“Ten years to live..."
"...That's how far I look into the future".
My friend stood by an open window, looking out toward the water from his Melbourne apartment where three of us had gathered a few days after my birthday.
It was a beautiful starry night and the fragrance of a new beginning was in the air. We were all in a similar position: We had recently entered into our 30s, we had just received our permanent residency in Australia.
Naturally, the conversation turned to the question of life goals—where do we go from here?
He continued:
“My father died in his early 40s, so I am going to set my life goals based on the fact that I also may not be here after that age.”
Salty ocean air swirled around us as his words sunk in. The idea of our mortality confronted us, filled the room. But instead of weighing me down, it had the effect of clarification. It was a much-needed epiphany, a refreshing perspective for three young men who had already lived three decades of life, but still felt the need for something grandiose, something important, something that would make us feel fully lived.
The concept immediately sparked something inside of me — how would I live my life if I only had 10 years left?
I would certainly not waste any time, I would not delay my goals until retirement. My bucket list wouldn't stretch on until I was 80—things would have to get done right away.
Creating a list of hefty goals for the short-term, not the long-term, seemed a little like playing a trick on yourself, but really, there was nothing sneaky about this approach to goal-setting. It suddenly just made a lot of sense. That night, we wrote down some of our life goals and shared them with each other.
As I drove home under starry skies, there was an energy surging through me. I felt filled up with life at the idea of how I was going to approach this huge intersection in my life. I thought, 'Yes, this is the perspective I want to adopt. This is how I want to live my life.'
Creating bucket lists and New Year's resolutions had never been my thing. Tonight, for the first time, I felt the power of making those lists.
Back in my apartment, I rushed to write down more goals that buzzed through my mind. The list grew rapidly until I reached 100 life goals for the next decade of my life.
Ten years, 100 goals — the numbers felt right. Little did I know that this night and this list would change the course of my life...
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This is how my 100 life goals project began.
It has been said that to know oneself is the greatest assignment on earth. That mission is the theme of my new book, The Art of Fully Living: 1 Man. 10 Years. 100 Life Goals - Lessons Learned In Pursuit Of Fulfillment.
I’ll tell the story of my unique journey- the triumphs, challenges, and key lessons.
The Art of Fully Living is your guide to self-discovery. It not only offers empowerment, but also provides a framework for realizing big dreams and living a life abundant in experiences and meaning.
To reserve a specially-priced copy when it launches later this year, make sure you are an email subscriber.
