Playing B-Ball with Obama: 6 Steps to Crossing Anything Off Your Bucket List 461 Comments
Let us start with a quote, often misattributed to Goethe:
“Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”
- William Hutchinson Murray, The Scottish Himalayan Expedition (1951)
If you want a lesson in boldness, and to cross things off of your bucket list, there is no better teacher than Ben Nemtin.
His story, and that of the entire Buried Life team, is amazing.
It started with a list of 100 things and a planned two-week roadtrip. Along the way, Ben has somehow managed to play basketball with Obama, throw the first pitch at a Major League Baseball game, delivery a baby (not his), make the biggest roulette spin in Vegas’ history, and much more.
Most recently, they crossed off #19: Write a bestselling book. Their debut, What Do You Want To Do Before You Die?, just hit #1 on The New York Times, which will be announced officially April 15th. To celebrate? They’re sending a copy of the book into space.
It all seems unbelievable, which is exactly why I love this guest post from Ben.
This original content covers his 6 steps for crossing anything off of your personal bucket list. There is a method. Everyone needs a kick in the ass sometimes, and this did it for me.
Enter Ben
If there’s one thing I’m proud of, it’s being able to tell good stories.
Not because I’m a particularly good storyteller, but because I’ve been able to accumulate some amazing experiences in the last 5 and a half years.
It was 2006 when I first hit the road with my next-door neighbor, his younger brother, and a kid I knew from high school to accomplish a list we had created of 100 things to do before we died. We made a promise that for every item we crossed off, we’d help a total stranger do something they wanted to do before they died. To date, we’ve accomplished 81 items on our list and helped over 81 people.
In addition to those Tim mentioned in the intro, and among others, I’ve made a TV show, crashed the Playboy Mansion, streaked a stadium, been on Oprah, reunited a father and son after 17 years, made a $300,000 donation to charity, helped a girl find her mother’s grave for the first time, and am trying to help a college freshman find a new kidney (Need your help on this one: info here)…
Remember: 5 and a half years ago, I couldn’t tell any of these stories.
Our mission was supposed to be a two-week road trip. The four of us never expected it to be much more, and we certainly didn’t expect to be living it five years later. In the beginning, we didn’t tell our friends what we were doing because we didn’t know how to explain it. What we shared was really just a feeling: we were fed up and wanted something different. We decided to move forward without a real plan. A mechanic told us that the RV we’d borrowed wasn’t going to make it home; I had fabricated a wedding to get time off of work; and we pretended we owned a production company to raise money for a camera and gas for the RV. The only thing we knew for sure was that we would be taking two weeks off before going back to college. The plan: to try and accomplish as many items on our list as possible and help some people. We didn’t have a name for the project until Jonnie was assigned a poem in English 102 called “The Buried Life.” It was written 150 years ago but spoke to the same feeling we were having at the time: the desire to unbury our lives and do the things that were important to us, not what was expected of us. There were four lines that stood out from the rest:
But often, in the world’s most crowded streets,
But often, in the din of strife,
There rises an unspeakable desire
After the knowledge of our buried life;
When I think back to this time now, I remember sitting on the curb beside our RV the night before we were supposed to leave. We were arguing about whether or not to cancel the trip, because if the camper broke down, we didn’t have enough money to tow it home. Five years later, I guess it’s safe to say we’ve gotten pretty good at accomplishing our dreams. I’d like to say that there’s something unique about us that makes us able to do these things, but the truth is the opposite. There is a formula and it’s simple.
The more items we cross off our list, the more we become convinced that anyone can do anything. The formula comes down to these six steps:
#1. Stop and think about it. Really think about it.
What is it that you really want to do with your life? Start a business? Reconnect with an old friend? Dive to the bottom of the ocean? Smoke a cigar with Castro? Forget what you think you should do, what excites you? What feels impossible? Be honest with yourself. Your answers don’t need to make an impression on anyone but you.
For many people, the four members of The Buried Life included, the impetus to make a life change only comes with crisis. The summer before we started The Buried Life, I was struggling with depression; Dave was struggling with his weight; Duncan had recently lost a close friend; and Jonnie was just plain angry and disillusioned with our generation (“No one protests anymore,” he used to say). The four of us were so beaten down that we had no choice but to reevaluate what was important to us. Our project grew out of that frustration. Sometimes it takes a debilitating low or a crushing loss to snap you back to reality, but don’t wait for it. Ferris Bueller put it well: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
#2. Write it down.
Simply put, it’s not real until you write it down. And by that I mean, take your dream and turn it into a project. Dreams have a funny way of staying dreams. But a project is something that needs to be done. Approach it as you would any other item on your daily or weekly to-do list. When you have a deadline— a presentation, a grocery list, a birthday gift you need to buy for someone–you find a way to get it done. Treat your dreams the same way. Add it to your list. You need to buy toilet paper. You need to spend the weekend in Paris with someone you love. When you write it down, you’ve taken the first step.
When we first started the project, we put things on the list almost as a joke. We didn’t think about whether they could actually happen; we just pretended that anything was possible. “#53: Make a TV Show” was a dream we’d shared since we were young. We had no filmmaking background and no connections in the business. And we lived on an island in Canada. We decided MTV in the States would be the place to have a show because it was the biggest and best platform we knew of for reaching people like us. So we wrote it down. And then we started filming it, because that was just the next logical step. Every step led to the next. Four years later, we were executive producers and creators of our own show on MTV.
#3. Talk about it.
Everyone knows someone who knows someone who knows someone.
After you’ve come up with your list and written it down, start talking. Tell everyone you know. Tell your parents’ friends. Tell new people you meet. Talk to your cabdriver. Talk to your boss. You never know whose uncle’s wife may be able to help you. And don’t just talk about it, but talk about it passionately. Enthusiasm is infectious, and people want to help when given the chance. Help can show up in the most unusual places, oftentimes the least expected ones.
We didn’t come from money. We had an idea, we talked about it, and people showed up in incredible ways help us. Our first lawyer was our parent’s friend who had heard about what we were doing and offered to lend a hand; our first manager was my godmother; I met my first Hollywood contact while traveling in Mexico; we cold-called local companies in our hometown to raise money for our first tour. Help often came in strange places. In 2007 we were able to finagle a five-minute meeting with Jann Wenner, legendary founder of Rolling Stone magazine, in order to discuss what it would take to cross #15 off our list, “Get on the Cover of Rolling Stone.” The five-minute meeting turned into a 45-minute meeting (after Jann threatened to kick us out and asked his assistant for a knife), during which time we talked about everything from protests to Bob Dylan to the difference between our two generations. We told him about some of our most ambitious dreams, including “#19: Write a Bestselling Book.” Jann was later instrumental in helping us get our book published—introducing us to a company where we met the smartest, most talented, best-looking book editor alive (hi Lia), who eventually offered us a deal.
#4. Be persistent.
Most people give up just before they reach their goal. We all hear “No,” a lot, but we’ve come to realize that “No” usually just means “Not now.” Be creative in your persistence. Don’t piss people off by nagging them—think of innovative and clever ways to grab their attention. Be different, and never say die.
Last year, we broke into the Playboy Mansion. We rented a giant stripper cake and decorated it like it was for the Willy Wonka–themed party. Two of us dressed up like Oompa-Loompas and hid in the bottom of the cake, which was then delivered to the back door of the Playboy Mansion in a rented delivery truck. Security saw our homemade Playboy logo on the cake and allowed it to pass through the gates. After waiting inside the cake for six long hours (peeing in bottles and filming in night-vision), we hatched out unnoticed and partied at the Mansion all night with free rein. Security assumed we were just very rowdy employees.
Playboy had no idea we had been in and out, or that we had filmed our first episode. But when we went back a month later to ask for permission to air, they said, “If you air the episode, we’ll sue you and have you charged with breaking and entering.” We got ahold of the company’s vice president, and he echoed that sentiment. MTV told us to move on and film another episode. Our production company said there was nothing we could do. In a last ditch effort we decided to send Hugh Hefner a handwritten letter along with the rough cut of the episode. A week later, we received this response from Mr. Hefner himself: “You can air the episode. Just know I’m not very pleased with you boys.” I always thought that crashing the Playboy Mansion was my dream, but getting scolded by Hugh Hefner was way better.
#5. Be ballsy.
The majority of people don’t go after their wildest dreams because they think they’re unrealistic. Tim says it well: “Ninety-nine percent of people believe they can’t do great things, so they aim for mediocrity.” The level of competition is highest for realistic goals because most people don’t set high enough goals for themselves. But not only do you statistically have a better chance of achieving what may seem like an unrealistic goal, doing so fuels you. Once you feel the first high of accomplishing something major and seemingly unattainable, you want to go bigger and badder, and you force yourself to fulfill the need all the more. Even better, the technically smaller goals suddenly seem less daunting.
We put “#95: Play Ball with the President” on the list because it was literally the most unattainable goal we could think of. I remember Jonnie called me from his dorm room in Montreal in 2008 right after Barack Obama had been elected and Jonnie said, “We should add ‘Play Ball with Obama’ to the list.” I chuckled because it was so absurd and agreed. I found it humorous not only because the idea was so outrageous but also because I knew Jonnie was calling me from his “room,” a tiny space he was renting for $200 a month, which he shared with a washer and dryer. Of all people, we weren’t the best candidates for a pick up game with the leader of the Free World. Nonetheless, two years later we found ourselves shooting hoops with the President in the backyard of the White House. It’s a long, complicated story, and I don’t want to bore you with the details, but this is the kind of thing that the four of us chuckle about sometimes. It’s as if we have horseshoes up our butts, but it’s also happened too many times to be luck. When you dream big, you surprise yourself.
[TIM: I prodded Ben for the details about Obama, and it's anything but boring. Here's how it happened. First off, Obama only plays when Reggie Love is on the court. Reggie Love is the President's "body man" or, more formally, "special assistant and personal aide," and this b-ball detail made Reggie the man to look for. The gents called everyone they could think of (senators, legislators, etc.) who could e-mail or otherwise contact Reggie. He ultimately liked the idea, but, when passed up the flagpole, it was vetoed by the White House press team. The Buried Life had to end the "Obama" episode on a disappointing "To Be Continued..." Then, the crazy part: The President is up late one night, flips on the TV and randomly sees the end of the episode. Soon thereafter, someone approached Reggie at the White House: "POTUS is pissed." When Reggie asks POTUS what's wrong, he replies: "Why haven't I played basketball with The Buried Life guys?" Reggie explains that he ran it through the press team and they refused, to which Obama replies, "Let's make it happen." The next time the boys are in DC, Reggie invites them to check out the White House courts. While casually shooting around, the President strolls up and surprises all of them. After 20 minutes of hoops together, they ask the President, "What do you want to do before you die?" The answer? "Be an anchor on SportsCenter for a day."]
#6. Help others.
We’ve crossed off more than 80 list items over the last six years, but the moments that stand out the most are the ones when we’ve been able to step into someone’s life and share something real with them. I’ve been surprised by how little it takes to impact someone’s life. Something as simple as asking the question, “What do you want to do before you die?” and taking the time to listen is often all it takes. If you’re feeling lost or depressed, you might find what you’re looking for in someone else. Into the Wild said it best: “Happiness is only real when it’s shared.”
The first person we ever helped was a guy named Brent. He wrote to us in broken English saying his biggest dream was to bring pizzas down to the nearby homeless shelter. Brent had himself spent three years living in that shelter and remembered fondly the days people brought in food because those were the times it felt like someone gave a damn. When we talked with Brent in person, we learned that what he really needed was a truck. He had pulled himself out of the shelter by starting a business that relied on his truck, but it had just broken down. We knew we needed to help him find a new vehicle, but we didn’t have the money ourselves. This is the very first video we ever made, trying to track down a truck for Brent.
#7. Your Turn.
Your dreams are closer than they appear. There’s nothing about us four guys that makes us more able than anyone else to accomplish our goals, other than the simple fact that we’ve decided to go after them. George Elliot said, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” Don’t wait. Why not start now? Post one thing you want to do before you die in the comments below.
The Buried Life is a community of 1,286,399 people answering the question: “What do you want to do before you die?”
How will you answer it?
###
Odds and Ends:
Tim Ferris TED profile – “Smash Fear, Learn Anything” If you have fears holding you back, as I did with swimming and language learning, this might be just what the doctor ordered.
Posted on April 4th, 2012
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461 Comments
Steve — April 6th, 2012, 7:27 am
Hey guys and Tim.
Congrats. Been following your story since I heard about it a few years back, and it inspired me to create my own epic quest of things to accomplish.
Congrats on the book launch, looking forward to reading it when I come back into the states.
Keep kickin ass,
-Steve
Jake Thompson — April 6th, 2012, 8:11 pm
Not at all a surprise to me that I see the founder of Nerd Fitness on here. Steve, you do great work as well and like Ben and his crew, you’re a daily inspiration to a lot of us. Keep doing what you do as well – traveling, writing, encouraging a life of fitness, fun, and adventure.
Anthony Timperman — April 6th, 2012, 7:31 am
To publish my novel, Where Airy Voices Lead.
Ronnie — April 28th, 2012, 6:57 pm
It sounds great, Anthony! When will it be published?
