As promised, here is what I plan to do before I die. This list is now a permanent addition to Raptitude.com, and the most up-to-date version can be found by clicking “The List” tab on the top of any page.
If you want to make your own list, here is the comprehensive guide to making one that you will honor.
A few notes:
- You’ll notice my list is very travel-heavy. One of my major goals in life is to achieve a location-independent income, which will allow me to move around the globe without the constraint of limited vacation days. Without the intention to live this kind of lifestyle, my list would not be realistic to me and I’d probably soon forget about it.
- I have tried to eliminate redundancies, but some are inevitable. I want to see the Louvre and tour Paris, but it is unlikely I’ll do one and not the other. Still, both are important and I don’t want to leave either off my list.
- The list is not complete. I cannot be sure I’ve thought of everything that deserves to be on it, but this is a pretty good start.
Here goes.
[NOTE: This is my list as it was on June 6 2014. The most current version of the list is always here.]
If you want to make your own list, here is the comprehensive guide to making one that you will stick to.
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Cities to tour
To tour a city means to spend at least a few days there exploring.
Istanbul
Jerusalem
Montreal – DONE but I will be back
Toronto
Ottawa
Vancouver
Chicago
Paris
Hong Kong
New York – DONE – 2/17/2012 – I spent most of four weeks here and had the time of my life. I heart NY.
London
Rome
Tokyo
Barcelona
Washington, D.C.
San Francisco
Seattle
Long-term trips to take
Being away for months gives you an entirely different experience than being away for a week or two. You start to normalize to the new place and you start to lose the sense of being “away.” I like that. These trips could last anywhere from a month to a year.
Tour Eastern Canada — Visit Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland
Take a road trip through many of the western US national Parks, including Yellowstone, Death Valley, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Crater Lake and Glacier National Park
Take a Rocky Mountain snowboarding tour, spending a whole winter visiting different ski resorts in the Canadian and American West
Spend 4-12 months in a cosmopolitan city working on a writing project (NYC, Montreal, Seattle, etc.)
Spend 3-6 months living in a beach town where I can surf several times a week.
Do a homestay in a French city, to learn French in an immersive environment (either in Quebec or France)
Countries/regions to explore
To “explore” means to spend at least a few weeks traveling overland in these areas.
Thailand – DONE – 11/20/09 – Had a blast, will be back one day.
New Zealand – DONE – Spent six months exploring this wonderful country from Nov ’09 to May ’10. I visited so many beautiful places and am determined to return one day.
France
England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales
Nepal and India
Scandinavia
Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia
Skills and knowledge
Learn French to fluency
Learn conversational Spanish
Understand the implications of Plato’s Cave
Learn photography – DONE – 1/2012 – I am proficient with the operation of a DSLR camera, the basics of composition and exposure. I can take pictures that make people go wow. There is an endless amount to learn and I want to learn more, but I’ve achieved enough to impress myself, which is all I ever wanted.
Learn my wine basics
Learn to boost a car without worrying I might zap myself – DONE – 12/13/10
Learn to surf – DONE – Took a four-day surf camp in May 2010. Learned to stand up and surf right away, and now I am in love with surfing. I want to surf all over the world.
Learn first aid and CPR – DONE – 5/12/11 – This had been on my conscience for a long time. I am now certified in level C first aid and CPR.
Learn to dance comfortably – DONE – 2012 – I do dance now — I was afraid to for years. I’m not good at it but I do have fun and that’s enough.
Learn to throw a tight spiral with a football
Learn to swim properly – after all these years I must say I really don’t know what I’m doing
Master a workflow system, like GTD
Learn to swing a golf club properly
Develop a nice, consistent signature (I’m 33 and haven’t done this yet)
Achievements
Become self-employed – DONE – 10/14/13
Become financially independent – This means I am living off the returns of my assets and do not have to work.
Play guitar in a working band
Own a house
Speak in front of a large audience (500+)
Become debt-free – DONE
Try a vegan diet for 30 days – DONE – 3/24/11 – This became Experiment No. 10 and it changed my dietary habits forever.
Become a millionaire
Have my own website – DONE – 3/15/09
Own a suit I feel great in
Make my living doing work I love – PROGRESS – Paying some bills this way, working towards all bills.
Get into physical shape I would describe as “outstanding”
Go 21 without complaining once (as per A Complaint Free World) – DONE – 4/3/10 – Had to restart a few times, but I made it. I learned a lot — the final report is here.
