angeliexists
shorthanded
davidasposted
Dan+
Your list
Posted by davidasposted on March 16, 2009
I have heard several times now that people who write down a list of everything they want to accomplish in life are more likely to do so than people who keep their goals inside their mind. This makes sense to me, as the same rule applies for writing papers — the most effective way to communicate everything you want in the final draft is to write them all down at the beginning, rather than try to remember and organize your thoughts internally. I recently began a “list notebook” which contains everything from lists of things I want to purchase for the apartment long-term to what qualities great professors share. Also included is my “life list” which I just wrote this evening. It’s fairly short but (for me) comprehensive:
- Earn a PhD (bottom-to-top education);
- Write a nonfiction book;
- Write a novel;
- Record an audiobook;
- Maintain a garden;
- Master a craft;
- Learn another language;
- Visit the regions of the world (to go: S. America, Mideast, Asia, Oceania, Arctic, Antarctic — visited: N. America, Europe, Africa, Caribbean);
- Appear as a guest expert on the radio;
- Manufacture my own cigar;
- Grow old…
The last entry is partly tongue-in-cheek, of course; I am already old but for physical age. The idea of growing old makes me happy, however, and represents some of the more processual functions that seemed inappropriate for me to include. So… I have revealed to you the discrete events which are of greatest importance to me. I wonder if you’d playing along? Would you mind submitting your list here as a reply?
angeliexists said
I’ll respond by referring you back to your list, removing old age, and I’ll add being an astronaut.
but seriously…mine is going to be large and goofy (in part, because I’m stealing some of your items) I actually have lists like this for the same anecdotal reason you’d mentioned. We have some strong similarities. I have heard that it’ more beneficial to write tangible goals for a 5 year period (then another list for 10, and possibly another for “before I die”). This gives you some accountability. Not you-Dave, as you seem to have no trouble making and accomplishing goals. :)
As you know, I’ve been working on various list and organizational tools. (I’d like Dan to weigh in on some of this when he gets a chance, as he’s taking a related class that he really enjoys.) I’ve tried physical journals and will always have them – but I’m moving the majority of my record keeping to the computer for two main reasons: 1. I’m not as finicky about where I store the info and it can always be moved. In the physical world, I have to get the perfect journal, but if it’s too nice, I’ll try to save it. 2. Filters and search engines.
Anyhow – here goes in no order:
-Earn a PhD (bottom-to-top education);
-Write a nonfiction book;
-Write and illustrate a book of some kind;
-Lower my consumerism and raise my level of creation;
-Learn language/s (not necessarily formal one/s);
-Visit the regions of the world (to go: S. America, Europe, Mideast, Asia, Oceania — visited: N. America, UK/France);
-Earn recognition as a leader in my field;
-Get interviewed by Hi Fructose
-Work with people I love on projects we love;
-Increase self-awareness and better communicate with others;
-Get in shape (maintain a mind-body balance);