A few weeks ago (60 for 60) I posted a list of activities that I intended on completing between now and my 60th birthday in May 2021. It was free ranging list and included little things like making a souffle right up to travelling to Scotland or Iceland.
I have been transferring the items to index cards which I intend to move from the to do to the done pile as they get done. I also thought it might be a good idea to work out a rough schedule of when I would do the activity so I could make efficient use of time and money. For instance, I want to see an active volcano and go to Iceland. It would be sensible to see a volcano in Iceland.
It was here at this point, that I saw the flaws in my list. I knew the list was ambitious. I knew it would be expensive. As I tried to fit things loosely into a calendar, I simply ran out of time. Let’s not even talk about how much I would have to spend! Of course, if I do end up winning the lottery (see this post) it will be fine! I can quit the day job and concentrate on the list full time. Unfortunately, though, I do have to work full time to pay for my fun.
I need to regig, remix and reassess the list. I need more small items that I can do without having to go anywhere or spend a lot on while still giving me a sense of accomplishment. I could replace all the travel with writing, but that takes time too. I want to succeed. I don’t want to set myself up for failure before I start by having unrealistic expectations and at the same time I don’t want to make it too easy either.
So here is the new list. The changes are subtle but they will make a difference.
- Pay off extra on my current mortgage.
- Sell some of my writing
- Make a profit through Old Chook Enterprises
- Sell some of my photos
- Hit at least 1000 followers on WordPress (help me out here guys!!)
- Hit at least 500 followers on Instagram (help needed here too!!) @robynlang3
- Go to the UK, more specifically, Scotland
- Go on a another cruise (6 – 10 days)
- Make a 15-minute documentary that gets some success (define success!)
- Finish the Buttons story (a sci-fi themed novella I am writing. Four out of 9 chapters done)
- Write a screenplay
- Finish the Anca story (another short story/novel idea.)
- Finish the family history story about Sarah Anne Usher
- Publish a blog post every week
- Not to drink alone.
- Do a woodworking course
- Spend the weekend in Melbourne for my birthday again (I went in 2013)
- Use frequent flyer points to pay for an entire international flight.
- Photograph the Milky Way
- Will do the southernmost extremity of the Australian mainland when I do a Melbourne road trip for my birthday
- Paint the interior of my home
- Get new carpet/floor covering
- Re-read and do the steps in the Side Hustle Book.
- Enter works into a photography exhibition – the Scarborough Art Show (October 2019)
- Go six months without added sugar – I’ve started this one!
- Road trip to Broken Hill, NSW
- Fly in a hot air balloon in Australia
- Write up the interview I did with Tracey and Sue about the Bibbulmun Track
- Visit at least 15 more lighthouses in Australia. (I like lighthouses and want to see as many Australian ones as I can – there are more than 2000 so it might be a stretch to see them all!) There are 15 close to home (within 300 km) that I haven’t seen yet so this should be do-able.
- “Day in the life” photography series for at least 4 people – follow 4 people in different occupations and photograph their day
- Do an “extraordinary man” photographic series. An environmental portrait project.
- Make a soufflé
- Donate blood for the first time
- Do a big >2500 piece jigsaw puzzle
- Sell most my 2019 calendars (help me out here too!!)
- Publish a 2020 calendar
- Do another year of no new things in 2020.
- Stop dying my hair and embrace the grey!
- Finish a short course in food photography – Daylesford Victoria
- Publish a cookbook of family favourites with my own photography
- Do a short online graphics design course
- Do some more light painting
- Do an interview on radio/TV about something to do with Old Chook Enterprises
- Modify the design and remake the running belt you made. A lycra belt to wear while running that holds my phone/keys and tissues etc. I have already made one but it needs some modifications.
- Enter at least 10 writing competitions
- Enter at least 10 photography competitions
- Go on a writing retreat in 2019 (perhaps as a cruise?)
- Do another cheese making course
- Design some fabric to make some cushions for my home and to sell at markets
- Have a 60th birthday celebration
- Cut my time for 10km run to less than 56 minutes
- Learn how to use eyeliner properly
- Hold a market stall at least twice
- Learn how to swim properly by getting swimming lessons.
- Read at least 4 novels a year form the list of “good books”
- Maintain weight at less than 60kg.
- Learn how to do boxing style rope jumping and sustain for at least 5 minutes.
Already done!
- Buy a dymo labeller
- Set up a saving fund for my grandson
- Set up a worm farm
- Pitch an article to a real magazine/publication (see point 49)
- Create a passwords spreadsheet
- Get a new phone
- Make a will
Whats gone?
- Learn enough Italian to have a short conversation
- Enter some photos in the Royal Easter Show (a big fair in Sydney, Australia)
- Try being an AirBnB host
- Write a children’s picture book
- See an active volcano (I could do this in Iceland)
- Go to Broome, Western Australia.
- Get my first paid article published. I had this twice.
- Tidy my garage -hmmm not really a life goal.
- Get a new job – to get everything done I think I need stability in my day job!
- Go on a really long walk like the Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia
- Meet someone very famous.
Wish me luck! I will publish updates at 6 monthly intervals. I’d love to hear what you would have in your list. Please add your ideas in the comments below.
