Until 6:30am this morning I’d never heard of John Goddard.  But whilst researching this Blog entry I came across his name.  So, who is John Goddard and why is he important?  John Goddard is a perfect example of the power of the ‘life list’….let me tell you his story.

In 1940 and at the age of 15 John was having a chat with a friend of his dad’s.  “You know what John” said his dad’s friend “I really regret not having done the things I wanted to do when I was your age.”

This made John think…and he found himself sat at his kitchen table with a yellow writing pad starting to writing his ‘life list’.  The list contained the majority of things John wanted to achieve in his life and with a total of 127 entries was pretty comprehensive.

It was also particular ambitious and included circumnavigate the globe (he’s done that four times), travel through the grand canyon on foot and by boat, teach a college course and have a family (he’s married with six children).

So far in his life he’s achieved a total of 113 items from the ‘life list’ he wrote 72 years ago.  An incredible achievement by anyone’s standard…especially when you look at some of the things John has completed in his life (You can see John’s full ‘life list’ here)

I’ve written recently about how planning (both financially and otherwise) so that you can achieve the life you want is simple but not easy.  It takes focus, discipline and motivation.  I’ve also written about how taking simple actions (like changing the background wallpaper on your computer) might help provide that motivation.

Another way to provide the motivation you need to help you achieve the life you want write your ‘life list’.  Personally I’ve always had a ‘life list’ but it’s firmly remained in my head!  Reading John’s story had motivated me to take some time over the next few weeks to write a list of I want to achieve in my life and I’d suggest there might be some value in doing the same thing.

I’m going to share my ‘life list’ on this blog and if you’re comfortable with doing so I’d like you to share yours with me.  By spending the time to truly understand what you truly want to achieve in your life might just be the spark you need to live the life you truly want.

As ever I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.  Have you got a ‘life list’?  If so, do you feel it works for you?  If not,