101 Things In 1001 Days

I was recently visiting a fellow blogger and was so impressed with her wonderful post of 101 things to do in 1001 days.   I had seen a couple of others doing a similar project, and wow - am I ever inspired!!  I have always had life goals, and have used the website 43 Things to set my "dream goals" and you know what?  Every time I placed a goal in there, I would complete it!  I did this while beginning my very first business as a boutique owner, and I believe the great success I achieved was because of that list. 

Setting goals is so important to getting from where we are to where we truly want to be.  Even if it's an outlandish goal, you will be amazed how life takes a turn toward those smaller steps in achieving it.  Listen to those whispers in life - chances are you may be closer than you think!

Some of my goals might seem a little crazy, but I'm in this for the long haul.  1001 days is actually almost three years - I think I can accomplish about 95% of the goals on this list...  Now these are not written in stone, but rather in sand.  Life takes us on journeys that may change our goals over time, so I can only hope that they will happen OR something better.  What about you?  Do you have a life list?  If not, it's about time you begin listening to your heart, and go after what you want most in life.

101 Things to do in 1001 Days

Start date: June 10, 2010 ~ End date: March 8, 2013

Adventure

• Surf the Ma’alaea Pipeline of Maui
• Zip line in Costa Rica
• Jog more with my dog
• Run in the Race for a Cure Event
• Enter the Mud Run
• Walk down to the beach every morning
• Swim in the ocean at our local hangout
• Learn to paddle board
• Kayak
• Parasail
• Drive a racecar
• Sail on my own
• Swim with wild dolphins
• Bike ride to Santa Barbara
• Hike the Malibu mountains
• Walk up to the Hollywood sign
• Go tent camping on Catalina Island
• Go to Magic Mountain (never been - can you belive that?)
• Join an Equestrian Club
• Join a rowing team

Hobbies

• Exhibit my photography
• Go dancing every Saturday night
• Fly the big kite I bought in Oregon on the beach
• Re-watch the entire show LOST (This used to be an obsession)
• Learn the Constellations
• Use up all of these beautiful Moleskines that I have been collecting
• Finish redecorating my bedroom
• Pare down my makeup collection (Yes – I guess this is a hobby)

Career

• Sell my Dog Boutique (or liquidate) - Getting closer...
• Hire a personal assistant
• Redecorate my office
- Organize or P.A. someone famous and fabulous
• Develop my YouTube Channel
• Help more clients and develop more of a Virtual Online Organizing Business
• Develop more eBooks to offer for free
• Work from my hammock
• Have a “Come as you will be” Party
• Work on the set of a movie or assist in a TV show


Goodies to buy

• A new camera / find a fun, colorful camera strap
• New laptop (possibly an iPad) – Thoughts?
• Girly golf clubs

Glamour

• Walk the red carpet
• Fill up my autograph book
• Find a better hairstyle that I love
• Stick to a weekly in home “Spa” day to pamper myself
• Taylor my wardrobe / Shopping spree (I have dropped a few sizes recently!)
- Work with a stylist to develop my new, fun, glowing style
- Get my colors done

Health

• Complete my boot camp
• Get to my goal weight
• Develop a meal plan that I can duplicate weekly
• Grow a beautiful edible garden
• Have a full pantry of my favorite Nutritional products
• Workout with Chalene Johnson
• Become a pro in Turbo Kick

Community

• Volunteer for the American Cancer Society
• Chair the 2011 ACS Gala Event
• Thank my teachers
• Coordinate my next HS Reunion - Ugh!  (Note to self - don't do this again!)
- Become more spiritual
- Join a church
- Become more involved with church functions
- Study to become a Practitioner

Finances

• Buy our next house (and plan to live there for a long time!)
• List home décor I don’t need any more on eBay
• Expand our retirement fund
• Become financially free

Entertainment

• See Lady Gaga in Concert
• See Katy Perry in Concert
• See Carrie Underwood in Concert
• See Green Day in Concert
• See Michael Buble in Concert
• See Paul McCartney in Concert

Learning

• Get a new Publicist
• Publish my next book
• Take some online classes
• Learn more public speaking skills
• Learn to appreciate tea

People to meet

• Meet my career mentors
• Have dinner with Jack Canfield
• Get a really great group of girlfriends in my new town (very close to reaching this) :)
- Attend a blog conference
• Meet Oprah
•


Friends and Family

• Write an Autobiography of my Father’s life
• Sail my friends out to the Channel Islands
• Have a fabulous party on our balcony
• Attend my High School Reunion (It’s a big one this year)
• Schedule regular weekly game nights with friends
• Schedule regular weekly date nights with husband
• Schedule regular weekly family outings
• Visit my old hometown
• Research my family genealogy
• Send my dad more hand-written letters
• Host a Thanksgiving dinner for local wayward friends (my new family)

Travel

• Weekend in Vegas with my friends
- Spend the week with our friends in Cabo
• Vacation in Tahiti
• Drink champagne in Epernay, France
• Travel to Ireland and research my roots
• Have a spa weekend in Sedona
• Backpack Europe
• Take a cruise to Greece
• Stay in a Villa in Tuscany
• Return to Costa Rica to see friends

So there you go!  Now tell me, are there any items on my list that you might have as well?  I encourage you to post one, and share it with me!!  :)  It also gives us some great content to report on for months to come.

