I think I finally understand about myself that I am happiest when I give myself homework. I need concrete goals to work towards, to allow me to feel like I’m accomplishing something meaningful with my time.
In celebration of my 29th birthday, I have compiled a list of 29 things to do this year.
I don’t actually know if I’m going to be able to cross everything off this list, although I made sure to throw some things on here that I know I will certainly accomplish. Certain other tasks will be a quite a big stretch for me.
1. Double (at a minimum) each my seven project-specific savings accounts
2. Refinance my mortgage to a 15 or 20 year mortgage
3. Start a Roth IRA
4. Get a file cabinet and properly organize my important papers
5. Make a donation to my neighborhood green effort
6. Watch at least one episode of Doctor Who for each of the first 7 doctors
7. Watch Battlestar Galactica
8. Participate in the Doctor Who Fan Orchestra (DONE!)
9. Get a storm door for my front door
10. Acquire a new piece of artwork for my home
11. Plant something new in my yard
12. Get a new, pretty planter for my front porch (But my sister gets the credit for this one!)
13. Build something (perhaps a planter for my front porch?!)
14. Put together an emergency kit for my car
15. Recycle the giant box of VHS tapes sitting in my dining room
16. Read The Pale King
17. Read a total of 75 books
18. Read at least 2 of my unread history books
19. Write the first draft of my next novel
20. Walk Benson a total of at least 550 miles
21. Take Benson to obedience classes at the Humane Society
22. Save at least $500 to for Benson’s care
23. Don’t let my weight go above ### pounds (in other words, maintain 2011’s successful fitness initiative)
24. Take accounting class
25. Talk to three CPAs about their field
26. Decide whether I want to pursue accounting as a career, and then act accordingly
27. Send friends a birthday card or at least SOME KIND of piece of mail, at least once
28. Make at least one trip to visit out of town friends
29. Make macarons
It does feel pretty good that I’ve already been able to mark one item off the list–although I do plan on participating in the Doctor Who Fan Orchestra again this year!
I’ve thought about this list for several weeks, and I can’t help but feel like there are important things that are probably missing that I should also have on here. But, they haven’t come to me yet. I suppose I can always add them onto my list of 30 things to do while I’m 30, next year.
Present History 