Cheers,
Ronnie
Nomadic Matt — April 6th, 2012, 7:32 am
I’m a big fan of you guys. I love the TV show and amazed at all the stuff you are able to do.
warren — April 6th, 2012, 7:34 am
Step 1 is the hardest part. I don’t think I’m a one ‘thing’ type of guy, I have a lot of interests and the idea of focusing on one thing for an extended period, making a life/career/speciality out of only one, I dunno, not too keen. I prefer being a ‘generalist’.
Angela — April 6th, 2012, 8:49 pm
I used to feel like that too. There’s a book I read once called Refuse to choose (I found this by searching what to do when you want to do everything on google). Its all about how to organize your desire to do everything into actually DOING something. It was great for me.
ilyse — April 9th, 2012, 10:06 am
Thanks for the tip Angela, I looked into the book and am going to order it!
Cheers!
Ilyse
Randy Eckhardt — April 15th, 2012, 11:49 pm
I second the book Refuse to Choose. In fact, it’s been a while since I read it and I’m inspired to retread it after seeing your post.
Finkata — March 16th, 2013, 3:11 am
Great book, I have always felt that a lifetime isn’t nearly long enough to pursue all my interests and make use of all my talents.
Saeed — April 14th, 2012, 3:47 pm
I can see where you’re coming from because I was like that as well. I think it’s important to focus on one thing so that you can actually ‘focus’. Spreading yourself too thin will most likely turn the numerous ideas into dreams while focusing on one at a time will allow you to keep checking off feats on your list.
Denny — April 6th, 2012, 7:35 am
Amazing guest post, The Buried Life guys are truly inspiring.
Before I die? Stop being an App Developer on salary and start designing my own games and applications. “Not having the time” is can’t always be the excuse.
Anthony Mychal — April 6th, 2012, 7:36 am
Great post, great story.
Always inspiring. To echo #6, I wish that one day I could help TBL crew cross something off of someone else’s list.
Until then, I’m working towards my dreams. And content like this certainly helps.
Appreciate it TBL and Tim.
-Anthony
Tim slechta — April 6th, 2012, 7:38 am
Super inspirational guys! So Ive gotten a back seat ride in an F-16 (8.6 Gs) and didmt puke but I’ve never actually jumped out of an airplane before. And Ive only been indoor skydiving once, BUT squirrel suit/wingsuit skydiving in Peru is numero uno on my bucket list, how can we make that happen???! Anyone else with me here?
Keep doing what you’re doing guys and make your dreams come true!
Marcus — April 6th, 2012, 1:14 pm
I recently jumped out of a plane with the Vegas Extreme Skydiving guys. It was incredible. One of the instructors there is a world expert in exactly what you want to do. He was a really friendly guy. I think you have to make quite a commitment in time before you can do wing suit jumps but why not contact him to talk about it as he was really friendly. I have forgotten his name but I’m sure if you call them they will be able to put you in contact with him.
Good luck!
Jenna Compton — April 6th, 2012, 7:41 am
I want to start my own business in Chicago – it’s an app for runners & I want to be a woman in the tech buz! (Such a male-dominant field.)
It’s gonna happen before I die – hopefully within the next year!
Richard Patey — April 6th, 2012, 1:35 pm
Hi Jenna, a web designer/developer contact of mine from Norwich, UK, called Keri Lambden has set up a project called Web Heroines which is ‘on a mission to inspire and engage more women with design and technology and increase the number of women working in the field’.
Tim – great post and to answer the question by The Buried Life guys, top on my list is to head into space on a Virgin Galactic!
Randy Eckhardt — April 15th, 2012, 11:52 pm
On my list as well!
Brad Hart — April 6th, 2012, 7:42 am
Great article guys! Very inspiring. I’ve crossed a few things off my own list, but this just gave me a much needed kick to think bigger and keep going. Thank you so much for the continued motivation Tim and Ben!
brian — April 6th, 2012, 7:43 am
i have quite a few things i want to accomplish before i die but one that comes to mind right now :
Have Tea on a mist covered mountain with a monk and sit in complete silence…
Nate — April 6th, 2012, 7:45 am
Oh man, awesome. I’m constantly looking for inspiring tv shows and movies. What’s funny is that MTV would be the last place I’d look for some reason. I’m glad I’ve been shown I made a bad a bad assumption. I can’t wait to watch the entire series. Streaming from Netflix. Yes!
Sarah — April 6th, 2012, 7:45 am
I do have quite a list, to which I need to add far out and “silly” things, but the goal nearer in time and dear to my heart is to build out my network of sites and replace my husband’s income.
Good article, guys. Thanks!
Grace — April 7th, 2012, 1:13 am
Good luck Sarah. I am in the process of building a replacement income to. Lots of technical challenges, I know, so I just wanted to offer you some encouragement
Ray — April 6th, 2012, 7:46 am
Surf Pipeline in Hawaii.
Erik — April 6th, 2012, 7:47 am
Very inspiring Tim! Thanks for introducing me to yet another amazing story
Bobby Huang — April 6th, 2012, 7:47 am
What I want to do before I die…
Travel the world with my future kids!
Tyler Shannon — April 6th, 2012, 7:47 am
Circumnavigate the globe in a balloon, a plane, and a sail boat!
Mike — April 6th, 2012, 7:52 am
Wow, that’s probably a top three post for me. We get loost in our lives and limitations. It’s why I love your blog. You remind us how much further we can go.
Geoffrey Levens, L.Ac. — April 6th, 2012, 7:53 am
Greedy me, I would love to know how they made the big roulette spin?
Matt — April 6th, 2012, 8:25 am
Its an episode. Check it out: its called something like “#IDK: make a million dollars”
Rachel Mazza — April 6th, 2012, 7:54 am
I want to ride an elephant and bathe them in a river in Thailand.
Paulina — April 10th, 2012, 6:21 pm
Hi Rachel!
This past June I spent a month with sick and injured elephants in Thailand (got to bathe them too!). Riding elephants is actually part of a nasty tourism battle in Thailand where elephants are being beat in order for them to succumb to letting tourists ride their backs all day.
Check out the Elephant Nature Park at http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/
I got to prepare food, feed them, and just enjoy watching uncaged elephants acting like natural elephants do. Plus the staff and food is incredible!!
Mccoy — April 6th, 2012, 7:55 am
On the list is a trip to a 5 star hotel in hawaii. It looks amazing. Any tips on how to get there Brian?
Kevin Mendel — April 6th, 2012, 7:56 am
GREAT read!
Have always been a big pro wrestling fan( Yes I know it’s “scripted”!) & have always wanted to do 2 related things:
1. Have lunch with Vince McMahon
2. Get to walk down the ramp and have my own entrance complete with pyro and music.
Leah — April 9th, 2012, 12:36 pm
@Kevin Mendel
For what it’s worth, he’s a really nice guy!
I am training at The Second City in Chicago, and David Otunga was in my class last term. He didn’t give out his personal contact info (can’t blame him), but if it’d help you at all, I’d be happy to try to get in contact with him. Just let me know
My number one priority (which I’m taking a short break from right now) is to write and sell a TV script, and see it produced.
v — April 17th, 2012, 6:25 pm
I have always wanted to have one match but I wouldnt mind losing!
Marc — April 6th, 2012, 7:56 am
Learn to:
Sail
Hanglide
Parkour
Swing Dance
Retire My Parents
Cure My Mom’s Diabetes
Kristi — April 7th, 2012, 12:29 pm
Hey Marc, check out rawfor30days (dot) com, I am a believer that it’s possible! I’ve personally had incredible success stabilizing my blood sugars (I’m prediabetic) with Green Smmothies & a good diet. Also you may enjoy rawfamily (dot) com. Hope this helps!
**raises a glass of green Smoothie** Cheers!!! ~ K
Bryan — April 11th, 2012, 6:30 am
Hey Marc, There is clinical evidence that a direct correlation exists between sleep disorders and type 2 diabetes. While we cannot say for sure the sleep disorder caused the diabetes it is a distinct possibility. Sleep disorders go undiagnosed more then 60% of the time. They are normally treatable. Everyone with type 2 diabetes should have a sleep test.
Curing type 1 will be a bit more challenging but I wish you luck.
I enjoy statistics and reading clinical studies I hope to someday help to find a cure and solve the mystery behind a disease.
Martin — April 12th, 2012, 5:03 am
Marc!
Think I got a possible solution to your Mom’s diabetes. Check out Alkalizing and energizing your body. A good resource is Dr. Alex Gurerro. Here is a link to his site: http://www.1-supreme-greens.com/Alex-Guarraro.html Used his method to get rid of the pain in my fingers (climbing injury), and double my energy
Sylwia B — April 13th, 2012, 5:45 am
Diabetis thing- did you hear about Gerson diet? or raw fat vegan diet? i also heard about one German lady that was successfully curing diabetes, she used protein (cottage or white cheese with omega-3 fats + eating raw food)
Adam Fiddler — May 23rd, 2012, 4:20 pm
Marc,
If this is type 2 diabetes, it is now one of the most reversible conditions we know of thanks to all of the latest research in nutrition. The following are all resources that you should find very valuable (I have no affiliation with any of this links but this information is not something you should be without):
1) Robb Wolf: Author of “The Paleo Solution” who has helped many people reverse their diabetes through diet alone. http://www.robbwolf.com
2) Mark Sisson. A former ultra-marathor and author of “The Primal Blueprint” who also runs a website dedicated to helping people reverse things like diabetes through nutrition. http://www.marksdailyapple.com
3) Dave Asprey: A Silicon-Valley entrepreneur who was diagnosed as pre-diabetic and was also very obese before using nutrition to reverse all of his symptoms: http://www.bulletproofexec.com
Best of luck,
Adam
Linsey M — April 6th, 2012, 7:57 am
My dream is to compete in show jumping.
Bobby — April 6th, 2012, 7:59 am
1) Become a citizen of multiple countries (without changing my religion)including the Eastern Band of the Cerokees. 2) Set up tiny houses on properties in the several countries (a global system of private bases for my family to operate from). 3) Be financially independent and travel the world with my family for years to come.
Randy Eckhardt — April 16th, 2012, 12:09 am
A variation of your second goal is on my list too. Currently I’ve been only thinking about this in the states, but you’ve nspired me to think globally. My thought has been to eventually buy a set of properties with garage apartments, live in the garage apartments, and rent out the main place to pay for the mortgage.
Dundili — April 6th, 2012, 8:00 am
Conduct the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrea — April 6th, 2012, 8:01 am
Cool stuff! Very inspiring.
My #1 is to start my blog and set up a business. Will be up and running in May
Erin — April 6th, 2012, 8:01 am
Really enjoyed this post!! One thing I want to do is become a diabetes educator and teach my own classes independent of any organization. A lot of people just have no clue about the actual disease process and most current research is totally inaccurate. Got my BSN so just need certification and people willing to learn. Wish me luck!
Daniel Perry — April 6th, 2012, 8:03 am
What an inspiring and remarkable post. I’m currently a freshman in college and needless to say, nothing can put a damper on chasing your dreams better than college classes. Fortunately, I’m lucky enough to have read Tim’s book “4 Hour Work Week,” and I have a couple of muses currently in progress. I want to thank you Tim for telling me I can, when so many have said I can’t. Since your book I’ve sat in on a meeting with the CEO of a multimillion consulting company, played golf with a movie star, and have turned myself into a scratch golfer. I’m sure you get this all the time, but thank you so much. In the future my plans are so much wider and scope in terms of generosity and change. My biggest inspiration is “Abundance” by Peter Diamandis. Thanks to the base you helped build, I’m on my way.
There are many many things I’m going to cross of my bucket list. I know it will happen with time. What I need now is something to inspire me. As I’ve done many of the things I mentioned above, I was never quite happy. Until recently, I had no idea what it was.
Then, it hit me. I loved. I lost her.
A lot of things have happened between us, good and bad. We’ve lost touch but I know there’s a chance for us. If I lose her, I’ll never feel like I’m able to fully be the man I want to be. To get her back I want to do something for her that inspires her the way you all have inspired me. Maybe a personal video from you, telling her how I feel and to go out and shoot for the moon and aim for the stars. I don’t know. I want your guys advice.
Your creativity, ballsyness (if that’s a word) and generosity are truly remarkable. How can I get this girl back and reach the potential I see for myself? Anything you can do would be sick. Keep doing what you’re doing. It’s people like you, who will solve our world’s most pressing problems, I’m sure of it. Of which Love, i believe, is something losing its appeal to people. It shouldn’t because for most people, and to quote Lil Wayne on this one, they need that motivation.
Rachel Mazza — April 6th, 2012, 8:04 am
I ALSO want to land a role in a box office hit hollywood movie.
Miguel — April 6th, 2012, 8:05 am
This is a very inspiring post. I sure hope to start crossing things off my bucket list.
Paul Alexander — April 6th, 2012, 8:05 am
This is some cool stuff. The way to live life!
Rachel Mazza — April 6th, 2012, 8:05 am
And pay off all of my parent’s debt and buy them a house on the coast somewhere warm
Brooklyn — April 6th, 2012, 8:06 am
This is an awesome post! Two things that I have a burning desire to do before I die is Run a successful Freedom business AND be a club DJ in Chicago. I currently don’t know how to dj
Detoxx — April 11th, 2012, 11:42 am
If u were in the Bay Area…I’d show u how to DJ!!! Find a DJ in your area and ask him/her to show you…we all love to teach LOL
Marv and Jo — April 6th, 2012, 8:07 am
Fellas…this is simply mindblowing! We love how you just go all jedi and it just happens for you!
