List 25: Uber List for 2013

An uber list is not just resolutions although some of the items may resemble New Years promises. An uber list is not a bucket list of outrageous thrills. An uber list is a mix of chores, goals and  fun activities most of which are quite common but that for the lister are often mentioned after the words “I/we should ______.” Then days, weeks, and months pass without that thing getting done. The items can be as small as finally having dinner at that new restaurant you’ve been meaning to try to ambitious goals like running a marathon. Putting them on a list creates accountability.

Things on an uber list should be measurable, hence why many of the items have specific quantities assigned. They should also be things within the lister’s control. For example, “get a job” is just wishful thinking but “apply to at least x jobs per week” is an achievable goal.

Normally my list is about 20 items not 40, but I didn’t make a list in 2012, which let me see what a difference a list can make. The year ended with a lot of things undone. I put those on this year’s list. Also, to stretch the list I cheated and included a few things I probably would have done anyway but that seem at risk for being skipped due to procrastination and laziness. Below is my list in rough order of increasing difficulty.

1. Go to the dentist.
2. Visit Adler Planetarium.
3. Get a pedicure.
4. Make refrigerator oatmeal.
5. Go to Lincoln Park Zoo at least 3 times.
6. Use our Museum of Science and Industry membership at least 3 times.
7. Let the kids play in Crown Fountain at least once.
8. Visit Oz Park.
9. Organize the linen closet.
10. Make a babysitter reference guide (for all the basic info I have to write down every time we have a babysitter).
11. Get my watch batteries replaced.
12. Refill the first aid/emergency kits.
13. See a show at a theatre I’ve never been to before.
14. Make a binder of key family information.
15. Get family photos taken before October.
16. Organize/archive/purge kids’ artwork.
17. Go berry picking.
18. Take the Koval Distillery tour.
19. Take the kids on the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.
20. Use our Field Museum membership at least 3 times.
21. Use our Shedd Aquarium membership at least 3 times.
22. Go to the beach at least 2 times.
23. Go to Christkindlmarket.
24. Get 3 pairs of shoes repaired.
25. Repair or get rid of pants and skirts that need to be hemmed.
26. Take the kids on a water taxi.
27. Take the kids sledding.
28. Try some molecular gastronomy techniques. (Luckily I got this for Christmas.)
29. Use our WBEZ member card at least 4 times.
30. Update my LinkedIn profile.
31. Stop using the girl’s room/closet for storage.
32. Submit plays to at least 10 theatres or festivals.
33. Lose 15 pounds.
34. Hang or store our art and framed photographs.
35. Go to yoga at least 15 times.
36. Read at least 4 books.
37. Run a 5K.
38. Take a trip other than to visit family.
39. Organize our basement.
40. Organize our home office.

Do you have any resolutions or goals for the year? If you are resolving to keep a better record of your life I recommend you read how to keep a one line a day journal.