Did you know that hiring a Professional Organizer doesn't have to be expensive? You can get similar benefits by doing it all Virtually! Check out my Virtual Online Organizing packages and let me help you Renew Your Space to free up time, efficiency and clarity.

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Chunking Out Your Time

How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time...

We all can relate to those little "chunks" of time that we are most creative, productive or awake...  if you struggle with getting a large project done, the best way to complete it is to plan it out in chunks.

I love the 15 minute rule - it's a manageable amount of time that you can justify spending to get a need done.  We all want things, but a need is different.  We have a need to clean the house, we need to wash the dishes, we need to prepare the kids for tomorrow and we need to do the laundry.  These aren't things that can usually wait, and so we have to find a way to fit it all into our busy schedules.  By conciously scheduling in 15 minute increments, you can get a fair amount of chores done within an hour our two.

Chunking can also pertain to paper management.  If you are faced with piles of paperwork that you don't know what to do with, labeling a few files with the general name of the item "Utilities" or "Statements", etc. can really cut down your stress level for getting it put away and off your desk.  Archiving files into years; i.e.: "2009" rather than specific dimentions like "Mortgage Documents" or "Taxes" always suffices the archival process and you probably will never need to delve into them for the required amount of time anyway.

I hope this helps with your time management!  Join in my Blog Frog Discussion thred to share other ways you have learned how to "Chunk" out your time.

PS ~ To all of my new friends from the SITS Community ~ Thank you so much for making my big feature day so special!  I can't believe all of the comments and amazing new subscribers - you rock!!  I have amazingly gotten through most of my list to thank you, and will be by soon to visit your blogs & return the favor :)

Did you know that hiring a Professional Organizer doesn't have to be expensive? You can get similar benefits by doing it all Virtually! Check out my Virtual Online Organizing packages and let me help you Renew Your Space to free up time, efficiency and clarity.

 

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Sundays In My City - Come Sail Away

It's been particularly gloomy here in Ventura this year.  Not sure what is up with this weather & it's been stumping our sailing this summer.  This boat has been a work in progress...  we've refinished it after the previous owners let it go.  Makes you feel good to breathe new life into an old hull.  And I got to organize all of its quaint little drawers and compartments :)  I hope to get out to the islands soon to show you a little piece of heaven right off our coast!

I have a family emergency and have to be away for the next week or so.  I'll be on automation until I can return, so I will be around to visit you when I can.  Check out Unknown Mami's blog for more fascinating "Sundays In My City" link-ups!

Do you know somebody who could get organized? I can help ~ even online! Visit my website http://www.renewyourspaces.com/ for a full list of services and details

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When Being Organized Pays Off

There are many times during my Organizing and Purging sessions with a client, when we come across a very important document or paperwork, which unbeknownst to them, turns out to be a very valuable object. 

I recently discovered a Bond that a client had long regarded pitched and forgotten, after sorting through years of worthless paper piles.  This proved to a very happy reunion for her, as you can imagine.

The three most common lost documents I have found:

Warranties
There are times when items such as laptops will fail before their warranty is up.  Some electronics come with a limited warranty, which may cover specific issues.  Keeping these in a place where you will remember them when you need them could save you a ton of money.

Paper Money
It would seem like a given, but always keep your Bonds, Deeds, Titles, Wills and other important documents in a Safety Deposit Box or a home safe.  It is quite common to be sorting through piles of old paperwork and stumble upon something that was forgotten or assumed lost.

Unpaid Bills or Fines
Misplacing a medical bill, payment book or traffic ticket may cost you not only in large fees or late charges, it can also seriously damage your credit.  Creditors and housing, (even apartment and hiring firms) use a critical eye on your credit score these days, so do yourself a service and organize your finances today!

Do you know somebody who could get organized? I can help ~ even online! Visit my website www.renewyourspaces.com for a full list of services and details.

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Sundays In My City - Surf's Up!

It looks like summer has finally arrived, and the views are spectacular!

 

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The Secret Is Out...

Welcome SITS Girls!!

And it's sooo saucy  :) I am a SITS Girl & today is my big day ~ the day my SITSA’s have placed my blog in the spotlight & I am so excited and honored to be the featured blogger today.

My name is Renee W. and I am the founder and Professional Organizer for ReneW Your Space in Ventura and Santa Barbara County.  My blog has accompanied my virtual business, since its launch this winter, but it has been so much more than an information outlet. It has been an amazing connection to people I wouldn’t have otherwise met.

You will find from time to time, my crazy obsession for what's in your purse, and an occasional makeup review (I LOVE makeup!)  But for the most part, I stay on track with free tips and tricks on getting organized every Wednesday (new day), along with my new "Sundays In My City" posts.

Mommy bloggers, business women, comedians… there have been so many fantastic women from around the world, whom I have connected with this year. As a benefit, I have been invited to cross-post, gain blog tips, win a couple giveaways and create a tribe of similar but unique bloggers.