Achieve a “location independent” full-time income – PROGRESS
Get my Gmail inbox to zero – DONE – 4/16/10 – This is actually super easy, because of Gmail’s brilliant “Archive” function. I just selected them all and archived them. You should do it.
Write my will – PROGRESS
Books/films to read/see
NOTE: I don’t believe in finishing books I’m not enjoying. So if I end up not liking it and quitting, it’s still “done” in my mind. Of course I hope I like them all.
Schindler’s List – DONE – 9/13/09
Dr. Strangelove (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb) – DONE – 3/19/13 – I appreciate the political significance of this film but I found it really boring after the beginning. The same joke went on for hours. I wanted to like it, and I’m not saying it wasn’t good. But I didn’t like it. Felt the same way about Catch-22 when I read it. Everyone else seemed to really like both, and they are certainly classics.
Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad – DONE – 11/16/09 – Finished it on the beach in Ko Phi Phi. Fantastic book, everyone who loves the English language should read it.
On the Road – Jack Kerouac
The Stranger – Albert Camus
Walden – Henry David Thoreau
Vagabonding – Rolf Potts DONE – 7/2011
Roughing It – Mark Twain- DONE – 12/2011
Dune – Frank Hebert
Beyond Good and Evil – Friedrich Nietzsche
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – Robert Pirsig – DONE – 3/19/13 – Did not finish. I expected a novel, with background themes of zen and living in the present moment. But it came off like a diatribe. There was no subtlety at all to the philosophical lessons. Philosophy can be incredibly boring when it’s discussed in the abstract, and it doesn’t take long to discover that that’s what the author really wants to do. Was turned off very quickly, but I think it’s because my expectations were so different from what it was.
The Hierarchy of Heaven and Earth – Douglas Harding
Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov
One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet
The Brothers Karamazov – Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Experiences to have
Plant and harvest a vegetable garden
Walk the Milford Track– DONE – 2/1/10 – Unforgettable hike. Some of the most dramatic landscapes I’ve ever seen. Had perfect weather. Pictures here.
Hike the Tongariro Crossing – DONE – 12/8/09 – Incredible experience.
Have an article published in The New Yorker
Go to an NFL game – DONE – Saw the Vikings and Packers in Minnesota on October 27/2013
Visit the Sagrada Familia
See the Statue of Liberty – DONE – 1/23/2012 – I was exhausted from a day of walking around lower Manhattan, and suddenly felt a bit crowded out by the busy streets. So I went walking down by the water around Battery Park City. It was drizzly and suddenly quiet, and then I saw her still figure in the distance. Heart almost stopped. Just like the Sydney Opera House — the best way to see world-famous landmarks is by accident.
Visit the Museum of Modern Art, New York – DONE – 1/?/12 – Wandered the galleries for a few hours and had a transcendent meeting with my favorite painting, Des Moiselles d’Avignon. I didn’t know it lived there.
Visit the Hagia Sophia
Orbit the earth in a spaceship
Look at the heavens through a huge telescope – DONE – 4/1/11 – I visited the huge observatories on the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii and looked at several nebulae and planets with a 11″ reflecting telescope. Now, that’s not quite “huge” — I did not get to view the heavens through the enormous (some 20m-plus) telescopes in the observatories for two very good reasons: a) they are extremely exclusive and you have to have a lot of academic clout to even have a chance of using them, and b) modern telescopes do not have eyepieces — you can’t look through them. They are operated remotely and the heavens are viewed as high-res digital images. They are basically big cameras, and the images are freely available online.
See the Northern Lights in person – DONE (twice now) but I want to do it again!
See Radiohead live – DONE – 3/9/12 – Saw them in St. Louis. Beautiful, beautiful show. “Reckoner” and “Lucky” were transcendent moments for me.
Travel by train through the mountains – DONE – 2/4/10 – Took the TranzScenic across the New Zealand Southern Alps from Greymouth to Christchurch.
Walk the Abel Tasman Coastal Track – DONE – I had planned to walk the entire length of the track on December 23-27, 2009. When I got to the first hut, I found myself to be the only solo traveler at a beach full of vacationing families. I had left friends behind at the beginning of the track, and decided I’d rather spend Christmas with them than do the rest of the track with all of these couples and families. So I went back the next day. I did not walk the whole track as I intended, but I’m calling it done. I saw everything I wanted to see. It was beautiful, I just didn’t need five days of it at that particular time.
Take a round-the-world trip
Dine at a ridiculously fancy restaurant
Stay at a ridiculously fancy hotel
Share a ridiculously fancy bottle of wine with someone
Go to a movie by myself – I attempted to do this in Sydney in June 2010, at the world’s biggest IMAX screen, and unfortunately I ran into a bunch of friends going to the same movie
Participate in the making of a documentary
Fire a pistol
Get a massage from a professional – DONE – 10/14/09 – (There will be many more.)
