Interesting thread. This should inspire some of you. Last year, as a new year's resolution/goal kind of thing, I decided that by the end of 2005 I wanted to be able to do a full set (defined by me as 8) of unassisted pullups and a full set of dips. I mentioned this to a trainer and he asked how many I could do at that time and I didn't know. I then tried each (I usually did both exercises with assistance) and I was able to do 1 (and a half) pullups and I was surprised that I could already to 8 dips (that was pretty cool). Anyhow, I decided to focus on pullups for the year.
Anyhow, I would lead off every back workout with as many pullups as I can do unassisted, followed by two sets of assisted pullups. In May I was delighted to be up to 4 pullups when my gym had it's annual 'competition'. I was definitely getting sick up of pullups by the summer, but then one of my coworkers expressed his doubt that I'd be able to do it. Well, he put his money where is mouth is and bet me lunch that I couldn't do it. To make a long story short, on December 29 my coworker witnessed me complete 8 pullups. I am pretty proud of that.
I share this not only to brag, but to tell you that you can do it too. I was really inspired that I could make those kinds of gains in one year. I measured my progress by half-pullups, and each time I would try to push myself just a little further. I swear that every time I would go to start I would have butterflies and I would have that feeling that I wouldn't be able to do it. But each time my nose or chin would touch the bar I would think "Oh my gosh, I can't believe I just did that. I couldn't possibly do another one." But then I would. The day I did 8, I remember thinking on each one "I can't do another one" but then I would.
I haven't really challenged myself on standard pushups, but I did do 25 once last year. This year's gym 'competition' had us doing knee pushups, and honestly, they were wimpy b/c they weren't all the way down (just to a 90 degree angle for your arms). I was able to do 130 of those before collapsing. I may have to try to test myself on toe pushups next week.
FWIW, this year's unofficial goal is to do a one-armed pushup. I have failed miserably at all attempts on this front and don't really know how to train for this. Right now I literally fall on my face trying. It is pretty funny. I have learned that the best place to smash your face is into a mattress.