Congrats on the book and the success of your TV show! Thanks Tim for bringing this story to light, truly inspiring.
James Taylor — April 6th, 2012, 8:08 am
What an amazing inspiring story. Reminds me of that Thoreau line that ‘Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.’ Bravo Ben, Dave, Duncan and Jonnie.
Joseph Campbell — April 6th, 2012, 8:08 am
Thanks for the story Tim. Very inspiring. Any places you would recommend visiting in Cartegena or Medellin Colombia? Heading down there at the end of the month.
Alex Ikonn — April 6th, 2012, 8:12 am
Awesome read! This will blog post will inspire thousands more to dream and achieve their dreams.
My top bucket list item at the moment:
Interview Tim Ferriss – I will keep e-mailing Amy for now
Tim if you read this, ask Amy to forward my e-mail to you. You will find it interesting
Chad — April 6th, 2012, 8:12 am
Drink Malbec with Tim Ferriss. Great Story
PR — April 6th, 2012, 8:12 am
I am extremely gifted intellectually, and lately I’ve been gaining a fuller understanding of the detrimental impact this has had on my happiness. I think I’ve been trying to fit in and dumbing myself down for so long that I have no idea what I’d really want to do. I had a very strong need for sex that took priority over mental pursuits, and I devoted much attention to keeping myself model-gorgeous so I could have my pick of partners, but inevitably I found myself involved with men who weren’t anywhere near as smart as me, and I am just now realizing how unfulfilling and frustrating these have been. The mental mismatch was just part of it – emotionally and spiritually I have just been a lot deeper too. Now I’m on a medication that has taken away my desire for sex, and I’m just beginning to consider what I could do with my life now that I don’t have to feed that beast. Maybe an advanced degree in math. I’ve held jobs that others would consider very challenging mentally, but they just haven’t been that interesting to me after the initial learning period. People stop being interesting too. It’s a problem.
Mick — April 23rd, 2012, 10:33 am
Does this remind anyone else of the Seinfeld episode where George stops obsessing about sex and becomes super-intelligent?
Hassan Osman — April 6th, 2012, 8:16 am
Phenomenal and very inspirational post. Thanks Ben (and thank you Tim for sharing). Definitely buying the book.
#3 (Talk about it) is an eye-opener. #5 (Be ballsy) is so true.
I don’t think I’ve really thought about what’s the one thing I’d like to do before I die, but here’s one off the top of my head:
Become the kind of person who at least one other person would add “Play ball with him” on their own bucket list
Zack Aprea — April 6th, 2012, 8:16 am
Start a hedge fund. I’d like to sit on an exotic island all day managing money and live the good life playing the markets.
Tim’s book 4HWW was the start to a radical change in my life that I am forever grateful for. I’ve accomplished many of my goals, which keep getting bigger and make for an excellent and exciting life.
Thanks Tim, you’re the man.
Deveri Johnson — April 7th, 2012, 5:56 pm
I have a copy that I share with all the Couch Surfers who stay with me. It’s dog eared and highlighted every where!
Dan — April 6th, 2012, 8:19 am
Heal someone.
Give someone the shirt off my back – literally.
Run onto the field with a professional rugby team – preferably Ulster (N. Ireland)
Simon — April 6th, 2012, 12:24 pm
I’ve given my shirt to someone in need before, funny how something so simple can be so rewarding.
- I’d suggest a massive rave for an eye opening experience
Mark Manson — April 6th, 2012, 8:20 am
Awesome.
There is a bizarre power of writing down goals that seem absurd. When I was broke, unemployed and 24, I wrote down five things to accomplish before I was 30. At the time they seemed absurd (be fluent in five languages, visit over 40 countries, etc.) I’m 28 now and I’ve crossed three of the five off the list and am on pace to nail the other two. I had never heard of the Buried Life guys, but they’re speaking to my heart big-time here.
Mark
Tyler — April 12th, 2012, 3:20 pm
Mark,
Avid reader of your site. Nice to see you on here too. You help just as many people as these guys, I for one sincerely appreciate it.
Tyler
Chris — April 6th, 2012, 8:22 am
Thank you for one of the most inspirational posts I’ve ever read.
Made my Friday afternoon.
Chris
Chris Powers — April 6th, 2012, 8:22 am
Hey Buried Life Crew,
Congrats on the book launch. My roomate and I went to see you at CMU and he is currently in possession of a onesie. Looking forward to seeing you all continue to grow and cheers to getting the most out of life!
@Tim,
I’m on a mini retirement in Europe post-graduation and your stuff has been a huge inspiration.
As for the question: I would like to build a community of people focused on living the life they want and help others facilitate those dreams.
To all, keep on being who you are and encouraging others to do the same!
Isaiah Hankel, Ph.D. — April 6th, 2012, 8:26 am
1. Fly into space with Richard Branson
2. Speak in front of 100,000 people
3. Build a multi-million dollar business from scratch
4. Start a national scholarship fund for high school wrestlers
5. Create a work of art and display in at Musée du Louvre
“Any mistakes you commit through audacity are easily corrected with more audacity.” -Robert Greene
Incredible article.
Matt — April 6th, 2012, 8:28 am
Scuba dive with whales.
Eva Morgan — April 6th, 2012, 8:30 am
Open a hot yoga studio!
MCC — April 6th, 2012, 8:30 am
“What do you want to do before you die?”
Oh so many things, but top of the list is:
Star in many major motion picture films!
(Especially ones where I get to kick ass!)
XD
Zach McMahon — April 6th, 2012, 8:32 am
Tim, Buried Life guys,
You guys are such a huge source of motivation and inspiration to me. I have a bucket list I started a couple months ago, but there is one item still in my mind that I haven’t been able to write down. Growing up I lived with my mother. We lived off her very low income and credit cards. There might not have been lots of stuff or fancy food in the house, but there was plenty of laughter. My dream when I was very little was to have a brother or sister. When I was around 6 or 7 years old my mother got pregnant. She didn’t tell me but I was smart and somehow I found out. I also found out a little later that she chose to abort the pregnancy because she did not feel she could support the two of us. Ever since then my heart has been broken. I feel like it’s my duty to live twice the life I normally would have; to honor my sibling. That’s why # 17 for me is to help an expectant mother choose life. I am not spending time protesting outside of clinics or anything…I don’t like that, but I feel that if I hold this in my heart then God will find a way to put an opportunity in front of me.
Thanks for the inspiration guys, good luck to us all…
Zach
Mike — April 6th, 2012, 8:32 am
Working on a couple of trips. One is to travel to Lhasa, Tibet and trek up to the first level Mt. Everest base camp. The other is to ride the trans siberian railway as part of an around the world compact tour. Both i know can be done pretty easily, but its amazing how life gets in the way. And its not the money, its the breakaway in time.
Allen — April 6th, 2012, 8:33 am
Learn to surf. It’s been too long coming.
Jay — April 6th, 2012, 10:38 am
Allen – Here’s my learn to surf story. I hope it helps to inspire:
I moved to California and “dreamed” about learning to surf but never took action. I kicked the can down the road for four years with maybe 6 feeble attempts to learn. Enter the catalyst: My wife became pregnant with my first son. I deeply internalized the commitment that was ahead and realized that It was now or never.
Soon after I grabbed my 9′ 1″ long board that had become an ornament in my living room, waxed it up and drove down to the beach at day break. My plan was simple. I committed to put my board in the water every morning until I was riding waves. It took exactly two weeks. After this, popping up and steering the board came as natural as riding a bicycle. It’s 10 years later and it has become a father-son activity and is still my absolute favorite way to spend my free time.
Give your self a deadline and commit. It will change your life.
Jay
Na-Uh — April 6th, 2012, 8:36 am
“We didn’t come from money.”
Really? Really. I guess they “crashed” private school? Those boys come from money; I know their parents. Nothing to be ashamed of, but that statement is simply NOT TRUE.
Tyler — April 6th, 2012, 8:37 am
I want to start a business, but more importantly, write and release newsletters via email every week about music. From Wagnerian Opera to discussing Debussy’s use of motif and lack of melody. I’m only 17, but this would make me very excited.
JP Paquette — April 6th, 2012, 8:38 am
Before I die, I want to meet Tim Ferris and Joe Rogan in person. Preferably at the same time. Both have impacted my life in so many ways with their advice on how to unbury life and live it to its fullest.
Zed Shah — April 6th, 2012, 8:39 am
Hey guys first of all what an enormously inspiring post to read through. Im at a stage in my life where i’ve been running my own relatively successful business online. Things have been good but a couple of months back I was kinda depressed, simply because I really didnt feel content with the work I was doing and the routine I had
I decided there and then to completely turn things round and day to day, more and more, im doing the stuff I enjoy e.g. Capoeira, Playing guitar, Learning about film making, etc
And you know the crazy thing ..im making more money in my business by spending less time on it, go figure!
Oh and one thing I wanna do before I die ….settle down with an awesome woman and raise some kids
Much love
Peace
Zed
Leif — April 6th, 2012, 8:40 am
I am looking for 3 or 4 like minded individuals to complete our list together., contact me on my website. Dr Hankel you sound like the man to team up with. Contact me!
Maggie Giamalvo — April 6th, 2012, 8:43 am
I want to meet and skate with the Pittsburgh Penguins… including Mario Lemieux.
Dave Lawrence — April 6th, 2012, 8:44 am
I want to meet Tim Ferriss, shake his hand, and thank him for changing the way I look at the world and my potential to impact it.
Ryan B. — April 6th, 2012, 8:44 am
Agreed, one of the best posts Tim. Thank you so much guys…
My list:
Create, run, and sell a business.
Free my family and 10 strangers from financial burdens – for life.
Travel the world with my soon to be wife.
Teach my kids through example how to live a free, creative, loving, and impactful life.
I’m enjoying reading all of your lists!
Thanks again,
Ryan
Tim — April 6th, 2012, 8:44 am
H.A.L.O. jump
Jean-Paul Behrens — April 6th, 2012, 8:44 am
Amazing article, shared the word and inspiration with people closest to me.
This is probably the single most important realization people need to come up to:
“Simply put, it’s not real until you write it down. And by that I mean, take your dream and turn it into a project. Dreams have a funny way of staying dreams. But a project is something that needs to be done.”
Treat dreams and “ideas” as projects or proposals instead and its almost like a switch flips in your head that prompts you to take action!
Again awesome article, will look into The Buried Life.
Gracias!
JP
Patrick Cusse — April 6th, 2012, 8:46 am
Spend a week with my love in the most romantic beach resort in the world. Whatever it is, wherever it is.
Benjamin Ficker — April 6th, 2012, 8:49 am
Tim, Pay attention to number 10
1. Be debt free
2. Get in “Cover Model” shape
3. Spend 30 days traveling Europe
4. Visit the ice hotel
5. Visit Easter Island
6. Raise 2 kids (at least)
7. Run 3 self sustaining businesses Netting me at least $10k a month each in income with only 4 hours a week invested (total)
8. Own a Condo in Portland’s Pearl District
9. Own a beach front property in Pacific beach San Diego
10. Have Lunch/Dinner with Tim Ferriss
11. Own an Astin Martin DB9
12. Get certified in a defensive driving/stunt driving course
13. Get certified in Kettlebell training
14. Get certified in Bikram Yoga
15. Expertly drive a stick shift
16. Learn CPR
17. Visit Portugal
18. Learn to drive a motorcycle
19. Raise $100k for a charity (not sure which one yet)
20. Run a marathon
21. Visit the 6 good continents (Not a fan of Antartica)
Joel Zaslofsky - Enlightened Resource Management — April 6th, 2012, 11:02 am
Ben, I’d personally settle for a snack, breakfast, brunch or really anything that’s been eaten on Fear Factor if it gave me some time with Tim. Lunch or dinner would be best though.
Mike — April 7th, 2012, 1:31 am
I have done 10 .. sort of
I met Tim at the RKC 2 Kettlebell instructor course. I climbed onto the bus in St Paul to take us to the course and no knowing anyone (I was over from New Zealand) sat next to this guy who then introduced himself as Tim …. I looked at him and then said the obvious … ” I’ve got your book” (4 Hour Work Week as before 4 Hour Body).
All of our lunches were in a group setting in a room so I was technically having lunch with him, but sitting next to him on the bus must still be up there
If I had known his next book was going to be so awesome I would have followed him around like a puppy
Sweeney — April 7th, 2012, 5:27 am
Great post,Tim.I already am Iiving the life,but there is always room for improvement.These young guys are inspiring for a lot of people.Good job!
Angelique — May 9th, 2012, 1:19 pm
Before I die I will
1. See the northern lights.
2. Live in Cape Town for a year
3. Edit a hilarious movie
4. Party in Vegas with a great friend
Luis — April 6th, 2012, 8:50 am
Awesome post! Makes me want to write down that list!
One thing… let’s see. I want to draw a comic that rocks the world!
