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101 Things To Do Before I Go

posted 24th July 2009    Written by: Molly Mahar    CATEGORY: All Posts, Events, Inspiration, Molly

ParadeI’ve had a Life List since high school.  It gets added to, deleted from & tweaked every year- but it wasn’t until I read the book Creating Your Best Life: The Ultimate Life List Guide that I understood why I worshiped my list so much.

“Edwin Locke, the codeveloper of goal-setting theory, studied the traits of what he called “prime movers”… people who had “moved the world” with their passion, vision, energy and perseverance.  Over many years, Locke refined his list of “prime mover” traits down to the essential seven, two of which are vision and action.  Becuase of their abundant vision and action, the men and women Locke profiled were all renowned goal setters…”

Yes!  Vision.  Action.  I’m a woman with a purpose!  Even if that purpose includes having a color coordinated closet with a mini chandelier in it!

There a million other fascinating connections between success, happiness & life lists (goal setting) discussed in the book.  If you’ve been reading for any length of time, you know I’m slightly obsessed with the science behind happiness and this book is one of my new favorites. Let me just share a one last excerpt from authors Caroline Adams Miller and Dr. Michael B. Frisch:

“We see happiness in a new and exciting way: as a character strength that, if persistently cultivated, will give you greater zest, persistence, and energy for accomplishing your goals.  Our program doesn’t take a get-happier-at-all-costs and check-goals-off-your-life-list-now approach that glosses over what research tells us about optimal well-being, however.  We believe that positive and negative affect are both necessary in one’s life, and that both are important barometers that play a role in optimal well-being.  Following our life list approach will result in a richer and deeper level of happiness- an elan vital that will give you not only enthusiasm for life, but also a deep sense of excitement that will allow you to have more success with your goals than you ever thought possible.”

When I set out to write this post, inspired by Andrea’s post from Wednesday, I wanted to share some items from my List as well as some inspirational lists from other women.  As luck would have it — I found a post called What’s on Your List? from one of my tribe members, Carrie at Girl and Coconut, linking to some fabulous life lists out there! Thanks Carrie for reading my mind in advance.

So that leaves us with my List…

After re-reading it about a month ago, I was slightly chagrined with some of my choices.  Did I really want to own a designer gown?  Did I really need to win a volunteer award? (Isn’t volunteering a reward in and of itself?) Did I honestly want to meet James Franco? What exactly was I trying to prove?  And to whom?

I’ve spent the last month or so really thinking hard about how one would go about creating a meaningful list– one that would inspire you to live an extraordinary life– instead of one that just listed adrenaline rushes, cools things to own, and awards that prove something to someone else. With the help of “the book” and a lot of trial and error-  I’m getting closer!  My List is starting to reflect a life that I’m ridiculously excited about, one that I’m proud of.

I’m not going to share my entire List here (though I will after I capture the list in gorgeous vision board or memory book at the event on August 29th) but here are some highlights!

15 of my 101 Things To Do Before I Go

Win a gold medal (Junior Olympics Pole Vaulting 1996 or some such)

Have a piece of writing published

Travel around the world (made a full loop from Central America to Europe to South Africa to Southeast Asia and then home)

Complete a masters in positive psychology

Ride naked in the Fremont Parade (Seattle tradition- I was a ravishing, fully painted Jungle Princess in 2008)

Attend Burning Man

Start investing (Timing was wrong, but that’s life…)

Plant and nurture a herb garden

Go dog sledding in Alaska

Sit on a board for the Arts

Host a Oktoberfest Party complete with picnic tables, steins & sauerkraut

Speak conversational Spanish

Spent 3 months alone in Nature

Meet James Franco (He was allowed to stay on the List after much deep thought)

Learn to play pop songs on the piano

Event Alert!

If you are in Seattle and you don’t have a Life List that you love or it isn’t in an inspiring format- I’m throwing an event to help you make it happen!  It will be a relaxed partyish atmosphere as we brainstorm, sip mimosas, cut, glue, color, laugh & share some life goals.

I’m trying to make it as easy as possible for you to leave with an Life List that thrills you to the bone. One that you can’t wait to hang up & tackle.  One that gives you joy, a sense of accomplishment & motivation to create brilliance in your life.

Rock and roll.  Oh, and boys are invited too!

More info & Registration:  101 Things To Do Before You Go: Creating a Powerful, Meaningful, Inspiring Life List

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30 Things To Do Before I’m 30

posted 22nd July 2009    Written by: Andrea    CATEGORY: All Posts, Andrea, Inspiration, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 1

[New to the site? Welcome 20something adventure seeker! Don't leave without registering on the right to receive our free eBook- The Gutsy Girls Guide to Success! It will inspire you to create an incredible Life List!

Andrea is a Guest Blogger for Stratejoy- a training and coaching company that helps women conquer their Quarterlife Crisis and Live Life Well!  Molly Hoyne, the founder of Stratejoy, also has her life list posted as well as her 20 Things To Do in 2010.]

Andrea’s Post

While driving to and from Bonnaroo, the most amazing music, art and camping experience of my life, I decided to make a list of 30 things to do before I am 30 years old. I’m calling it my 30 Before 30.

I just turned 25, so that gives me 5 years to complete all of my goals. A few of my friends also made lists and we are going to keep in touch and track which items we accomplish over the next few years.

ANDREA’S 30 BEFORE 30

  1. Go on a hot air balloon ride
  2. Learn how to play the guitar (at least one song)
  3. Visit Australia
  4. Visit London
  5. Get married (married?!… this one is VERY questionable)
  6. Buy a new car (mine is 13 years old. Her name is Mabel)
  7. Cut my hair (I’ve always had long hair)
  8. Start my own business or non-profit
  9. Backpack through Europe
  10. Continue to dance
  11. Drive cross-country
  12. Watch the sunrise and sunset from the same day on 2 different coasts of the USA
  13. Become a published Writer
  14. Take my dad to see the Grand Canyon
  15. Take my mom to see the Louve in Paris
  16. Teach a college course
  17. Visit Poland and see where my great grandparents grew up
  18. Read the top ten classic novels
  19. Watch as many Oscar award winning films as possible
  20. Move (that could be out of DC or inside of DC)
  21. Learn how to calm down
  22. Do something with my travel photos. (Currently they live in cyberspace)
  23. Start an investment account
  24. Ride a horse
  25. Volunteer for a cause that matters to me
  26. Submit an entry to Postsecret
  27. Participate in Flash Mob

[Flash Mob: is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual action for a brief time, then quickly disperse. The term flash mob is generally applied only to gatherings organized via social media or viral emails.]

28. ?
29. ?
30. ?

I know my list isn’t totally complete yet but, I hoping some of you may be able to help me.  What would be on your list? Share with me your 30 Before 30 lists whether its complete or incomplete like mine. Maybe we can all get some good ideas from each other!

photo credit: jesse.millan

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