101 FAQs

I’ve set this page up to help people who are considering starting their own list.

The following are the most Frequently Asked Questions I’ve been contacted with since I began my list:

What is 101 in 1001?
Why do it?
How do I start?
Do I need to have a complete list to start?
Should I categorize? What should my layout look like?
How long is 1001 days?
How do I find out my end date?
Where can I find task ideas for my list?
Can I send you a copy of my list to check through before I publish it?
Should I give myself a financial reward for completing each task?
Is changing a task on my list cheating?
Should I write an update?
Can I start a new list when I’m finished?
Who are the 101ers?
How do the 101ers support each other?
Do I need to support everyone on the 101ers blogroll?
What’s the advantage of being on the 101ers blogroll?
Can I also use the blogroll?
How do I get onto the 101er blogroll?
Should I let you know when I begin?
Can I use the badge?
Should I link back to you?
Does it matter that I’m starting much later than the other 101ers?
I’m already doing my own list, can I join the 101ers?
What about the linky?
How do I join you on Twitter?
Further questions:

What is 101 in 1001?

It’s a challenge (also known as the Day Zero Project) whereby an individual sets him/herself 101 tasks to be completed in 1001 days.

Why do it?

It enables you to focus on the activities you really want to do for yourself or for your family and actually make time to fulfill them.

How do I start?

You need a list of 101 tasks to be completed in 1001 days. The tasks are your tasks, you decide what they are. There are no hard and fast rules. You work it around your wishes and desires. Your time and circumstances. Your list can be complete or a work in progress.
Then you need a start date and off you go.

Do I need to have a complete list to start?

No. You can even set this as your first task. It’s not actually so easy finding 101 tasks and as the whole challenge takes almost three years, it can be beneficial to add new challenges as life inevitably changes and new opportunities/needs/ideas arise.

Should I categorize? What should my layout look like?

Your list is very personal to you and entirely your own creation so you can lay it out however you like. You can write it all out as one complete list or you can format it with your own choice of categories. It is a good idea though, to have it as a separate page on your blog rather than as a post.

How long is 1001 days?

It’s 143 weeks or 33 months.

How do I find out my end date?

You can upload your list to the Day Zero Project homepage. It will work out your end date and also do a continual countdown for you. I used pseudo names on the site. Or you can find a countdown clock to add to your page here.

Where can I find task ideas for my list?

It’s not easy thinking up 101 tasks!! The Day Zero Project homepage is full of great ideas. Also feel free to ‘copy’ ideas from myself or any of the other 101ers on my 101ers blogroll. There are also a few ideas on my Take Part page.

Can I send you a copy of my list to check through before I publish it?

Yes you can. No problem. Contact me through my contact me form.

Should I give myself a financial reward for completing each task?

I put in a financial reward challenge (as have some others) so that, should I be unable to complete the list, I will still have a monetary bonus at the end, for all the things I did achieve.

Is changing a task on my list cheating?

No. Your list should enhance your life. It should be simultaneously doable and challenging. Flexibility is the key. Realistically, life can change dramatically in a very short space of time and thus your list needs to be adaptable. Plus, as you’ve probably never set yourself such a goal, it’s hard to judge what you can actually achieve. The task you’ve just set yourself could be too challenging or not challenging enough.

Should I write an update?

Updates are optional. They are both motivational and practical. You and your supporters can really see where you’re at. If you decide to write an update you can do so weekly/monthly/bimonthly or every time you’ve completed a great task.
Doing regular updates also gives you another topic to blog about.
I sometimes include a link to other 101ers updates in my own updates, so please contact me when you’ve posted one.

Can I start a new list when I’m finished?

Yes! And you can carry over any uncompleted tasks you still wish to do from your current list.

Who are the 101ers?

When I first decided to start my own 101 list, I looked around the web at other bloggers lists, but sadly discovered that many had given up between a third and halfway through their challenge. I’m stubborn, so for me quitting was never an option, I decided the best way forward would be to start the challenge with another blogger so we could turn to each other for support.
I asked Tilly Bud to join me and we’ve been encouraging other bloggers to join us ever since. In fact, one of my challenges is to find 101 101ers!!

How do the 101ers support each other?

As a group we offer each other support in various forms, such as: emailing, commenting on each other’s progress, referring to each other’s blogs and encouraging our readers to check out how other 101ers are doing, we have our own Twitter list, we also have a linky, we have our own badge unifying us as a group which we display on our page and we have a blogroll with a direct link to other 101ers pages.
The 101ers group is actively growing so my suggestion would be to search out and support other 101ers who most interest you.

All support is voluntary, you can choose which options you want to take part in or not.

Do I need to support everyone on the 101ers blogroll?

No. My suggestion would be: search out and support other 101ers who most interest you.

What’s the advantage of being on the 101ers blogroll?

Potential 101ers will check out your list for inspiration, and current 101ers may decide that you are one of the 101ers they choose to support.

Can I also use the blogroll?

Yes! You can pick any 101er you like (all of them if you so choose) and put them on your own 101 blogroll. I update my blogroll regularly, so please feel free to return and update yours or just check out and support new 101ers.

How do I get onto the 101er blogroll?

Contact me in my contact me form once you have your list and I will add you.

Should I let you know when I begin?

That would be great. I’ll include a link to your page in my next update informing my readers and the other 101ers and I’ll add you to the blogroll.

Can I use the badge?

Yes! You can find it here. Please let me know when you join us and I’ll add you to the 101ers blogroll and mention you in my next update.

Should I link back to you?

It would be great if you did as when your readers see you taking part in the challenge, they may also want to take part and one of my challenges is to find/start up 101 101ers.

Does it matter that I’m starting much later than the other 101ers?

No. Each 101er has their own start and finish date. Plus some are enjoying the challenge so much, they are thinking of starting a new list once they are finished.

I’m already doing my own list, can I join the 101ers?

Yes! You’re very welcome. Please contact me through my contact me form and I’ll add you to the 101ers blogroll and mention you in my next update.

What about the linky?

You can link up here.

How do I join you on Twitter?

Contact me on Twitter. My Twitter name is @pigsdontswim – I’ll then add you to the Twitter list, which you can also follow if you wish. Be sure to notify me on Twitter when you’ve written an update or completed a challenge and I can retweet it for you.