Gerald — April 6th, 2012, 8:50 am
My goal: to look behind the surface of “green,” at the ways in which a human life actually gets richer and happier when it is lived as the part of this world it really is, in order to bring the entrepreneurial, experimental, can-do attitude of those who want to “lifestyle design” into the world of sustainability, and open up the world of opportunity that lies beyond “eco.”
So, just to change the world for better, because we might all be scrambling for enough to eat and survive extreme weather if things go on as they have been – but there’s no end to the adventure if we finally take on the challenges of really better living.
Loved the article/audacity, especially in its combination of personal goals and altruism!
tyson james dale — April 6th, 2012, 8:50 am
Incredible post Tim.
Dreams do come true, and after reading “The 4-Hour Workweek” for the first time, it felt like I could do anything. I wanted to create a viral commercial at some point, and right after graduating college an opportunity came up that allowed me to do that. Using your principles on productivity, a a best in self esteem from reading your book, a small team and myself created a spec commercial for duck tape that accomplished what I set out to do!
(http://vimeo.com/27268591)
“Happiness is only real when it’s shared,” and I’m happiest when I’m telling stories to people — my stories. Before I die I’m going to write (check), and direct a sci-fi stop-motion feature film. Woo!
Tuper — April 6th, 2012, 8:59 am
Skydive into the Grand Canyon!
Tara — April 6th, 2012, 8:59 am
I am not a dreamer. I have had to equate dreaming with irresponsibility. #1… undo the damage that has caused that lie to take root. #2… Wake up! #3…Start living. #4… Laugh more. Thanks for the inspiring article:-)
Matt Radcliffe — April 6th, 2012, 9:01 am
Now that my time in the army is over, I want to be a best selling writer. I’ve started my little blog thingy and I have a kickstarter project going that I’m pretty sure is going to miss the mark and not get funded. But whatever, I’ll just try again or do the project differently. I’m going to make it happen, by hook or by crook. It just takes time and persistence. Ben, you guys keep rocking it. Tim, you too. Thanks for what you guys do. It shows people like me that it really is possible.
Furio — April 6th, 2012, 9:01 am
The “7 steps” look like the modern edition of Napoleon Hill’s philosophy and yes, they work!
About “be ballsy”, I like the quotation “people always overestimate what they can do in a year and underestimate what they can do in five.”
This means that most of people will give up too soon because “It didnt work out.”
However, if you are persistent enough everything becomes possible! Thank you for remember it to me again ; – )
Jake Williams — April 6th, 2012, 9:01 am
Very inspiring post Tim, thanks for sharing. First I’ve heard of the buried life and can’t wait to read more.
After having moved to Chicago from Maine last summer, it’s been a rough go. But through the community I’ve found here, I’m well on my way. I have a poster of 25 things I want to do this year, and making good traction on all of them already. It keeps me going and helps me see everyday the things I want to do; they’re all there for a reason.
One thing that isn’t on my list for this year, that’s more of an overall life goal, is to never stop learning and then giving back that knowledge. Sharing your more precious idea or skill with another person will always have greater returns than are immediately evident.
Thanks for the inspiration, maybe we’ll cross paths soon!
El-Shig — April 6th, 2012, 9:02 am
One thing: Kite surf all the surfable beaches in the world.
(I’m slightly terrified of open water that doesn’t have a barrier reef, moving on water and running the risk of wiping out and slamming my face into theater, and never kite surfed ever. So just thinking about doing it gets me really excited)
One thing that WILL happen Jan 2013: 10k run from the gates of Mt. Longonot reserve, up the (extinct) volcano, around the crater and back to the gate.
I’ve already got the wheels in motion, I’ve quit my job (my mum is pissed off at me). If i stayed there any longer, I’d be on anti-depressants *again*. I know when my mind and body aren’t happy. Starting other things to make the beginning of a long evolving list going from today till I’m done!
Liza — April 6th, 2012, 9:02 am
Lose weight for good, (aiming for 100lbs). I’ve finished with my fluctuating weight and unleash my healthy, vibrant self and help others be their healthiest. I believe healthy people create kinder, more productive nations and we can see more people like you guys making their dreams real and helping others. I love your message and your commitment and focus!!
Liv Lane — April 6th, 2012, 9:03 am
God, I love this! I believe in the power of intention – that when you believe in a goal and can already feel what achieving will feel like {joy! amazement! pride!}, the universe conspires in your favor to help push your dreams forward. Incredible “coincidences” happen, like Obama seeing your show. Clearly, you’re working from a place of joy – thanks for inspiring all of us to do the same.
Charles — April 6th, 2012, 9:07 am
Really inspiring story right when I needed it!
Travel for a while and get out of my comfort zone. Meet and help wonderful people on the journey.
Def a new book to read on my list
Christopher Shireman — April 6th, 2012, 9:08 am
Awesome post! I’ve seen this happen in my own life a couple of times and this post hits the nail on the head. Here’s my current big dreams list:
1) Build an iPhone game that hits number 1 in the app store
2) Get launched into space on the new sub-orbital tourist flights about to be offered from Virgin Galactic
3) Spend an entire year showing my kids the world.
Loic — April 6th, 2012, 9:10 am
Beautiful guest post and so true!
I’m been soon 6 months that my girlfriend and me, create a blog about crossing things off your bucket list and encouraging people to do so. But no way we can come to such a precise, inspiring and effective manual of how to do it.
So to answer the question; “What do you want to do before you die?”
Just complete and add more things to my bucket list. It’s just so much fun to do it.
Joe — April 6th, 2012, 9:16 am
Motorcycle ride across China
Tour through North Africa
Sail solo across the atlantic
Make a billion dollars
Have a cocktail party in Antarctica with everyone I admire
Stefanie — April 6th, 2012, 9:16 am
Looks like a neat book – just ordered a copy. I have to say, though, that 4HWW is what originally grabbed my by the shoulders, shook me, and reminded me that time is not unlimited.
Since then I managed to quit my job, build a successful business, move from Southern Illinois to Northern California, play with otters, hang glide, get in the water and play with a beluga whale, take a contortion class, charter a yacht, learn flying trapeze, play the accordion, attend clown camp, and a bunch of other cool stuff that’s too long to mention – and there’s always more on the horizon. Life and work take on a totally different meaning when you routinely make progress towards things that are important to you. Hopefully, this book will help even more people take the first step in that direction.
Vinay — April 6th, 2012, 9:17 am
Well done guys, Epic story!
Rebecca — April 6th, 2012, 9:17 am
Bobby, I’m adding ‘travel the world with my future child’ to my list!
At the moment my dreams (soon to be realities) are:
Start my own business (almost there).
Become a filmmaker with my own production company.
Be happy (already achieved that!)
Rebecca
Nicole — April 6th, 2012, 9:21 am
The biggest item on my list right now is go to Africa and work in an orphanage. I have a plane ticket dated May 24, 2012, now I just need $500 more dollars to have a place to stay and food to eat! It is going to happen somehow. The universe conspires to help us when we’re brave and doing what we love!
Greg — April 6th, 2012, 9:27 am
Very inspiring. Reminds me that one of the biggest things limiting our accomplishments are often our own thoughts. Define it. Shake it around. Go for it. Don’t stop.
Looking back at the steps I’ve taken leading up to my latest project really makes me feel grateful. Once you realize your thoughts are the largest roadblock to success, happiness, etc. you switch tracks and things just fall into place.
Kirk Michie — April 6th, 2012, 9:27 am
Great stuff, Tim….thanks for passing along both a great story and a practical guide to making stuff happen….completely consistent w/ your books, the life experiences you share, and exactly what I need today!
Anna — April 6th, 2012, 9:37 am
1. Meet the Dalai Lama
2. Visit the Ganges
3. Write a best-selling book
4. Change someone’s life for the better, whether it be financially, spiritually, physically
5. Own my farm and live completely off the land
6. Make it to the Ellen Degeneres show
7. Become a college professor
8. Join the Peace Corps
9. Work at the 2012 Summer Olympics
“Like attracts like. Just be who you are, calm and clear and bright. Automatically, as we shine who we are, asking ourselves every minute is this what I really want to do, doing it only when we answer yes, automatically that turns away those who have nothing to learn from who we are and attracts those who do, and from whom we have to learn, as well.”–Richard Bach
Ron Moon — April 6th, 2012, 9:38 am
I want to direct my first feature film. It will happen…it must.
Nick Garcia — April 6th, 2012, 9:41 am
Wow, what an awesome group of guys and story! Do you think they added or crossed one off, saying guest post on the blog of Tim Ferriss? That’s definitely on my bucket list now!
I think my bucket list will be 40 things I can do for 4 hours in 4 years!
Kalyn — April 6th, 2012, 9:42 am
Thanks for posting this! It was exactly what I needed to read right now. Before I die, I would like to visit every country and experience one culturally unique thing for each.
Also, I have a question about persistence. I liked how you mentioned not to nag, but to be creative in your approach. How do you decide the difference between going too far and chasing your dreams? I want to appear professional in my approach, especially when its related to business, but sometimes you need that extra oomph. How do you decide when to keep pushing or when to pull back?
Pedro Andrés — April 6th, 2012, 9:43 am
Awesome post, this is my list:
Be a main actor in a big theatrical production.
Be a main actor in a big film production.
Kate Dauksas — April 6th, 2012, 9:46 am
before I die I want to spend a day at Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory! I’m struggling but i’m going to stay optimistic!
forever&always,
kate dauksas
Vania — April 6th, 2012, 9:51 am
Big dreams:
– publish my book (and a whole string of awesome books after that)
– live in a beach house
– give a fantastic talk at TED
– move beyond unnecessary fear
– make out with Tim Ferriss
– returning the favor to people in the world who’ve enriched my life (like making Patrick Rothfuss laugh, writing a song to make Eddie Vedder smile, giving comfort to the Dalai Lama, those sorts of things)
Great post.
goal setting — April 6th, 2012, 9:53 am
I’m so excited for the ways these guys consistently defy the odds, transcending every perception of limitation, but what most touches me is that for each item they accomplish, they help someone else accomplish one of theirs. That’s extraordinary. Outstanding Karma. Thank you for showing us how to do it. Wishing you the best in all of your future endeavors. I know you’ll have continued success by virtue of the way you approach life.
Live Your Dreams,
Jill Koenig
Dolly — April 6th, 2012, 9:55 am
Not many trailers, certainly not home-made jobs, create visceral responses, but when I saw yours, it was heart-shaking. It’s inspiring. It’s moving. It tells me that it’s okay not to listen to those who keep telling me to be realistic. That it’s okay to have big dreams, because it is entirely possible to make them happen. I haven’t heard about you guys before, but I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your journey.
Thank you for bringing some “unrealistic” dreams to this world, and for showing the realists that reality is what we make it.
Morgan — April 6th, 2012, 10:02 am
I want to sail around the world.
Anne — April 6th, 2012, 10:02 am
I want to row with some female Olympic level rowers. It’s always been my dream to row at a higher level but my current location doesn’t have the best options.
Archie Cunningham — April 6th, 2012, 10:02 am
Wakeboarding with Tim Ferriss.
Erik D. Kennedy — April 6th, 2012, 10:04 am
1.) Shave my face with a whaling harpoon.
This has been the number one item on my bucket list since I read Moby Dick back in high school. Queequeg is pretty much the most baller fictional character of all time.
Right now I’m working on 21.) Climb Mt. Rainier.
Bucket lists are awesome, and I started a group of friends that would meet every month as an accountability group for their life goals. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done, and you can read about it here: http://thebucketlistsociety.com
Has it made a difference? Since joining, another member and I’ve climbed Kilimanjaro, another friend has finished his novel, and two members who had on their list “Fall in love and get married” are now engaged to be married this summer.
Hot dang, life is good.
Charlie — April 6th, 2012, 10:07 am
Surfing off Mexico! I know I could do this for maybe a couple grand, but the problems are time off and child care. Surfed only once (at Waikiki), nearly barfed on the gentle waves, had a fantastic time…
Another from my list: Be the guy that they ask for lectures about several subjects at sci-fi conventions. Have to build credibility for that – and cash flow for the hotels and airline tickets.
Bachngoc — April 6th, 2012, 10:15 am
Before i die i want to swing threw a jungle like Tarzan.
Anne — April 6th, 2012, 10:20 am
You guys are so inspiring! I’m at different life stage from you, having already done a lot of amazing things like travel in Peru. I’m retiring early due to stress.
My passion is Irish traditional music, and my dream is to travel in the west of Ireland and play music there. Also looking for the man of my dreams, and if he speaks Irish, so much the better. I will have to be really creative and persistent to make this happen– but you make me feel that it’s possible.
Go raibh maith agat!
le0pard — April 6th, 2012, 10:24 am
Wow, such an incredibly inspiring article! Here are a few of mine, in no particular order:
1. Play professional paintball
2. Obtain the physique to have the opportunity to become a fitness model
3. Help someone become completely debt free
4. Meet and have long discussions with both Tim Ferriss & Eric Thomas
5. Have zero debt
6. Be able to support my lifestyle living purely off interest bearing $
I’m definitely going to attempt the items mentioned in the article.
Peter Atsal — April 6th, 2012, 10:26 am
I want to: gain 2 inches on my height
…Unfortunately, I think some goals are actually impossible…and they’re often not as eye-catching as “play B-Ball with Obama” either.