Have a picnic on a green rolling hill with a checkered blanket
Hike in a rainforest – DONE – 1/24/10 – Hiked through the rainforest at Franz Josef, NZ, up to the top of 1300m Alex Knob. I am so sore. Pictures here.
Do a ten-day vipassana retreat
Go on a multi-day hike (with a few other people) and sleep rough
Summit a mountain (but not one I need crampons or ice axes for)
Get a quality barrel
See Cirque du Soleil – DONE – 7/24/10 – Saw “Allegria” at the MTS Centre. Incredible show, exceeded my expectations. Want to see more Cirque shows.
Attend South by Southwest
Live in New York City
Watch a sports game from a luxury box
Float in a sensory deprivation tank for an hour or more
Total goals: 110
Total complete: 34
Last updated: June 6, 2014
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Photo by Dudu Viana
Far out David this is an amazing list! When you’ve accomplished all of these (and I have no doubt you will) imagine the life you will have led! You’ve completely inspired me to get working on my own list. Thank you.
Best wishes to you, these are truly fabulous intentions! :)
.-= Sherri (Serene Journey)´s last blog ..Get Lost =-.
Thanks Sherri. That’s what I’m aiming for: getting people excited about doing their own (doable) list. Good luck with yours!
This is a really awesome list! Like Sherri said, just imagine the life you will have lived!
.-= Jay Schryer´s last blog ..The Last Boy Scout =-.
For sure… Looking at it now it’s pretty lengthy. Time to get to work. I can identify about ten I’ll definitely have done by this time next year. I guess I’ll never be bored.
It is an amazing list, but are you not concerned about missing out on life? There is a great deal of truth in the saying “life is what happens when you’re making other plans”. I probably am on completely the other end of the spectrum to you in this regard, but I don’t think I’ve missed out – I’m not saying there isn’t room for some order and plans in my life (it might actually benefit from it!)
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Impressions of North Korea (Part 1) =-.
Hi Kim. I’m not sure what you mean exactly. What would I be missing out on?
I’ve always interpreted Lennon’s quote to mean “Life only happens now, so don’t miss it by keeping your mind in the future.”
I don’t think I am, no matter how much I plan to do in life.
Ha ha sweet list – it’s as long as I expected. I’ve done a few the things on your list (namely watch Shindler’s List and read Atlas Shrugged). Atlas Shrugged was an incredibly long read, but it was worth it.
Better get to work on mine (only written 15 so far).
Until next time.
.-= John´s last blog ..20 Quotes That are Simply Motivating =-.
Hey John. Are you doing your list on 43things? If so let me know when you’re done, I’d love to see it (and cheer you on.)
David,
This is an awesome list. I need to create my own. If you are ever in Caifornia and in LA I can teach you how to surf :), since I spend all my free time surfing. In fact I’m about to head to the beach right now.
.-= Srinivas Rao´s last blog ..Create your own definitions for success and failure =-.
For sure! I will be out that way at some point definitely, and I won’t be able to teach myself to surf. Have a good day at the beach, man.
Awesome list. I think the benefit of posting it publicly is that when people see an item on someone else’s life-list that they know how to do or have done, the simply cannot resist lending a hand or sharing their experiences. That is a great thing for all involved.
Looking forward to hearing the stories as you move through your list!
-Nicky
That’s something I hadn’t thought of, but it looks like you’re right; I think I’ve already got surfing lessons lined up :)
Another thing is that it creates accountability to do these things. They’re out there now, so I have more than my own expectations to live up to.
I’ll share the stories as they happen.
Great show!
Keeping this comment short, let me know if I can help! (Hint: I could help you cross off the San Francisco tour, give you swimming lessons, teach you to drive a stick – for starters.) I also loved the book Atlas Shrugged and drinking beer from a real stein in Germany. Great picks!
I’m looking forward to seeing things crossed-off your list, David, and also to your tales of how these events occur. :P
.-= Lori´s last blog ..These Roots Run Deep =-.
Awesome! I may take you up on those offers, Lori. I’m starting to see the potential for finding help with this list, like Nicky was referring to.
Wow, what a FUN read this was! I loved this post a lot. You have me motivated to create my own list now. Looks like you have plenty of things to do before you die. :)
Very nice post!