They have not only come to be wonderful resources but great friends as well. This never would have come to be if it weren’t for stumbling upon “the Secret is in the Sauce” (SITS), which is the most fabulous blog networking tool out there! Ladies from all walks of life, come together to support one another through blog recognition. As their tag-line suggests, “The secret to success is support”, and how very true that has become. You never know just how supportive your sisters can be until you expose your true feelings and share your desires on their posts. SITS makes up a community of over 6,000 members, so if you’re not already a part of the sisterhood, you simply MUST check them out and join in all the fun!

ReneW Your Space came to be out of a passion to help people find more time in their busy lives. I have discovered over the years that I had a knack for developing time management and organizational skills. I left the corporate scene in search of something more – to live with purpose. I had become tired of the nine-to-five monotony and decided I wanted to be my own boss. Within a few short months, I had developed a name, a handful of clients and the deep desire to put my ideas in writing. I not only created a few helpful workshops, but also got them published.

So to pick a few of my favorite posts, is like trying to decide on what chocolate I want from the box – I guess I will pluck out a variety of delicious morsels and let you decide:

A mom can move mountains when given the drive. What Can You Get Done In 15 Minutes? might give you some inspiration on tackling the little things.

If you don’t ever want to forget my Birthday again, try Keeping Cards & Important Dates Organized.

Sometimes we all have Body Clutter - It's nothing to be embarrased about, but there's something you can do about it!

To manage your day and gain a little extra “me” time, you might find Taking Advantage of Technology a good read

Taking Control of your Life has some good tips on becoming a Family Manager

Who doesn’t hate receiving a pile of junk in the mail? Here are some good resources on Tackling That Junk Mail.

Thank you so very much for sharing my day with you! I welcome comments and definitely return the favor. And if any of these articles helped you, I would love it if you subscribe! I take requests for occasional “Ask the Organizer” events on my Facebook Group page, so if you have any burning questions, I welcome you to throw them out there!

Tiffany and Heather ~ I really appreciate all you do for the SITS community. Thanks again!

Do you know somebody who could get organized? I can help ~ even online! Visit my website www.renewyourspaces.com for a full list of services and details

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Sundays In My City - Independance

Today marks my one year anniversary of moving to the beautiful City of Ventura.  Every day that I can walk onto my balcony and see the vast ocean, I am in awe of where life has taken me and so very grateful to be doing what I love everyday. 

Since the Fourth of July landed on an awkward day last week, I wasn't able to blog about it until today.  The holiday weekend was a lot of fun ~ starting out in Santa Barbara for Brunch, a beautiful boat ride through the Ventura Keys, the Downtown Main Street Fair and finishing it off with overhead fireworks.  It couldn't have been a more perfect day.  So I would like to introduce to you...

~ Sundays In My City on Independance Day ~

Do you know somebody who could get organized? I can help ~ even online! Visit my website www.renewyourspaces.com for a full list of services and details

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Revising Your Schedule

What kind of life schedule are you keeping? 

Sometimes we all need to listen to our internal clocks and re-think our priorities in a way that lets us live more productive, valuable lives.  Opening up your date book and getting to know your schedule is a good way to maintain a healthy balance in your weekly activities.

Writing things out a month in advance will not only give you a clear picture of your upcoming commitments, it will give you more peace of mind when you are feeling overwhelmed.  Take a look at your pre-scheduled plans and measure them according to importance.  If a certain activity is stressing you out or making you feel over-committed, consider swapping them out for less stressful options.  Or throw in a few pleasurable appointments for yourself after an event such as a pedicure, catching a movie with a friend, or a trip to the gym.

Sometimes when life gets a little monotonous, stepping back to evaluate your schedule and making a few revisions is all you need to even out that balance.

Did you know that hiring a Professional Organizer doesn't have to be expensive? You can get similar benefits by doing it all Virtually! Check out my Virtual Online Organizing packages and let me help you Renew Your Space to free up time, efficiency and clarity.

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Sundays In My City - The Nightlife

This is my first edition of Sundays In My City, a weekly post showcasing the beautiful City of Ventura.  As a Professional Organizer, I am often asked to help families with Life Balance.  One thing that makes a big impact in the lives of busy families, is implementing a Family Outing which is a favorite of mine as well. 

Although most of my Sunday posts will be about the great outdoors, I thought in my first blog, I would share with you the amazing night life in our quant little town.  During the weekends, the streets come alive with locals and visitors, making downtown hop with excitement.  Around every corner, you can hear a sleepy jazz tune, or a rockin' dance club right across the street.

The Watermark on Main is one of our favorites.  The restaurant's Italian Ornate architecture eludes class and prestige, bearing intricate details at every turn, while its' third floor W2O bar & dance club takes on a whole new vibe.  With fish tanks, waterfalls and jellyfish lighting, you feel like you're in a place out of this world.

And every once in a while, somebody special drops by unexpectedly...

Hanging out with Kenny Loggins

Happy 4th Of July!  Next week, I will give a overview on all the wonderful things Ventura has to offer on our Independance Day :)  Tell me - what are you doing today?

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