Zero — April 7th, 2012, 12:24 pm
Hey Peter,
i think there is a way to gain height…its in China…they break your legs…i think its painful and takes sometimes…but there are surely ways…
Best,
Jose Lara — April 14th, 2012, 12:10 am
Peter, depending on your posture, you just might be able to make that 2 inches happen. Check out 8 Steps to a Pain Free Back by Esther Gokhale: http://www.amazon.com/Steps-Pain-Free-Back-Solutions-Shoulder/dp/0979303605
Michele — April 6th, 2012, 10:30 am
Hello there,
i would like to record my music and publish a cd, lp or whatever format…
By the wa, very good post.
Regards!
Brogan — April 6th, 2012, 10:32 am
Backpacking around Europe. Meet new friends there, share experiences, learn the unique and gorgeous languages, feel the love and share the love. I simply want to spread the idea of one love.
Jenn — April 6th, 2012, 10:36 am
Great Post!
Very inspiring guys!
My one thing? To never feel as though I fell short of being who I am meant to be.
Lora Nicolai — April 6th, 2012, 10:37 am
Great post. Never heard of the guys, but strangely enough I made my own bucket list half a year ago and started ticking off things. It’s really true that once you write it down you start thinking how to do it and even the most difficult things all of a sudden look and are achievable. Dreaming big is not only for young guys with no obligations. You can have it all if you really want it and, responsibly, act upon it. I am an example of this. Check out my bucket list:
http://www.feminineandpurple.com/2011/08/my-bucket-list-there-is-no-random-in.html
Kathleen — April 6th, 2012, 10:42 am
Very inspiring! I need to read this every day just to remember not to fall into a rut…
I would like to:
become a full-time affiliate marketer
live near the ocean on a semi-permanent basis
become a whale activist
help my daughter make her dreams a reality
get to know europe better
start a non-profit
open a photography gallery
become a scuba diving master
Jennifer Hackworth — April 6th, 2012, 10:45 am
Dine with Danny DeVito, Dog the Bounty Hunter and Richard Simmons.
Create art for the Venice Biennale.
Hike the Appalachian Trail.
Build a crazy castle orphanage.
Build a music venue with a sunset view.
David Ngo — April 6th, 2012, 10:50 am
Retire my mom by founding my own startup.
Jennifer Garza — April 6th, 2012, 10:51 am
What I want to do before I die…figure out my divine purpose and fulfill it
And have as much fun as I possibly can along the way!
Linda McFeeters — April 6th, 2012, 10:56 am
Sing with Reba McIntire and Garth Brooks…separately or together… It WILL happen
)
Alexander Ray — April 6th, 2012, 10:56 am
I want to change the world with technology to make a smarter, better, more humane place to live for everyone.
Joel Zaslofsky - Enlightened Resource Management — April 6th, 2012, 11:00 am
Wow guys. I didn’t know of your existence before today but I’m going to keep track of it now.
Most people who want to do big things don’t have a constant and physically present support network like the four of you. How much of your ability to achieve is based on the fact there is four of you and that you all agree to achieve the same things?
Obviously, nobody accomplishes anything alone but most people take an individual approach to crossing things off their “here’s what I want to do before I die list”. If you don’t feel like most of these things could be achieved individually what would you advise to the person who wants passionate partners to achieve the BIG things but doesn’t naturally have them like you do?
Ben Winters — April 6th, 2012, 11:05 am
I want to attain enlightenment and apotheosis through the rainbow body. To do: 1) Meditate 2) Vow awareness and compassion.
Elise Cowan — April 6th, 2012, 11:10 am
I want to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony.
Andrew — April 6th, 2012, 11:23 am
Play agusta national golf club
Sam Van Horn — April 6th, 2012, 11:32 am
Save someones life
Carlos Garbiras — April 6th, 2012, 11:34 am
Go for a run with Lionel Messi.
Have coffee with Sir Richard Branson and Tim Ferris!!
Mark — April 6th, 2012, 11:45 am
Thanks for the stories of how you accomplished so many of your goals!
I’ve always wanted to shoot for Vogue or Elle magazine. Now it’s time to get started on making that happen!
sameer — April 6th, 2012, 11:46 am
just one of the 100′s on my list
Drive a Formula-1 Car
Daniel Keith — April 9th, 2012, 7:47 am
Yes to that!!!!!
I have always wanted to do that too! when you figure it out let me know!
or vice versa!
Closest ive ever come was a formula 4
There are lots of driving schools out there that offer similar cars you can drive.
and to reply to Marc list “cure your moms diabetes” I am the furthest thing from a doctor but Google marks daily apple and diabetes my dad is using his philosophies with great success and there and lots of people who have over come this disease with this approach give it a shot!! I hope all the best for your mother!
peace and love
you can contact me at danielkeith.ca
Sima — April 6th, 2012, 11:49 am
I love your show
I did what I thought I should and ended up seriously miserable, but in the last couple years I’ve managed to pull myself together and take some of your advice.
~S
Sarah — April 6th, 2012, 12:00 pm
Great post, just what I needed to get me out of a stuck-in-the-mud type feeling
I have my own list of 100+ things I want to do before I die, but after reading this I’m thinking I need to raise the bar on a lot of the items on the list seeing as most of them are awfully… simple! I need to challenge myself more.
Thanks Ben and Tim!
Paul — April 6th, 2012, 12:01 pm
Really got me thinking again. Outstanding post
1-sail around the world
2-sky diving
3-riding the TDF route
4-heli-skiing
Chris Reynolds — April 6th, 2012, 12:05 pm
I want to create a massive monetary fund that creates enough interest to feed every starving child in the world. In todays world with todays technology there is ABSOLUTELY NO reason a child should die of starvation.
Thanks for the inspiration guys!!!
Chris — April 6th, 2012, 12:06 pm
Tim, I’m totally with you! I’ve not jumped out of any plane before, but there’s this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWfph3iNC-k it’s this guy Jeb Corliss who really inspired me to go and do what’s called “proximity flying”. It looks so amazing to go and do! Definitely need some training first…
thanor — April 6th, 2012, 12:07 pm
Beautiful guest post and so true!
I’m been soon 6 months that my girlfriend and me, create a blog about crossing things off your bucket list and encouraging people to do so. But no way we can come to such a precise, inspiring and effective manual of how to do it.
So to answer the question; “What do you want to do before you die?”
Just complete and add more things to my bucket list. It’s just so much fun to do it.
Cynthia — April 6th, 2012, 12:21 pm
I’ve actually done everything on my list — pursued every dream, seen the world, reached my goals. Now I need to work on another list. Of course, this site is good for finding ideas for list 2. However, I don’t think of it as a bucket list, just a “keep like interesting” list.
Mike S — April 6th, 2012, 12:23 pm
You guys rule! Way to go for being creative and perssistent and for sharing your story. I’d like to start a chain of not-for-profit stores and online business that only sells ethically made and paid for, natural, and when possible, organic products that are affordable to all and that makes it easy for people to hangs their consumer behaviours to positively impact the health of the world and humanity.
Thanks for letting me share here.
Appreciate any advice/help you can provide.
Continued success and strength to you guys.
Mike
fum — April 6th, 2012, 12:48 pm
That is not something to be proud about, though, I’m sure having drinks with Stalin would have been awesome as well.
Sherman Chong — April 6th, 2012, 12:49 pm
I want to fly off the empire state building in a wing suit
Simon Dannapfel — April 6th, 2012, 12:55 pm
Great post!!!
I dream to make a documentary about health and vitality in different cultures around the world
Soren Harrison — April 6th, 2012, 12:58 pm
Great post. Love it!
My bucket list:
1) Build SolSolution into a $B social enterprise. Students deserve it and our world needs it.
I’m sure there will be others along the way.
- Soren
Carl — April 6th, 2012, 12:59 pm
First, I want to be the All Being, Master of Time Space and Dimension…
Marty Cornish — April 6th, 2012, 1:04 pm
This is why I love this blog so much. Great. Just great.
Ben, Tim or others, do you ever find that people react negatively toward you when you guys ask them deep questions off the bat? I’ve found Brendon Burchard’s idea about people living a “caged” life to be true sometimes. Even when being entirely genuine, people can distrust a question like “What was the best time of your life?” or your question “What’s something you want to do before you die?” Obviously a few sour people shouldn’t stop us from asking these questions, but it can be difficult to ask strangers (or even friends) questions like that.
Again, great post. Tim and Ben, keep it up. Even the 1%ers that actually believe they can do something valuable need a push sometimes.
Rachel Rodgers — April 6th, 2012, 1:12 pm
Live in a beautiful house in the South of France.
Marcus — April 6th, 2012, 1:17 pm
My absolute dream would be to live abroad and become an internationally known artist. I’m currently in Berlin on holiday and find the art scene here so inspirational.
Chris Hughes — April 6th, 2012, 1:20 pm
This is absolutely awesome. One of the biggest things on my life is to positively impact the lives of over 1 million people. I’ll be taking my first trip out of the country with just a friend later on in this year and planning more traveling for the next year.
Traveling and living in different places for a few months is one of the other major things on my list.
Glenn Barres — April 6th, 2012, 1:24 pm
Great story. I’ve been doing those 6 things for a while now with not much luck, I think my goals and dreams are too big for most people. One thing that is a difference is that I was not willing to start my journey with a handful of lies as these guys have done.
“I had fabricated a wedding to get time off of work; and we pretended we owned a production company to raise money for a camera and gas for the RV.”
Which makes you wonder how much deception this lifestyle requires.
Before I die I want to build a utopia or at the very least the building blocks for one.
Rob — April 6th, 2012, 1:24 pm
Nice post. It’s always worth stopping and thinking about it. I had a bucket list a couple of years ago and achieved a lot travelling around the world and building a ‘successful’ blog.
I’ve become a bit boring since, and have different goals, but its still nice to be reminded that the big goals should get some concentration too.
Now it’s time to take that photo to be published in National Geographic
My longest dream/item on bucket list so far.
Trevor — April 6th, 2012, 1:36 pm
I want to do or create something that has a positive impact on at least one billion lives. Doesn’t have to be a huge impact but I want to leave this world better than i found it. For further inspiration I highly recommend the book “Abundance: the World is Better than you think.”
Jeff — April 6th, 2012, 1:43 pm
I Discovered this miraculous show a few years ago when MTV was running a “Buried Life” mini- marathon. If you guys are reading this, i just want to say you are another wonderful reason for me to be a proud Canadian.
kirstie — April 6th, 2012, 1:51 pm
holy shit, this made me cry.
i want to rap with nicki minaj.
Andrzej — April 6th, 2012, 2:11 pm
Great story!
my top 5
1. Speak at TED conference
2. Never again work a boss
3. Visit a new country every year
4. Slam dunk on Rucker park
5. Write a book, which sells 10000 copies
….
Sean — April 6th, 2012, 2:11 pm
Possibly your best blog entry yet Tim. Thanks for another kick in the pants…
Jose Castro — April 6th, 2012, 3:35 pm
Agreed. =) Great post!! This really fuels my inner desire to do more and not let anything stop me.
Cheers!!
Malcolm McLeod — April 6th, 2012, 2:18 pm
Love how you transformed you melancholic/”pissed off ness” into something amazing, with your mates. And that you wake up & help strangers do something on their list, awesome awesome awesome.
My list
1. Beat my visiting cancer
2. Got a photo of me surfing a big fat barrel tube to pass down to generations of my line ahead to say you can do “this”, or whatever your” this” is, you have “this” juice in your veins.
3.Get you guys a speaking gig in Australia, have your energy visit/stay @ my place overlooking the beach in Coolangatta, surf eat talk play table tennis, nourish you up for the next part of your adventure
Collin Ferry — April 6th, 2012, 2:18 pm
Very cool. I’ve been crossing stuff off my list. I’ve been able to check off Skydiving/Scuba-diving/motorcycling.
I’d love to jump off a cliff with one of those wing-suits on. It looks terrifying and liberating.
rob henderson — April 6th, 2012, 2:22 pm
be interviewed dave letterman on the lateshow
Patty — April 6th, 2012, 2:36 pm
This is inspiring. What do I want to do before I die? No holds barred. Time to get started on that list…
#1 – Finish the Disability Ministry Certificate
#2 – Learn to speak Spanish fluently
#3 – See the sunset on the Pacific Ocean
There’s plenty more, but these are a good start.
Grant McMeekin — April 6th, 2012, 2:45 pm
I want to create a social documentary, either about rural homelessness or a psychological disorder such as schizophrenia, alzheimer’s, Obsesive Compulsive disorder, etc.
Now I’m currently in step #3 of my dream of traveling to all 50 states in a RV blogging and shooting a documentary about the lesser known side of America.
Daniel Massicotte — April 6th, 2012, 2:49 pm
Before I die, I want to: Earn $1,000,000 selling insurance for SunLife, within the space of 1 year.
Matthew Tuttle Benjamin — April 6th, 2012, 2:56 pm
1. Figure out what it is that I want to do.
and the rest will take care of itself…
Rachel Yonda — April 6th, 2012, 2:58 pm
THANK YOU Ben & Tim! This story is just what I needed as I plunge into unfamiliar territory with the goals I’ve set for myself this year. Currently training for a marathon in June, and this summer will be volunteering as a counselor at a camp for kids with special needs.