Dayne
TheHappySelf.com :)
.-= Dayne | TheHappySelf.com´s last blog ..Happiness Challenge #1: 100 Breaths =-.
Glad to hear you enjoyed reading it Dayne. I was wondering if anyone would really care about my own plans, but I hoped it would entertain a bit at least.
Awesome list, except you forgot two things that I just KNOW you meant to put on there:
1. Hug a monkey in Costa Rica.
2. Try every flavor of Ben & Jerry’s. :)
OK… so those came off of MY list. I’ve done the first, and I’m well on my way to completing the second. I highly recommend them both.
I have no doubt you will accomplish the vast majority of the items on YOUR list!
.-= Lisis´s last blog ..Letters from Readers: Remembering Lost Loved Ones =-.
I’m scared of monkeys.
Even chunky monkey.
That’s a damn shame! You’re missing out all around!
.-= Lisis´s last blog ..Letters from Readers: Remembering Lost Loved Ones =-.
feeling kinda cut that Australia didn’t make your list. Are we too extreme/not good enough?
;-)
.-= Hannah´s last blog ..Steve McCurry =-.
Oh but it was so hard Hannah. There are so many countries (not to mention other kinds of experiences) I had to leave out. It doesn’t mean that I don’t want to go, only that Australia doesn’t compel me quite as much as the countries I did list.
In a lot of cases this just comes down to dumb luck. I became intrigued in Germany, for example, because I’ve run into German travelers who got me interested. If they’d been Aussies, the list would be different.
Please don’t take it personally! :)
Congratulations on your list! I know you’ll accomplish all of your goals:) You’ll like ‘On the Road’ and ‘Atlas Shrugged’. (Personally though, I do believe that ‘The Fountainhead’ is better than Atlas…there’s a reason the dog I get will be named Roark and not John Galt.)
Anyway, good luck and most importantly, have fun!
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Tina. If I like Atlas Shrugged I will certainly read the Fountainhead.
Hi David,
What a very cool list!! And, it’s giving me some new ideas on things I want to accomplish yet in my life!
.-= Lance´s last blog ..The Evolution of Our Heart’s Desire =-.
That’s great Lance, when I was making mine I know I was inspired a lot by what other people had on their lists too. I find it so interesting to see other people’s dreams written out like that.
Wonderful list. So many places you want to see are on my list as well and Istanbul is also number one on my list. Be sure to add Garden of the Gods in Colorado to travel and in the reading category, Prayer: The Gate (for the spiritual part of your jouney). Thanks for a great post. Be blessed and enjoy the list and every moment of your grand adventure called life.
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Season of Change =-.
I will, thanks so much Erin. I’ll investigate your suggestions too.
You will not find the secret service snatch test on my list.
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Season of Change =-.
What an awesome list! The other early step in the lessons I just emailed you about was to make a list of dreams for our life. Your’s is way more complete than mine. I’ve gotta work on it!
Peace.
.-= Daniel Edlen´s last blog ..Baby Barter =-.
It does take some time. Normally I just sit down for one or two sessions to write a post, but this list I’ve had running for over a month now. I recommend taking some time, trying to throw one together too fast will give you a list you don’t believe in. I made one in high school like that.
What an amazing list! We actually have a lot of common goals, like self employment, guitar, becoming a parent, and exploring the Nile, among others. Thanks for sharing this =)
I never thought to write one of these, but I suppose this would be very helpful in maintaining forward momentum. You’ve inspired me to write my own.
.-= Lori´s last blog ..Panic Attack! (It’s Never Lupus) =-.
I think everyone has some kind of list, even if it’s just in their head, but there really is something awesome about getting them down on paper (or a computer.) They stare back at you, challenging you to actually do them. Glad you’re going to make a list. Have fun.
I think you already know it’s a great list (it’s yours after all)!
When did you first write this? What I mean by that is ..I’m guessing you’ve already done far more than 4 things from the list you would have written, say 10 years ago? That would also be inspiring to read all the things you’ve already achieved that are good enough to make the list.
.-= Ian | Quantum Learning´s last blog ..We think too much and feel too little =-.
I didn’t reach too far back to find items I’ve already done, but I did add them as they occurred to me. To be honest I always had a strange aversion to achievement until this last few years. I was afraid to set high expectations.
I share many of these aspirations; what I am really excited about now is becoming fluent in a couple languages. I don’t know how much experience you have, but my advice to you is learn Esperanto.
One, because studies show it drastically reduces the time required to learn a natural language. Because of its simplicity its reasonably easy to become fluent in a few months, so you have the full experience of second language acquisition. When students who either took 3 years of German or 1 year Esperanto + 2 years German were tested, they found the latter group tested much better for fluency in German, even though they studied it for 2/3 as long.
