SATURDAY
3 January 2009
A few years ago, I was reading one of the hippie/raw food eating/metaphysical philosophy books I own (and cherish, thanks very much), and the author touted the importance of making a list of 100 things you want to accomplish in the next year. These aren’t resolutions, mind you. This is another way of visualizing the life you’d like to lead for the next year. Much like a vision board, I suppose. A big, comprehensive list of the things you want to do, see, have, learn, experience, etc.
In the several years I’ve done this exercise, I’ve yet to come up with 100 things. Can you believe that?? I’m even including things like, “I replaced all of my tattered underwear!” and “Purchased a fancy watch!” I came up with everything my brain can imagine that I really want right now. Special thanks to my sister for posting a similar list on her blog from which I ‘borrowed’ several fantastic suggestions.
One of the challenges is that the accomplishments have to be measurable. Nothing vague like, “I will be in the best shape of my life.” However, “I gained 15 pounds of muscle” works, as does “I returned to tai chi play three times per week.” Sometimes, I admit, I’m not 100% successful with this. I know I’ll keep revamping and revising until it’s compliant with this rule, though.
The list is all over the place – career stuff, personal stuff, travel items, material things. Writing the list makes you think BIG about everything you want in your life, and not stopping until you reach 100 really forces you to expand your mind. Here’s my list as it stands right now:
1. New apartment that is quiet, peaceful, near the beach and where I can have a pup
2. New bicycle
3. New car
4. One screenplay optioned (minimum)
5. Ran a marathon
6. Added 15 pounds of muscle
7. Wrote two new screenplays (minimum)
8. Became financially independent – my investments earn enough to pay my expenses
9. Earned $1000 worth of writing income per week (business, creative, technical, articles, etc.)
10. Up and running with my iPhone
11. LA365 blog receives 50,000 hits per day
12. Arctic Dog Films website is up and running
13. Learned to surf! (and own all the accoutrements)
14. Met and am sharing life with my next great love
15. Enjoying my new MacbookPro w/Final Cut and ACS4
16. Studied & developed my intuitive abilities and put them to use (reading people)
17. Learned to speak French
18. Learned to speak Spanish
19. Went for an extended trip to Paris (and explored Europe, too)
20. Bought a new guitar
21. Took guitar lessons and relearned to play
22. Wrote a song on my guitar
23. Produced and starred in my own cabaret show
24. Directed and produced ILLUME
25. Completely simplified and organized every aspect of my life (a la “Coach Yourself…”)
26. Went on a ski trip to the Rockies
27. Trip to NYC
28. Secured production deals with two companies (one is a major studio)
29. Started voice lessons again
30. Relearned TaiChi grand long form
31. Began regular yoga practice
32. Took an RSVP, Atlantis or Zoom Vacation
33. Had a sitting with a professional photographer
34. Gave $15,000 to charity
35. Volunteered at least 10 hours per month
36. Enjoyed monthly spa days
37. Swam with dolphins
38. Went horseback riding
39. Had lunch, dinner or drinks with Oprah Winfrey
40. Returned to an 80% raw food eating plan
41. New Vespa
42. Saved 6 months worth of expenses as a reserve
43. Paid off my credit cards
44. Paid back monies owed to my family
45. Current with my taxes & loved by the IRS
46. Earned $1,000,000 income!!!
47. Went on a yoga/meditation retreat
48. Take an Alaskan cruise
49. Landed an agent – both literary and directing
50. Hired an assistant
51. Hired a housekeeper
52. Hired a personal, raw food chef
53. Purchased a high-end watch
54. Purchased a hi-def television set
55. Raw foods and health supplements are delivered to my home
56. Traveled to the Grand Canyon
57. Traveled to Australia
58. Developed a photography hobby
59. Enjoying a sleek, new NIKON D60 digital camera for aforementioned hobby
60. Finished a triathlon
61. Revamped my wardrobe/style/image & am able to cultivate it authentically
62. Wrote & produced fun webisode series about dating
63. Bought a piano and took piano lessons
64. Acted in a small role in a film
65. Performed in a play or musical here in LA
66. Had coffee, lunch or drinks with Meryl Streep
67. Had a successful pitch meeting at Focus Features which resulted in an option
68. Talked with Steven Spielberg at an industry event
69. Attended a swanky Oscar after-party!
70. Wrote a novel
71. Unloaded my Minneapolis condo
72. Rescued at least two dogs
73. Attended a Hicks/Abraham seminar
74. Dinner with Jerry & Esther Hicks
75. New collection of fancy-schmancy underwear
76. New running shoes
77. New running shoe heel inserts
78. Sweet new rollerblades
79. Attached a name actor to ILLUME (minimum)
80. Was mentored by and established relationships with multiple entertainment industry pros
81. Purchased a brand new professional-grade video camera for vlogging & webisode work
82. Took golf lessons
83. Bought golf clubs and golf accoutrements
84. New backpack/satchel thing for hauling around all m’stuff
85. Became a certified Life Coach
86. Slept under the stars
87. Went to Disneyland
88. Planted a garden and grew my own vegetables
89. Went skinny dipping
90. Kissed that someone special in the rain (see #14)
91. Went for a moonlit walk along the beach
92. Went to a drive-in movie (double-feature would be awesome!)
93. Joined a book club
94. Visited every major film studio lot in Los Angeles
95. Took a Hawaiian vacation
96. Watched the northern lights
97. Have a new home stereo system
98. Bought some sweet BOSE noise-reduction headphones
99. Read every script nominated for “Best Original Screenplay” within the past 10 years
100. Watched every “Best Picture” Oscar winner for the past 30 years
Give this exercise a try. It isn’t as easy as it sounds!
LA365 