In the bigger picture:
Travel- too many places to name but exploring where my ancestors came from in different parts of Scandinavia is at the top of the list.
Keep participating in endurance sports to raise money for medical research and other causes. Should I just pick some ridiculous amount of money as a goal to raise over my lifetime, oh, lets say, 500k? Is a million just ape-crazy? I’m 26, I’ve got time!
Learn how to fly a plane. I’m obsessed with planes/the history of aviation but oddly enough, also a fearful flyer. So I think it’s the biggest, craziest thing I could do for myself personally. That’s one that I didn’t even think of until this moment, so thanks for giving us the thread here to think out loud..
Lastly, I’m an animator, I’ve worked on shows, commercials, etc. Pitching and winning my own show/project/film/whatever would be the ultimate. I’m wrapping up a pilot that my buddies and I funded through a Kickstarter, we’ll see where it goes!
Thanks for the positivity, it’s a rare thing in this crazy world, and contagious.
Doug Crowe — April 6th, 2012, 3:01 pm
Inspired! After reading, I put pen to paper. I’ll dispense with the “Financial independence” stuff because that’s all pretty typical. Top 10 of the list, however is personal and eclectic:
1. Have my daughters speaking with me again
2. Flying in the Reno Air Races
3. Earn a patent
4. Get my seaplane rating
5. Fly around the world in my airplane
6. Be a TED speaker
7. Dive the Great Barrier reef
8. Launch my non-profit “Wings of Purpose” for disadvantages youth
9. Laugh every single day
10. Place 10,000 orphans in loving homes
Todd — April 6th, 2012, 3:05 pm
Tim,
Great post, thank you. This could not have come at a better time. I have many goals I want to achieve, several are being worked on at the moment, such as:
1) Learning Hungarian – My great grandfather brought my last name to America from Hungary. I would love to see if I can trace my roots back there/ find any possible long lost relatives. Also I’ve been to Budapest twice and fell in love with it. So I would also like to live there for a while.
2) Play guitar like John Lee Hooker – I’ve been playing guitar for many years , all different styles from punk to metal to rock n roll. JLH’s style is almost inimitable, but I’d like to come close.
3) Build a successful internet based business (or businesses) that consistently pull $1000 a day. Something I can run from a beach in Thailand or a rented apartment in Prague. Failed with one idea already (well, not exactly failed, just didn’t really succeed, but learned A LOT!) working on the next muse.
3a) If I am successful in this then I would like to help a small group of people to achieve this same goal.
4) Go on tour with my rock band, this is in the works along with our album release.
4a) Teach younger bands how to get their name and music out there in hopes of getting signed. My band is signed to a major label and while its easier to get your name and music out there, getting signed is tough these days.
My biggest goal in life though is a trip around the world, but not by your typical methods. I would like to purchase a late model Toyota Land Cruiser and outfit it for a drive around the world. Something that can withstand everything from driving through the Darien Gap to rural dirt roads in Northern Laos.
Thanks again Tim, you truly are an inspiration to those of us seeking to live more fulfilled lives.
As they say in Hungarian: egészségére!
Jordan Ellico — April 6th, 2012, 3:11 pm
Before I die, I want to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl.
Michael Freeman — April 6th, 2012, 3:17 pm
I want to do two things before I die. Get a song i’ve written on the radio and find my four brothers who got adopted out of my family when we were all young.
Jordan Bischoff — April 6th, 2012, 3:22 pm
Hey,
I’m Jordan & I’m 14 years old. My cousin showed me you guys a couple summers ago & I’ve been obsessed ever since. I have been so inspired that I’ve actually gone after things on my list. I’ve tried contacting people, make plans everything. It gives you an amazing “rush”, it makes you glow. Thank You for showing me to live for the experiences that make your heart pound faster.
#66 Dance with Derek Hough
Michael — April 6th, 2012, 3:24 pm
My top two are to live in New Zealand for a year and to make my music my life.
Graeme — April 6th, 2012, 3:28 pm
What an awesome story.
Some things are truly impossible. But many, many things are completely achievable, except that people never try.
You’ve inspired me to start a bucket list. I’ve already been acting on long run plans, but I’ve tended to forget to include some dreams in them, too.
By the way, Tim, I just noticed that your copyright notice is 2007-2010. I’m sure that matters not in the slightest, but thought you should know.
Kathleen — April 6th, 2012, 3:31 pm
My teenagers introduced me to your show and I was hooked! You guys are such an inspiration! I recently celebrated a milestone birthday and decided that I would create a list of 50 things I wanted to accomplish in my “Fantastic Fifty” year of life. I’ve checked some off the list like donating over 8 inches of hair to a non-profit organization that helps kids with hairloss, but I have many more items to complete in the next 7 months. I’ll use Ben’s six steps to help me get there. Thanks guys for kick-starting my mission!
K — April 6th, 2012, 3:41 pm
Thanks for this Tim
I had never heard of these guys. V inspiring!
I love the boys point of the power in taking it off the dream list & on to the to do list. I.e turning it into a project
Erik D. Kennedy — April 6th, 2012, 4:04 pm
1.) Shave my face with a whaling harpoon.
This has been the number one item on my bucket list since I read Moby Dick back in high school. Queequeg is pretty much the most baller fictional character of all time.
Right now I’m working on 21.) Climb Mt. Rainier.
Bucket lists are awesome, and I started a group of friends that would meet every month as an accountability group for their life goals. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done, and you can read about it at my website.
Has it made a difference? Since joining, another member and I’ve climbed Kilimanjaro, another friend has finished his novel, and two members who had on their list “Fall in love and get married” are now engaged to be married this summer.
Hot dang, life is good.
Alexa — April 6th, 2012, 4:16 pm
1.Have more than 5 kids.
2.Adopt an orangutan.
3.Spend a month is France.
4.Grow my hair out so it’s longer than my butt.
5.Build my dream home.
6.Own a purple challenger, orange charger, and lime green mustang.
7.Be married in less than a year and a half.
8.Find a doctor that can actually figure out what is wrong with me.
9.Be financially stable enough to where I can buy what I want without having to worry about money.
10.Be happy with how I look.
Valerie — April 6th, 2012, 4:16 pm
While I admire their gumption, from the stories they tell, they lie, cheat, steal, and behave with no regard for the law to get what they want. Hardly admirable.
So now that they’ve made themselves famous by questionable means, they have access to celebrities. Goody. Lovely role models.
No thanks.
Jordan — April 7th, 2012, 3:37 pm
think what you want– but these guys are truly amazing heroes.
no disrespect to you but i believe these guys understand the true meaning of life & maybe some of us need to learn it. i dare you to make a bucket list, i dare you to try.
Valerie — April 19th, 2012, 5:15 am
Gutsy, YES. Heroes? Not by any stretch of the imagination. Citing them as heroes is a classic example of what’s wrong with people today. There is no higher purpose or noble goal to their shenanigans. They did it for selfish purposes and to attain fame. Based on their methods (and fame being the goal) their charitable acts were just ends to the same means.
David Lansom — April 6th, 2012, 4:18 pm
My name is Dave Lansom.
I read this post from a warship stationed in Yokosuka, Japan…sent it to some of my peers…highly inspirational!
I am a college and gig trained bass player with 14 years of experience and what I really want to do is play bass in a kickass rock band in front of no less than 10000 people! Or more…TV would be best! And I want to do this by the end of 2013…
I would also love to start an organization that provides musical instruments and instruction materials to orphanages worldwide. I had the oppurtunity to help out with some construction at an orphanage in Indonesia…the children had xylophones, drums, and melodicas…and they put on a show for us. Unforgettable.
Good luck with your goals everyone and Thank You Mr. Ferris for building your empire…
Bernadette — April 6th, 2012, 4:30 pm
I had an epiphany at my last birthday, since I realized I had maybe 20 good years left, and decided I was not going to do anything that wasn’t fun or didn’t inspire me. I have a bucket list and am working on crossing things off.
I am also ready to fall madly in love again.
I applaud you guys for figuring out what’s really important at such a young age – some people will never get it!
Can’t wait to read your book.
Carolyn — April 6th, 2012, 4:34 pm
Just read your book and it always puts a fire in my belly. You guys spread around hope. Watching your show inspired me to do what seemed crazy at the time and fundraise so that I spent my last summer, volunteering with elephants in Sri Lanka. My ultimate dream is to travel around the world for a year, everywhere and anywhere. It’s on the backburner currently because I’m trying accomplishing another of my items:
Become a veterinarian. I’m almost done with the second year.
I want to run a half marathon
Ride in a hot air balloon
Touch someone’s life the way you guys have
Hanging out with the Buried Life boys would also be a dream come true
Thanks for all the inspiration!
Liam — April 6th, 2012, 5:21 pm
Best post in a while matey,good stuff Tim
Chris Hanlon — April 6th, 2012, 5:26 pm
Thanks guys!
P
I hadn’t heard of The Buried Life before. -Whether it is because I am in NZ or because I am too old I don’t know
But I found this post inspirational.
The one thing I want to do before I die is to find a way to help 10,000 small business owners get what they wanted from their business when they originally started it.
(Why 10,000? -That’s the biggest number I can concieve of right now).
Victoria — April 6th, 2012, 5:32 pm
I love the thought that your goals don’t need to impress anyone else. Don’t aim for what you think you SHOULD do, aim for what’s in your heart!
Myrna Cabello — April 6th, 2012, 5:35 pm
Win a Grammy, Tony, and an Oscar.
Andy O — April 6th, 2012, 5:56 pm
Goal:
Work for the Chicago Cubs, in ANY official capacity, and contribute to them winning the World Series.
Yeah, I aimed big.
Great article and great outlook on life!
Thanks Buried Life Crew and Tim for sharing it with us.
Bea — April 6th, 2012, 6:00 pm
Great article.
My belief has always been that anything and everything is possible as long as you put 100% into getting it.
Keep it up.
Jamie Thom — April 6th, 2012, 6:02 pm
1. Make a box office #1 movie.
2. Go in to space and see the Earth from above.
Joey — April 6th, 2012, 6:15 pm
I think the most overlooked step in the process is putting it on paper. As mentioned dreams tend to remain dreams but when you write it down and preferably view it on a daily basis you start to attract things to make it happen. Congrats to you guys and keep dreaming! Very inspiring.
Robert — April 6th, 2012, 6:35 pm
Wicked!
I would want to pull off a sophisticated theft – I wouldn’t care to keep the item and would return it immediately somehow….similar to The Thomas Crown Affair…… but something more adrenaline packed like repelling down the side of a building while wearing night vision goggles and cutting the glass type shit – crawling through the duct work and bypassing the security system….high tech type stuff.
I dont really care to steal anything…. just the thrill and challenge of getting past the watch of others.
Matt Makowski — April 6th, 2012, 6:43 pm
I didn’t want to leave this article without rising to the challenge of putting something down. Wow…this may not end up being THE one thing…since I will now start a bucket list for real. One of the items will be to visit every country in the world and help someone start their bucket list in that country. And now, onward and upward.
Bob Gibbons — April 6th, 2012, 6:44 pm
I want to host a syndicated radio talk/call-in show which has a small business owner as the guest. Callers would give advice and talk about what has worked for them with the goal of helpimg the guest’s business to grow and employ more people.
Greg jones — April 6th, 2012, 6:45 pm
Hello Tim.
Thank you for reminding us the only limits we have are the one’s we put on ourseves. I would love for you to speak at our North Bay Networking Group meeting. It would be an honor and inspiration for you to be our Keynote speaker.
Greg Jones
Founder of North Bay Networking Group
Benny — April 6th, 2012, 6:56 pm
Thanks for that post. It’s one of the most inspiring things I’ve read I’ve read in awhile. I need to go find old episodes of the Buried life now.
Tim, thanks for getting Ben to tell the story about Obama. How that happened was the best part of the whole post.
Michael — April 6th, 2012, 6:59 pm
Very inspiring post. Just the shot in the arm I needed.
My list probably looks less than hip to Californian technophiles-but would have to include:
Play a Rachmaninoff recital on the piano like Valentina Lisitsa
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4QB7ugJnHgs
Conduct the Berlin Phil orchestra (the best orchestra in the world)
Wow…actually, like Ben said, I’m going to have to really think about this one.
Once you allow yourself to think big, I guess you really do have to think what you actually want, not just what seems possible…
Michael — April 6th, 2012, 7:01 pm
I love the George Elliott quote. So optimistic. What a brilliant philosophy!
zula — April 6th, 2012, 7:20 pm
i want to be triliioneer….but iam villager,live at little village on developing country…could anyone give me advice how to first step?
Audrey — April 6th, 2012, 7:31 pm
Change the world for the better thru book writing.
Jeremy — April 6th, 2012, 7:34 pm
You know it’s funny that what is mentioned here I seem to understand in some way, that you don’t really understand how simple it is to have an impact on someones life. I figured this out by bringing happiness to someone else simply by helping them help me, it was a high I had never experienced, and furthers me on my continuous mission to help others.
I remember coming across The buried life series when it initially aired, it automatically got my attention. I followed these guys for their two seasons, and loved every bit of it! What these four guys have accomplished is nothing short of amazing and is truly inspiring, I now own their book and it is every bit inspiring!