Secondly, because through the Pasporta Servo program, you can stay with an Esperanto speaker in practically any country you’d want to travel to and they can show you the ropes. It’s a hospitality program.
Thanks Brad, I’ll look into Esperanto when I get back from my trip. I’d never heard anyone give a convincing reason to learn it, until now. I’m intrigued.
Thanks for this, David.
In the rush to ‘get stuff done’, it is easy to forget the really simple and obvious stuff.
Like “Why don’t I make a list of things that I would really love to do before I die!”
It is interesting to read through someone else’s list, not only for ideas, but for the occasions when you can say “Hey, I’ve already done that” or “I’ve done that too!”
Suddenly success isn’t so far away… :-)
I’ll be posting one on my own blog soon.
keep smiling,
Ben
.-= Find yourself with a smile…´s last blog ..3 Simple Secrets for Intensifying Love… =-.
I have had lots of fun reading through other people’s lists.
As others stated awesome list! I still need to get mine started this weekend.
When you travel through Los Angeles, CA I know my friends and I would love to show you our city!
Looking forward to the future blog posts as you check of items off your list!
Thanks Roberta. My travels will definitely take me to LA again. Suddenly I have a lot of dots to connect!
This is quite an extensive list! Which area are you currently focusing on?
Hi Nazim,
At the moment I’m focusing on my upcoming trip to Thailand and New Zealand. There are ten or twelve items I plan do cross off during that time, and I’ll have plenty of time to work on others too as the opportunities arise.
I have started my list if anyone is on 43 things please feel free to add me. http://www.43things.com/person/r0b3rta
Only just started but definitely helpful and easy to use the 43 site.
David, thanks for propelling us towards this beautiful journey!
Hey right on Roberta, thanks for sharing. I’ve subscribed to your list, but I haven’t put mine on 43 things yet. Do you have a country in mind that you want to live in for 6 months?
.-= David´s last blog ..What’s Your Problem? And Why? =-.
You know, I’ve never made a “life list” like this… but reading yours, it strikes me how many of them (YOUR goals) I’ve done! I will count them up and give you a report. Then, perhaps, I will work on my own list. : )
.-= Alison | Quest for Balance´s last blog ..Adventure: Starting Over =-.
Awesome list! The Stranger by Camus is a quick read (unless of course, you’re reading the French version and not the translated version). You can easily finish it while you’re on the plane to any one of your exotic locations! (:
Hi Katrina. I was picturing the translated version, but if I like it I may add the French version to the list. I’ve got Heart of Darkness on the go right now.
hey david! amazing list! it is so awesome that so people are doing this. i just discovered the idea about a week a go and have already added it to my blog as of today! so excited for you and my life list! take care!
peace
.-= Nawala´s last blog ..Follow Your Heart…live a little! =-.
Hi Nawala, thanks. Nice list yourself. Looks like you’ve got a big 2010 ahead of you. :)
yes i do!…geez i’m nervous! lol
.-= Nawala´s last blog ..Food For Thought 8 =-.
Hey! I know you want to explore Dublin but it’s really not part of “real” Ireland! Galway city or Cork city is the place to be for a warm welcome and a good time! (If you’re going city travelling specifically)
If you’re coming to Ireland for any travel.
The mountains in Kerry are amazing to look at and climb! The people there are crazy. Amazing scenery. And if you come to Tipperary, it’s green and lush, completely contrasting with Kerry! Great mountains there too!
That’s one extensive list! Inspiring!
Oh I’ll definitely see more than Dublin. :)
Very inspirational ! It makes me want to write such a list…From what I know, becoming debt-free is the utmost prerequisite to make it all possible (and one of the most difficult). Good thing you did get it done. I’m working on that myself.
Anyway, thanks for sharing and good luck achieving your goals !
Thanks Mehdi. Depending on what’s on your list, there is a lot a person can do without any financial prerequisites. Have fun with your list :)
Hi David,
thank you for writing the guide to write a life list and posting your own, it is really inspiring! Thanks to these articles, I decided to write one for myself as well. It is actually a lot of fun! I also found another benefit of doing it- I’m 17 now and I have to start thinking about my future education and career. In my opinion, thinking about what I want to acomplish in my life and creating my own life list is a good way to start and it can help a lot. I am also proud of that I see Czech republic on your list, it is my home country. If you ever need tips, what exactly is worth seeing there, feel free to contact me, I would be happy to help you!
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