Many years ago, a coach gave me an assignment that altered the course of my life. I’d like to share it with you, in hopes it might have a similar impact on the way you choose to live.
Write down a list of 50 – 100 things you’d like to do before you die.
My original list contained 91 items, a list of tasks ranging from intangibles to concrete — simple pleasures of learning how to tie a tie, to the (at the time) seemingly lofty goals of being in a movie, finishing a marathon, and being comfortable in my own skin.
I’ve revisited this list several times throughout the years. It’s acted as a guidepost for finding my passion and sorting out impulse from destiny. Sometimes it’s difficult to decide whether life choices are due to circumstance or something more intentional. One of my biggest fears is missing the boat, never finding true happiness and failing to follow my bliss. This list helps. It’s been an anchor.
Not to mention, it’s difficult to forge ahead if you don’t have a direction. I didn’t always know this, finding it a tremendous challenge to commit to any one thing. But believe it or not, there’s plenty of time to get to it all. And if you focus your efforts, you’re much more likely to get it done.
I’ve sat here and debated whether sharing this list is the right thing, but I have chosen to do so with the belief that if it inspires at least one person to chase after their dreams, it’s well worth a very vulnerable moment.
You’ll notice some items are outdated. Some, I look at now and have no desire to do. Others aren’t even that realistic. The point is to allow yourself to play, to dream, to explore. If you don’t “go there” in your mind, why would you any way else? Once it’s on paper, you can always go back and assess if it’s probable and something you’d really like to direct your energies towards.
Give yourself a block of time: Mark it out on your calendar this weekend and set aside one hour to just write. Don’t pause to question, just go. You might surprise yourself. I’d love to hear how it goes.
The point is, you’re never “too old” to start dreaming again.
What’s getting in the way of your dream chasing?
Note: this list was written in 2004. The “X” indicates completion. Italicized items are in process…
- Write/publish/sell a book
- Get published in a magazine
- Display work in an art gallery X
- Do a triathlon X
- Backpack South America X
- Inspire/help a “troubled teen” X
- Be a counselor X
- Get my masters X (possible Ph.D.?)
- Volunteer again in a different country X
- Learn how to cook well X
- Go back to New Zealand
- Get better at guitar
- Play basketball again X
- Play soccer again X
- Go to Canada X
- Go to Seattle X
- See Egypt
- See Tibet
- Fall in love again X
- Own a house with a green garden, beautiful flowers
- Learn to salsa dance X
- Be in a movie X
- Own a small shop (gift/crafty type? or coffee?)
- Improve 1/2 marathon time
- Buy a piano
- Study in a Buddhist center (retreat? school? etc.)
- Learn moderation and balance X
- Learn a language – French or Italian
- Have a flower garden
- Grown own veggies X
- Hike the Grand Canyon
- Paragliding X
- Windsurf
- Surf X
- Go to Maine/Boston during fall X
- Taj Mahal
- See a penguin in the wild X
- Learn how to juggle
- Go sailing X
- Hot air balloon! X
- Swim with dolphins
- Marry – a long time from now!
- Scuba dive
- Have my own art room/studio
- Camp in Yellowstone X
- Be a bridesmaid for [name protected]‘s wedding
- Own a scooter/motorcycle/moped
- Drive a convertible, windows down, music up
- Spain
- Scandinavia X
- Southern Italy
- Be a bartender X
- Meet Johnny Depp for coffee
- Visit Westminister Abbey
- Tour Switzerland on a bike
- Learn how to tie a tie X
- Live/work abroad
- Cruise to Alaska
- Visit Cuba with a Spanish teacher
- See Rob Thomas in concert
- See Jonny Lang in concert X
- Own another husky
- Learn how to ski better X
- Become less stubborn, prideful, more patient X
- Get rid of “perfectionist” X
- Walk through Big Sequoias
- Make a candle and give it to someone X
- Encourage someone to “be better” X
- Take a friend to a Day at the Spa X
- Be comfortable in my skin X
- Work on set/backstage X
- Family – one day!
- Learn to say “no” X
- Become friends with a Tai Chi instructor
- Host a very successful party X
- Go on a date in NYC X
- Be a travel writer/photographer X
- Take care of myself (don’t let self go)
- Get faster, fitter, leaner, healthier
- Improve diet X
- Cliff dive X
- Camp in Outback
- Go on a rafting/canoe trip X
- Live by the sea
- African safari X
- Run on the Great Wall
- Find my purpose, align with passions X
- Marathon X
- Participate in a drum circle
- Visit a reservation
- Milk a cow X