I have found a place in my life now where I am living out a passion and a dream that has become reality.
I hope with and answer to the famous question: “What do you want to do before you die?” , more people will truly start living as well!
Thomas Allan — April 6th, 2012, 7:43 pm
Wow, what an amazing story indeed, the book is on my to-do list for sure. What a beautiful way to live – think big, think positive, and help other people to achieve their dreams too – wow! Truly inspirational!
Andy Cvengros — April 6th, 2012, 7:43 pm
Tim,
Thank you for continually reminding me of the important things in life, helping me to slow down and occasionally raising the hair on my neck with a piece like this.
What life is all about. Carpe Diem.
Andy
Jordan Graham — April 6th, 2012, 7:57 pm
What would I like to do before I die?
I want to go to space.
Jake Thompson — April 6th, 2012, 7:57 pm
Great stuff guys (Tim, thanks for sharing!). Been a huge fan since first seeing the trailer on MTV (and all the episodes thereafter). Love what you all are doing and how you’re changing lives. It’s definitely inspired me to pursue a dream and encourage others with my new business.
Keep positively impacting the world around you and people in it!
Jake Thompson — April 6th, 2012, 8:10 pm
And as far as what do I want to do before I die?
1. Encourage another to compete for the life they have and remind them it’s worth it.
2. Visit New Zealand.
3. Encourage.
4. Build the next “Life Is Good” and the first Compete Every Day.
5. Change lives for the better.
Keep hustling for a better tomorrow guys, all of us are pulling for you!
Jenny — April 17th, 2012, 1:05 am
Stop in Wellington and I’ll buy you coffee
Shawna — April 6th, 2012, 7:58 pm
I want to star in an action movie. I want to be a multi-millionaire. I want to help people feel good about themselves. I want to live in Brazil. I want to be on the cover of Oxygen magazine. I want to meet Tim Ferriss
LOVED this post TIM!!
Joshua — April 6th, 2012, 8:07 pm
1. Have a tour at Silicon Valley.
2. Have a tour at Harvard University.
3. Be fluent in Mandarin.
4. Have a Kindle Fire loaded with 300 bestselling books.
5. Be an author of a bestselling book.
6. Launch a forum website for Filipinos.
7. Be a great table tennis player, better than those high school representatives.
8. Go to a Disneyland and have fun there.
9. Learn how to swim.
10. Have 2 online stores and 20 offline stores.
Got to copy this list and add some more privately. C:
Jill Rowe — April 6th, 2012, 8:27 pm
One thing I really want to do before I die (and in fact in the next year) is go to Africa with Richard Branson’s Virgin Unite group and be with teens and talk to them about understanding the great potential they have within themselves and whatever they want to do with their passions they can. Have them really understand that no matter what their circumstance they can make a big difference in the world, for their families, their communities. I want them to realiz how powerful they are.
Tim Holtkamp — April 6th, 2012, 8:33 pm
I would like to meet Tim Ferriss and spend some time bounceing some of the crazy ideas I have off of him.
Angela — April 6th, 2012, 8:54 pm
I thought it was interesting when I read this post. I work as an ESL teacher in China. This week I taught my students a lesson about Bucket Lists. I spent the class trying to pump them up to accomplish their own dreams, then went back to my office to continue monotony and wonder why I’m unhappy. I show them a short bucket list that I never really put much thought into actually accomplishing. Now I’m going to extend it to at list 50 things and start actually getting it done. Number one: Have coffee with Ewan McGregor and Jude Law.
Janet — April 6th, 2012, 9:09 pm
Years ago I read the Dalai Lama was speaking at Central Park. I wanted to jump on a plane and go. Problem, no cash. So I put it on the list. A few years later to my astonishment I read he would be speaking right near my house. Amazing.
On my list:
Work at a flower shop and blog or have a column about the stories.
Be an artist, painter
Live in Mexico, have condos in Park City & Vegas with pools and hot tubs.
Study massage in Thailand.
Find an incredible designer who will do all the illustrations and graphics for my Pinterest book, free of charge.
Get invited to that ultra swanky Italian looking hotel behind a hotel in Vegas, just off the strip.
Watch my husband win a huge jackpot (to get the invite listed above)
Play ping pong competitively.
Have a personal assistant slash nanny
And the list goes on
Aaron Guy Leroux — April 6th, 2012, 9:10 pm
I want to sail around the world. Sailing lodged itself in my mind at a very young age. It is dangerous, difficult, and romantic. What could be better? For over 20 years I never learned to sail because I get seasick. This year, at 33, I decided that seasickness was a ridiculous obstacle standing in the way of learning to do something I’ve wanted to do my whole life. So I joined a meetup group here in Portland, OR and last Tuesday was my very first time out on the water in a sailboat (complete with wrist bands to keep me from getting sick). I had an incredible experience out on the Colombia river. I met a really warm and generous group of people. The only problem…no wind! We were under diesel power the whole time. Despite that small detail, I’m hooked and what I want now, more than anything else in the world, is to sail around the world. It has been my dream since I was a boy. I’m on my way…but I could use some help.
Richard Hanley Jr. — April 6th, 2012, 9:20 pm
All of y’all are awesome. I want to leave the world better than how I found it. Even if it’s teaching my daughters all I’ve learned in my time here.
Do it big.
Do What’s Worth Doing
http://www.dowhatsworthdoing.com
santosh — April 6th, 2012, 9:24 pm
Wow! Great article!
Would I like to do before I die.
1. Publish an awesome childrens book!
2. Travel to the seven wonders of the world
3. Climb Mt. Ararat, where Noahs Ark., may or may not be.
4. Start my own animation interactive game company
5. Start my own publishing game company
6. Learn French and live in Paris for a year in a house!
ViviAn — April 6th, 2012, 9:34 pm
Win the lottery so I can give it away to make other peoples dreams come true:)
Chris Dearman — April 6th, 2012, 9:48 pm
I’ve done the past (see below), but this blog post has inspired me to start looking to the future…. (over-due Buried Life “to-do” List to come….)
I’ll call this my “AWE” LIST…
VERSION 4.0 – ADDITIONS & MORE DETAILS ADDED SINCE ORIGINAL POSTING (First version – February 26, 2009)
A friend of mine has been bugging me to fill out one of those random list things that are floating around Facebook for some time, but I’ve been putting it off. I figure if I’m going to spend time compiling random facts, I might as well have a purpose for doing so.
So…since details are already getting hazy from the “first half” of my life (going to college in Carbondale will do that to you) now might be the time to create a list of things I’ve Accomplished, Witnessed, or Experienced – “AWE” for short.
I will use this to list things significant enough to come to mind when I look back on my life – basically just some of the good memories that I can still remember, and something to help me if I ever get around to writing an autobiography (although you can now purchase a book about a couple summers of my life at http://www.santasvillagegonewild.com).
If writing a book about my life never happens (well, besides the Santa’s Village one), I figure at least maybe my current & future loved ones might be interested in reading this stuff in list form, and besides that, it’s pretty fun to think back to see what you can come up with.
THINGS I’VE ACCOMPLISHED, WITNESSED, OR EXPERIENCED:
https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150286390954240
Seth Braun — April 6th, 2012, 10:25 pm
Digging this big time. Thanks for the reminder.
I’d love to take my kids on a year abroad for an immersion educational experience. We’d spend time on farms, wirh artists, speak with leaders and learn new languages – while doing service projects and making friends. All the best.
Chase — April 6th, 2012, 11:15 pm
One thing I want to do before I die:
>> 1.Go to Space (the full enchilada: zero gravity experience, etc)
I’d like to photograph the world from up there, because we all need to humble ourselves from time to time, and remember how small each of us truly are.
Too often, we get much too caught up in how everyone perceives us in our own little box to step back and see the forest for the trees.
Can’t wait!
-Chase
Nate — April 7th, 2012, 12:33 am
I want to find the girl of my dreams.
John-Paul Panelli — April 7th, 2012, 2:21 am
Be an executive producer for a feature film.
Sheyi — April 7th, 2012, 4:05 am
Whao,
Tim Ferris will never seize to bring us something good. I mean i love this reading and it touches my heart. It goes far to show that almost everyone that believes in the beauty of their dream will surely accomplish it.
Keep doing great things guys and hope you come up with another ‘crazy’ 100 things to do – No1: Meet Sheyi Shobayo (myself) in Nigeria.
sheyi
Benedict Westenra — April 7th, 2012, 4:07 am
I’m now thinking of a variation on Richard Branson’s, “Screw it, let’s do it!”, which involves the work “bucket”.
Here’s my list:
1) Hear Herbie Hancock live
Done! That was actually the only item on my bucket list at the time so it spurred me on to add new ones. Now I guess I should aim to duet with him.
2) Meet Stephen Sondheim
Done! And now I’ve been invited to NY to play him my songs.
3) Help my girlfriend volunteer as an English teacher in Palestine
Done! That was a tricky one. We had to borrow money so she could take an advanced TEFL course, and then had to get a lawyer to sue her employer for unpaid wages, but it worked! Now I want to help her set up an NGO there.
4) Get my musical produced at the National or the Donmar (theatres in London)
In the process of making it happen. It’s unheard of for a first-time writer to get produced at either of those two venues, but I think I can get there if I take it in steps.
5) Create the world’s greatest music-learning tool
I now have an experienced partner for my website and we’re aiming to get a minimum viable product out within 9 months.
6) Donate $100,000 to Room to Read
I’m pushing for our website to donate a percentage of its proceeds to Room to Read. Then we just need to generate the revenue.
7) Write a guest post on Tim’s blog
Well, I guess I’ll have to finish the website first.
And then there’s improve my piano playing, write an orchestral piece and get it performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, meet various people, etc., etc….
Good luck to everyone!
Rob — April 7th, 2012, 7:37 am
Really, the biggest would be to find and create a lasting relationship with the woman of my dreams.
Youni — April 7th, 2012, 4:21 am
Swim with humpback whales and record them singing whilst I dive with them
Jimmy — April 7th, 2012, 4:39 am
This does work. Two years ago I was 274 lbs, and wanted to do an Ironman. I’ve lost 84 lbs since then and will reach this goal next month at Ironman Texas!
Jimmy — April 7th, 2012, 4:42 am
This does work. Two years ago I was 274 lbs, and wanted to do an Ironman. I’ve lost 84 lbs since then and will reach this goal next month at Ironman Texas!
Ian Ferguson — April 7th, 2012, 5:18 am
Hi
I have recently purchased your books and find I can’t put them down… Absolutely brilliant!
I have one question and would really be grateful if you could answer it or direct me to who can please…
When you speak about the cheat day in ‘The Four Hour Body’, you say it’s for 24 hours… Would it still work if you started midday Saturday and finished midday Sunday? Thank you very much for any time you can spare me, on this question which is burning away at me.
Cheers… Ian Ferguson
Anthony Killeen — April 7th, 2012, 5:21 am
Tim and Ben
Thanks so much for this awesome post! It got my blood pumping and revived me from terminal boredom..
Your ideas on realistic vs unrealistic goals really got me thinking and make so much sense to me and where I find myself in life right now.. It’s time to throw out the realistic lists of boring goals that barely spark a hint of excitement and start uncovering my ‘burried life’..
One thing I want to do before I die is fly myself around the world in a small jet.
Thanks for the practical tools and inspiration guys!
Good luck everyone and I wish you all a life full of excitement
Rock out
Anthony K
marc thom — April 7th, 2012, 5:52 am
Hey Tim, what a brilliant story. I should never read your posts at night, I can never sleep after reading them, they give you a good kick in the ass. Cheers!
James M — April 7th, 2012, 6:27 am
I love this article. Thanks for passing it on, Tim.
I have list that’s been in my head for years, but writing it down for the first time feels so liberating!
1. Lose 25kg (Just started reading the 4 hour body which should help)
2. Live and work in China (going for my first trip there next month)
3. Create a series of ESL games that I will sell online and generate $5,000 a month income
4. Buy my Mum and Dad a house
5. Illustrate a childrens book
6. Work with the Jim Henson puppetry team
7. Design a series of collectible vinyl toys
8. Write a book about my time living in Taiwan and Thailand
9. Meet Louis C.K (comedian)
10. Eat a bagel in New York and write poetry in a cafe looking out at snow falling on the street outside
11. Marry my fiancee and bring her to Australia
12. Build a school in Cambodia
13. Give my cousin 50 thousand dollars to help with his missionary work in Africa
emcee — April 7th, 2012, 6:33 am
I’ve always wanted to go to England and become a pro Drum N Bass MC. Thanks to Tim’s book, and thinking outside the box, I’m 75% of the way to making the big move, and I’ve already got a few potential gigs rolling in. This blog is also AMAZING! Thanks!
Rosevita — April 7th, 2012, 8:13 am
Wow, what an inspiration!
And so true — once you’re really out there doing your thing the craziest things happen.
Some that can be explained (people pick up on your energy and vision) and many that can’t. The “coincidences” that happen are just too weird.
