James Rollins. It was a real page turner. I have enjoyed every one of Rollins' books that I have read so far. I just hope he can get another one published before I finish his latest book.

#8 under Family Guy also fell this weekend. Griffin and I were able to sneak down to the Country Club and hit a bucket of golf balls. For his first time he did great. I however was not much help as a teacher or as an example to follow. But, to him it was a great experience and even if the ball sliced 90 degrees all he saw was how far it went before it hit the ground. So for a brief moment in time I was a great golfer, at least in Griffin's eyes. I'll take it!

I have started out somewhat slow on my list thus far. I have found it takes more effort than I first thought to encourage someone every day. I thought it would be really easy, but at first it took a lot of energy and thought. I have definitely become more aware of the trials others are facing now that I am looking for people to encourage. I will not say that I have been able to do it every day, but I am sure getting better and more consistent.

In celebration of my list accomplishment so far I downloaded a few tunes of itunes today. I chose Mark McKinney's "Are We doing This" and "Comfortable In This Skin" off his album "Get It On. If you love Texas Country like I do, this is a great album. Check out his site at www.markmckinney.com

That's All for Now! Make it a great night!

Dave

Day Number 2

It was a typical Monday, well except it was Tuesday, but you know what I mean. We are in the middle of remodeling the office and I am surprised at how the disorganization is bothering me. Kimbra would tell you that I am not usually very organized so I should feel right at home, but there is something about it that bothers me. Any way, as for the challenge I was able to give my daily encouragement to Griffin while he practiced soccer.

I have often heard that writing down your goals is half the battle. Once you have them on paper your subconscious takes over and your mind is suppose to begin mapping out ways to accomplish them. I now believe it whole heartedly. It seems I find my mind drifting to the list when ever it is not actively engaged. I also wonder how my life might have been different if I had started this process 10 years ago. I guess it really doesn't matter much now. The important thing is what direction my life's journey takes from this moment forward. To borrow a line from a country song, I can't wait to see the next 50 years!

Make it a great night!

Dave

Day 1

We are back from the lake sunburn free, well almost, and fired up about our list. Kimbra and I talked a lot about how we were going to accomplish our task over the next 1001 days. We both started reading our non-fiction books. I choose to start with an oldie but a goodie, "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill and Kimbra started with "The Radical Leap" by Steve Farber. It may be a bonus book for me as Kimbra read a lot of it out loud on the trip home.

The kids are tired and I my self would like a small nap, but I doubt that will happen with the clothes that need to be folded and the other little things we need to do before we are ready for the week. But, the list is well under way. I was able to encourage Kimbra today about her ability to deliver an outstanding customer service talk. We'll see if any more opportunities come up today to cross an item of my list, maybe bake a cake for Kimbra! Make it a great Labor day afternoon.

Dave

The LIST!

Because we are heading to the lake I wanted to get the list posted today before we leave. It has been an interesting two weeks contemplating the 101 things I will do over the next 1001 days.

When Kimbra first emailed me the idea and I read Drew's list I was instantly energized. I thought it would be a breeze, but as Kimbra and I began to think about all the things we wanted to do, we realized that we have been blessed. We have have had the opportunity to do a lot of things we read on other people's list. This really humbled both of us as we realized how wonderful life has been to us.

It also made making the list a little more tasking as we wanted to make sure we pushed our selves, but did not take for granted the simple pleasures life in Levelland affords us. Having ramble on for too long already here is the list with out further ado : Dave's 101 List

Down to the Last Two!

A funny thing happened last night. I was typing up my list and when I got to 99 I stopped. For some reason the thought of finishing my list and posting it scared the HE** out of me. Funny, as over the last two weeks i have been racking my brains to come up with the list and now that the end is so very achievable I put on the brakes like a locomotive engineer avoiding a stalled car on the tracks ahead.

I have thought all day about my sudden stop and realized that it wasn't fear of starting necessarily, but the fear of leaving something important off the list. I have now seen how silly it is because their is no rule against adding items. So tonight I complete the list and begin the process of organizing the list. I must run now because Kimbra is dieing to finish her list.

Make it a great night!

Back to the List

Having had our house party Kimbra and I can return our focus back to our list. Although, Kimbra has been able to build her list over the last couple of weeks she still needs two dozen more items to reach the 101. I on the other hand have just crossed into the sixties.

In preparing to host the High Ground of Texas Party on the Patio reception we have been very busy. We have painted the outside of the house, replaced our front doors, replaced our windows, power washed the patio, landscaped our back and front yards and decorated the inside of our home. All things we have been planning to do, but had been putting off for a while.

Interesting how pressure of an impending event can motivate me to accomplish so much in so little time. It was a lot of hard work and I was sick of working to dark every night, but the result is a beautiful home that I can share with my loving family. Kimbra and I are excited about the list because we know how well we perform under a deadline.

So, with just over a week to go, Kimbra and I will complete our list and post them to this blog to share with the world. September is coming! Make it a great weekend!

Creating the LIst

When I set September 1, 2008 as our go date, I thought we would have our list and just be waiting on the magic date to get here so we could begin our quest of 101 task. That, however, is proving to be farther from the truth each day.

We each began our list with a fever pitch racking up the first 20 with out a lot of thought. Then, like a farm truck that hits the soft ground of a freshly irrigate turn row our progress slowed to a craw. I really can't believe that it is taken so much time to come up with a 101 things I would like to accomplish. I feel like I say, "Oh, I want to do that" all the time, but now that I am focusing and putting my self in position to actually obtain what I want my mind is being more selective.

So, Kimbra and I continue to slog our way through this initial phase of the project hoping that we have enough time before September 1 to organize and polish our list before the clock starts ticking. That's the skinny for now. Make today a great Monday!

Dave

The Challenge Begin's

Well it didn't take long for Drew's inspiration to spread. My wife Kimbra emailed me this just before lunch and just 4 hours later we have decided to take up the challenge. Drew is a good friend of my wife and his words have given Kimbra and I motivation to get out of our comfort zones and make life grand. Check out his list here.

Now, what is this challenge I speak of you ask? 101 Things in 1001 days

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities. (Taken from the 1001 Project website)

So, Kimbra and I have decided to give ourselves until September 1, 2008 to create our list. That puts our finish date May 30, 2011 Check back as we begin this fantastic voyage through life over the next 1001 days (+23)