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52 Changes

Because 101 in 1001 was such a "success,” and because I like to announce my goals and fail at achieving my goals publicly, I bring you a brand new meme: 52 changes. This little project stems from the fact that I like resolutions, but tend to overshoot with a long list of Herculean tasks that overwhelm me. Instead, I’ll be spreading the resolutions throughout the year, one per week. Some (most) will be small, some will be major—and I know I’m not going to keep all of them up, but I can’t help but think that at least some of these fifty-two changes will stick.

Change One: Maintain a To-Do List

From my early twenties on, I loved me my to-do lists. My typical list was broken down into subcategories (To Read, To Watch, To Write, To Call,) and I kept it handy whenever possible. Some of the items were things I definitely needed a reminder on, others were gimmies—things I had no doubt I’d accomplish within hours of writing them down. Gimmies aside, these stupid little paper lists helped me get a lot done. I’m not gonna kid you, I still put things off whenever possible, but I think back then my total procrastination time was half what it is now. I can’t pinpoint exactly when I stopped with the list maintaining, but I guess it was sometime around the wedding. It was about then that I started relying on Sarah to do all my remembering for me (she loves this, FYI). It’s not the same though. I need a tangible list. And I find that even electronic lists aren’t as effective. There’s just something about a paper to-do list makes me all industrious and junk.

Comments

Beth said…
I'm a big fan to To-Do lists too. And I agree, it's totally better on paper - perhaps because it's right there in front of you. My e-list in my Palm Pilot is totally out of sight, out of mind.

I think eliminating "totally" from my vocab should be the first item on my to-do list.
Anonymous said…
You are tree-killers the lot of you.

I write all of my to-do lists on my penix with a Papermate pen.

I haven't run out of room yet.

1) Stop telling penix jokes so early in the year.
2) Help Dave get rid of dead hobo

Jorge

PS: This post made me laugh my ass off. Way to start the year!

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I should add...

... that two people were instrumental in my joining Twitter. First, Isha . She sent out an article on it when the application was still brand new. (And I remember thinking, "Screw that noise. Like I need more online commitments.) Second was Rebecca . She joined up just a short while ago, claiming she hadn't met a bandwidth she didn't like . (And then she disappeared entirely from the internets .) It looked nice and pretty over there on her sidebar, and then I got a little jealous. The rest: history. And for those unobservant among you ( Jorge ), the Twitter feed is right there on my sidebar, replacing the old Radio 3 player that I loved, but that I think scared the bejezus out of a lot of people. Also, everyone should join Twitter. I'm needing some diversions , people.
Change Two: Drink More Water Such a simple thing, yet something I just can't seem to find the time to do. About the only water I drink in your average day is whatever sweat happens to trickle off my mustache. Hydration (so the smart people tell me) is a good thing. I'm less fatigued when I drink water. I'm less hungry when I drink water. I'm even less grumpy when I drink water. I promise you nothing especially impressive. Eight glass a day ain't gonna happen. I'm shooting for two on average; two trendy, metallic, not gonna bleed Bisphenol A into my system bottles of water. I know were off to a rip-roaring start, what with the list-making and the hydration, but I'll try to get crazier with future changes. Stuff like: go to work drunk more, and buy a pair of leather pants. For now, let me ease into it.