Well, today is my birthday. And not just any birthday. Today I turn 40. Forty years since my poor mom spent 12 hours in labor only to have the doctors tell her I was breach and they were going to have to cut me out. I came out all black and blue from the event (so if you wanted an excuse for why I am the way I am, there you go...). But I've pinked up a bit since that day.
Since 40 is a bit of a "milestone" for most people, I've decided to make it an important year for me. So I have compiled a list of the 40 things I am aiming to do while I am the big Four-Oh. I've broken them up into 5 categories to keep them somewhat organized. Some are things I have thought about doing for a LONG time and I just need to do them. Some are to revive the creative aspect of myself that has been a bit dormant the past couple of years. Some are simply to help me continue to do the things that I have felt called to do (mostly with my family and in ministry). And some will require an act of God!
By the grace of God, I hope to complete all of these by Feb. 28, 2014, so I've got 365 days to get this list done. And then maybe I'll rest while I'm 41. ;-)
Why am I sharing this publicly? Two reasons:
#1: To hold myself accountable. It's scary to post this for everyone to see, knowing they (you) will naturally judge the list and/or me. But if I don't post it, it will be too easy to skimp, adjust, or avoid achieving these milestones.
#2: To inspire someone (you?) to make the next year of their life a significant one. I don't expect you to do my list, but rather to come up with your own list. And if you do, share it with me! I'd love to know that someone else is setting goals that they otherwise wouldn't aim for.
So this is my list. It's not open to input. It'll stretch me, but it will make 40 a year I'll remember.
And no, when I turn 41, I don't plan to "rest". I'll probably work on a degree!
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40 Things I Plan To Do While 40
Personal
- Read 40 Books
- Develop a Productivity System (GTD or something similar)
- Watch a foreign film
- Watch at least 4 films from the 100 Films list
- Get a tattoo
- Compose a song
- Edit / Update "Take Me Apart" book
- Release a Christmas EP for our financial supporters
- Memorize 40 Bible verses
- Host a party for those who built our house
Marriage/Family
- At least 40 dates with LeAnn (2-hours of 1-on-1 time)
- 10 "dates" with each kid (1-hour of 1-on-1 time with each kid almost each month)
- Read a book series with my 6-year-old son.
- Watch all 6 Star Wars movies with my 9-year-old son.
- Read the LOTR Trilogy with my 9-year-old son.
- Watch the LOTR Trilogy Movies with my 12-year-old daughter.
- Read a book and meet weekly for 8 weeks to discuss the content with my 12-year-old daughter.
- Read a book and meet weekly for 8 weeks to discuss the content with my 15-year-old daughter.
- Spend a weekend at a cabin with the whole family
- Spend a night away with LeAnn
Health/Fitness
- Swim 340,000 yards
- Swim 100 yards in 60 seconds
- Run a mile in 6 minutes
- Complete a triathlon
- Join the fall tennis league
- Weigh 150 lb
Financial
- Save $4000 dollars
Ministry
- Start a church
- Baptize at least one person
- Attend Exponential Conference
- Raise over $200,000 dollars for the new church
- Meet with 40 community leaders
- Find a ministry mentor
- Go on 40 prayer walks
- Start a small group
- Raise up at least one small group leader out of my own small group
- Hire a worship director
- Hire a children's director
- Find a Leadership Resident/Future Church Planter to work alongside me
- Lead the new church to do at least 4 service projects
