Creating The List

Over the weekend, I took the time to create a list of things that I wanted to do before turning 40. I began with the assumption that I could contain my list to 25 items. However, my list just kept growing and growing. I expanded to 30, then 40; and now, I'm finally resting on, 50 Things To Do Before Turning 40. My list is pretty much comprised of things that I've often thought about doing but just have never gotten around to. When I sat down to think of this list, I found that there were many facets of my life that I have pondered over and just never done a thing about.

Now, I do realize that in creating this list, the work doesn't just stop here. I need to have SEVERAL plans to get around to actually checking items off. From the looks of things, I'm going to have to have several plans going at once. I've got lots a work ahead of me.

Something else that I realized when making this list. The fact that the list continued to grow lets me know that I have many hopes, dreams, goals and aspirations; some big and some small. So, really and truly, I wasn't able to put everything that I want to do on this list. I still have many other things in life that I plan to TRIUMPH over.

In relations this blog and my below list, I plan to mark off at least 5 things per year. In light of knocking out procrastination, I've got 2 month head start for the 1st year. I'm really excited!!! And have even been able to get started on my completion of the list. The beginning of my have Triumphant Thirties!!!

So, check out my list. It is categorized, but in no particular order.

Spiritual Improvement
1. read the entire bible
2. join, attend, and become active in church, consistently
3. have a consistent personal bible study and prayer

Personal Improvement
4. become a better housekeeper
5. cook at least 3 times a week
6. consistently keep a cleaner car (including trunk)
7. consistently devote time, specifically, for myself (have a me day at least once a month)
8. loose 130 lbs
9. read 120 books (at least 12 books per year)

Family
10. get married
11. have children (3)
12. create a tradition for my grandmother, my mother, and me (this would include any daughters if I have any)
13. establish a better relationship with my brother
14. take my parents on a vacation
15. reach out and attempt to establish a relationship with my paternal relatives
16. create a tradition for me and my god-daughters

Finances
17. pay off credit cards
18. pay off student loans
19. create a savings account with money in it
20. start retirement savings
21. rent out my present condo (become my 1st piece of investment property)
22. buy a 4 bedroom 2 ½ bath house with a pool and jacuzzi

Education
23. get my masters degree
24. write and be paid for at least 5 articles for a newspaper, magazine, or website

Career
25. annually attend some sort of networking event (job fair, corporate/industry conference, etc.)
26. find a career path and job that I enjoy and can remain in until retirement
27. start a travel business
28. conquer my fear of being a teacher

Community Involvement
29. volunteer at a soup kitchen for Thanksgiving or Christmas
30. participate/volunteer in a political campaign
31. get involved with Girl Scouts again

Travel & Travel Related
32. start and maintain a travel blog
33. go camping
34. attend the Super Bowl
35. attend an ODU Football Game
36. travel to 30 interesting places within the state of Texas (or current state of residence)
37. take a day trip via plane (no overnight hotel stay included)
38. travel to all 50 state capitals (the states that I have never visited)
39. get 5 stamps in my passport (from different places)
40. go on a Caribbean Cruise
41. travel to Canada
42. travel to Mexico

Misc.
43. start a blog to document my journey of completing this list
44. learn how to drive a motorcycle
45. take a photography class
46. record a CD
47. have a photo shoot of myself
48. take a sushi making class
49. connect with local ODU alumni (possibly start an ODU alumni chapter in my city)
50. go on a million dollar home, real estate tour


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The Beginning...

This year, I’ll be turning 30- years-old. I’ve been thinking about and dreading this since just before I turned 29. Why dread turning 30, you ask??? Well… I just feel like there’s so much in life that I haven’t accomplished. When I look at my life, I feel like I should be so much further. Yes, I’ve graduated college, purchased my first home, moved over 1,000 miles from everything that’s familiar to me, purchased my second home, etc, but, there’s just so much more to life than that. I want to be grounded in a real career, finally loose weight and keep it off, have a family, have some life adventures, do some things I’ve always thought about by have just taken any action.

In light of all of this, I plan to take the next decade of my life and make some substantial TRIUMPHS. I want to feel a sense of accomplishment when I hit 40. Anything that I’ve ever dreamt of, I want to have at least done all that I can to have achieved those clouds.

Now, I know that setting my mind to this, does not mean that I will always have sunshine and rainbows. I don’t expect perfection. I know there will be some times with dark clouds and storms, but I want to remain optimistic. That’s something that I normally let go of. And well… I have a made up mind that lost of things have to change in my life if I want some positive changes.

So… My first step is to make a list of the many things that I want to achieve throughout the third decade of my life. I’ve heard on many occasions in my life that if you don’t plan, you plan to fail. I don’t think I’ve ever really had a life plan. I’ve just had many thoughts and ideas and I’ve never come up with steps to reach life goals. Well… This time is going to be different!!! It has to be different!!! I’m going to make my list, check if twice, and come up with a plan to get EVERYTHING completed!!!! This all starts now!!! No need to until the actually 30th Birthday!!!! Procrastination is another one of my issues and I’ve got to over come that too!!!

So, today is a brand new day. Biologically, it may not be the beginning of my 30s, but, today is the day that I start living to make my 30sTRIUMPHANT!!!!!