Jane Poston — April 7th, 2012, 8:20 am
1. Live in Italy for a year
2. Be the person to announce “Live from from New York, it’s Saturday night!”
Kevin Stahl — April 7th, 2012, 8:22 am
Alright, first things first, if anyone knows the blood type of Richard Bland (the student who needs the kidney) please let me know so I can spread the word. My classmates have already gotten used to my change in attitude since readings Tim’s book, so asking if anyone wants to donate a kidney shouldn’t even be a “blip” on the radar.
I had a vague idea of the things I’ve wanted to do before I bit the dust, but this has gotten me to write them all down and start honestly figuring out how to make them happen. The two most crucial items are: do/make something completely original and raise $1,000,000.00 for the Challenged Athlete’s Foundation by October 21st, 2012.
This is a truly awe inspiring kick in the ass. I can’t tell you how important I believe this kind of attitude is, and how absent it has become.
To Buried Life: thank you for being you,
To Tim: ditto and thanks for sharing.
Piotr — April 7th, 2012, 8:38 am
Ufff.. It was hard but it was worth it!!
Here is my list:
#1 Tell her “i love you”
#2 Make art that has meaning in the world
#3 Have exhibition in Mumok
#4 Make a good movie
#5 Had most popular blog in Poland
#6 Speak at TED conference
#7 Speak fluently in Swedish and English
#8 Make comfortable money with small investment of time per week
#9 Get driver’s licenses and buy a good car
#10 Get my own apartment with my inner design that i like
#11 Get new Dell XPS 15z i7 and iphone
#12 Fix my health
#13 Get shape like “David” by Michelangelo
#14 Run 100km once
#15 Dance in front of people i have been fully relaxed doing that
#16 Spend one year without computer
#17 Take AFF course
#18 Buy one painting by Roman Opalka
#19 Take LSD
#20 Find the destiny
I hope one day i will check this page and i realize that this list is outdated because everything has been done
God give me strength.
Piotr from Poland
Andrea — April 7th, 2012, 8:49 am
Really excellent advice! These lists are easy to make but much harder to complete. Thanks for the inspiration!
Bree Argetsinger — April 7th, 2012, 9:06 am
Awesome post. I was so glad Tim shared the Obama story, I wanted to hear it! All of these steps work! I am actively living and pursuing my ever-evolving dreams every single day. The feeling you get when you walk the path of your own making is unlike anything else.
Tim, I look forward to meeting you.
Jacob — April 7th, 2012, 9:18 am
Here are a few from mine:
- Meet Miss Jolie (Angelina)
- Make an album
- Have my own photography showcase
- Produce a film
- Go to Brazil
- Learn to Surf like a pro
- Build a tower and resort
- Build a school/orphanage
- Work with 1 musician to launch their career
- Build a beach hut
Molly T — April 7th, 2012, 9:25 am
Install the next generation of radars in DFW to give people ten more minutes before a tornado hits.
Lori — April 7th, 2012, 9:30 am
I’d like to take cooking classes in Italy and France. I want to learn the languages, too. And if Dr. Wayne Dyer were in those classes with me, that would just put the icing on the cake!
Joe Hughes — April 11th, 2012, 7:52 am
Beat Chuck Norris in arm-wrestling.
Roman Stepanenko — April 7th, 2012, 9:50 am
Produce and direct a short animated sci-fi series, based on Human’s first contact with Alien life in the form of a huge … ok I’m giving away too many details, I don’t have the copy rights yet. But you get the idea.
Cheers anyhow, very inspirational read
Brett — April 7th, 2012, 10:00 am
I really needed this. My various muses have not been performing, so I had re-opened the 4HWW to get out of my rut,(page 320…) which always helps.
Still, what these guys have created is music to my ears. I’m invigorated by their action.
I want to backpack Alaska with my son for 6 months, living off the land. The Buried Life has renewed my resolve.
When you get to San Mateo, look me up.
Carlos Garbiras — April 7th, 2012, 10:31 am
Hey guys, I discovered your show after reading this article. I’m already in season 2. You guys rock!!
Goals:
Having Colombia coffee with Shakira
Go for a run with Lionel Messi
Go to Barranquilla’s Carnival with Tim
Shot a documentary on the evils of for-profit education
Have lunch with Sir Branson
Run the San Francisco color run with the Buried Life
Olivia — April 7th, 2012, 10:35 am
I started a project this year to receive letters from 20 states and 12 countries over the course of 2012 ( get it? twenty-twelve? XD) Anyway, I really want to travel the world and meet people, not just visit tourist attractions, and thought this was a good start for a highschool student! So far I’ve gotten letters from 20 different states and 10 different countries, in only 3 months! I’m still not finished though, I think all 50 states would be a good goal, and at least 20 countries!
I love your story! It is so inspiring!
Brendan — April 7th, 2012, 11:10 am
One of your best posts Tim!
The top of my bucket list I’m not currently working on:
- Spend 6-12 months traveling Asia.
- Own a successful business.
- Write a best-seller.
Adrian Witter — April 7th, 2012, 11:21 am
Hey Guys
This is the first time hearing about your journey and it is immense. It’s a really cool way of fleshing out your dreams into something that can be shared across communities and all the people you meet.
Inspirational for sure.
Gonna refine and start upgrading my bucket list items from a difficulty of 6/7 to 9/10.
David K — April 7th, 2012, 11:41 am
Perform on stage at Coachella.
LORI C. LANE — April 7th, 2012, 12:48 pm
GREAT post!!!
I wanted to get a Backseat ride in a F-18 Fighter Jet since I was 5!!…
I now live in San Diego, I see them on a daily basis!!! I need to get my tush into one of those things!!!
Had the opportunity to pull some G’s in a T34 Mentor… it was a start but now its on the the REAL DEAL!!!
Can anyone help!?!?!!!!!
-L
David Alpuche — April 7th, 2012, 12:57 pm
Great post as usual, very inspiring!
One of my goals is to find what causes Stuttering and a way to prevent it, I’ve had it since I was 4 years old and it sucks ass. For years I’ve felt I couldn’t accomplish my dreams or be what I wanted because if it. Thankfully people like Tim and a bunch of amazing close friends made me realize how wrong I was. The limits are always inside our heads.
I just started a project to crowd source the research and I’d love your help with it: http://www.iamsurewecan.com
Another goal is find a way to become a legal resident in the US, current laws make no sense and are making this so freaking hard, anybody knows somebody that might know somebody that could help me with this??
Cheyl Obermiller — April 7th, 2012, 3:46 pm
Have 8 children – check!
(That was never on my list but it happened in 2010, so I’m listing it anyway.)
Have 12 grandchildren – check!
Have 9 foreign exchange students – check!
Play the harp – check!
Work as a fashion model – check!
Compete in a triathalon with my 18 year old daughter – training now!
Start my own multi-million dollar heavy construction company – check! (19 years in business and going strong)
Send my accountant to prison for embezzling a million dollars – check
Spend 15 minutes with Tim Ferriss getting his opinion on the totally awesome book and software program I’ve developed to help small business and 4HWW followers protect themselves from financial fraud – NOT CHECKED YET, BUT I HAVE HOPE!
Have an exciting, productive, worthwhile, imaginative day that contributes to good in the world every single day -STILL IN PROGRESS!
Thanks for the inspiration, guys! Cheryl – aka the Pothole Queen!
Guy — April 7th, 2012, 5:03 pm
Fantastic post guys! Love this – Ferris Bueller put it well: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Life’s truly a gift and we have no right to waste it!
Keep the inspiration coming!!
Garth Beyer — April 7th, 2012, 5:59 pm
Find someone that will accomplish the 100 life goals I have already written with me.
Norman Dacanay — April 7th, 2012, 6:34 pm
Like Tim these guys are a true inspiration. Stoked to meet them on April 10th in Toronto. It’s noteworthy to mention that TBL crew were totally off my radar until I came across this post…and now my wife and I are fans.
Thanks Tim!
Just 3 things on my list:
1. Meet the TBL crew (happening in 3 days)
2. Cage diving with Great White Sharks (happening in October 2012 in South Africa)
3. Meet and have a glass of wine with Tim Ferriss (am working on it…Tim want to help me out?)
Tim Reid — April 7th, 2012, 8:18 pm
To create something like this for people of my generation (I’m 44). Not sure what form it will take yet, but putting out there makes me feel just that little bit closer. I’m excited.
Kevin S — April 7th, 2012, 9:12 pm
Great post! You guys have been a well needed breath of inspiration.
-Complete a full Iron Man
-Get my business to gross 100K/year
Joe — April 7th, 2012, 9:33 pm
I’d love to become a bad ass kung fu expert
Waiting for knee surgery before I can take classes…
Awesome post, can’t wait to check out the show…
Adam A — April 7th, 2012, 10:34 pm
This is my first post on this blog even though I read it all the time. Great F* post Tim! Inspired and fired up!
1) Virgin galactic flight
2) Open a veganrestaurant
3) Have smoothies with David Wolfe
4) Watch a super bowl game in the stadium
5) Learn French, Italian, and Hebrew
6) Have dinner with Taylor Swift
7) SPEAK AT TED!!!
Bauffman — April 8th, 2012, 2:39 am
I have an issue with my knees because my leg muscles are too tight. That’s preventing my to do any serious running.
After reading this post and seeing the video I know what I have to do. Find a way to get this fixed and run my first marathon.
Jurgen Mennel — April 8th, 2012, 3:26 am
Wow, what a great post. I have done pretty crazy things in my life. Yet here is what i want to do before i die. I want to race in the Dakar Rally on a Motorbike. (Have i mentioned i never sat on a motoX bike) Somehow, it will happen. Keep up the good work boys.
Jurgen
Dave — April 8th, 2012, 5:45 am
Great story and the feedback is just as inspiring! I hope you all accomplish your dreams.
Geoffrey Levens, L.Ac. — April 8th, 2012, 7:39 am
Quite an inspiring blog post. Funny though, after a lot of pondering I realized I only have one thing on my list and that is totally an inner goal. It has been my driving, inner fire since early sophomore year high school and I am 62 so that gives you an idea.
To gain, not an intellectual but a deeply felt and lived visceral understanding/knowledge of “who and what I am” or “the meaning of life”, those phrases point to it pretty well.
Everything else I have desire for I either already have or am doing, or don’t really care enough about to expend the energy directed away from “my mission>”
Christopher — April 8th, 2012, 8:47 am
crossfitlivingston.com
Jeremy — April 8th, 2012, 12:10 pm
Sad I haven’t heard of these guys till now, but glad I’ve heard of these guys now, thanks Tim
The most important one for my in accomplish most of my big goals thus far is “Be Persistant”, you’ve gotta be striving for something you believe in, but once you are, just don’t give up and you’ll get it. I think Seth Godin calls this “the dip”
“Ninety-nine percent of people believe they can’t do great things, so they aim for mediocrity.” Its sad that this is the case, but it is encouraging for us that are enlightened to move past it and shoot big. Our generation (millennials), despite our flaws, are an awfully Ballsy bunch and I think we’ll accomplish a lot in our generation.
Can’t wait to check out this book.
Karen Daniels — April 8th, 2012, 12:20 pm
I enjoyed reading everyone’s goals. I have been so fortunate in my life to have already experienced so many adventures, enough to have completed ten people’s bucket lists. I lived in Hawaii as a child before it was a state, lived in Tangier, Morocco and graduated from high school there, travelled all through Europe, I married young (on my 19th birthday) to a Naval Officer and we moved to New Orleans were I got my first job as a Playboy Bunny. Then over a period of several years later I had two beautiful daughters, and we moved to Key West, FL in the early 70′s before it became a tourist trap. I became an accomplished artist in Key West, having many successful one-woman shows. As my daughters grew up, ready to leave home, I started having wonderlust again, and as a result my husband and I had a “friendly” divorce.
I had a dream to sail around the world and walk on isolated pristine beaches where my footprints were the only ones in the sand. I painted scenes of those beaches and my dream was very strong and compelling. Not only did I write down those dreams I put many things into action to help me acieve the dreams. I took sailing courses and volunteered to be a crew member on several boats. I knew how to cook pretty well and had experience with international dishes, but studied books on maritime cooking and provisioning. I apprenticed at a sail loft without pay in order to learn how to make and repair sails and do canvasswork.
Utimately I left Key West as a crew member on a Tall ship from New Zealand, heading for England, then as a second cook on another ship until finally I landed a job as as the Chief Cook on the BOUNTY doing the First Fleet Re-Enactment, sailing for eight months from England to Australia . Other Tall ship adventures followed in Polynesia, after which I travelled for several months in Bali, Java and treked deep in the rain forest in Borneo. I’ve been on safari in South Africa, climbed the highest peak that overlooks Machu Picchu, visited Mauritius in the INdian Ocean, Cape Verde, Canary Islands, Rio de Janero, Capetwon, South Africa and Australia. From all my sailing experience I received a US Coast Guard 100 ton Captain’s license.
I also had a dream of living in Jamaica on a beautiful white sand beach. It became a reality. I had acquired a realtors licence in Florida and an associate in my realtor’s office had several hotel listings in Jamaica. I volunteered to move to Jamaica and be available to show her listings. I found a small beachfront cottage on 2 acres of land for $20,000 and was able to borrow the money, interest-free, from my ex-husband. After a few years of living in Jamaica, I sold my property (for triple what I paid) and decided to go back to sea for a few more adventures. It seemed that no matter what I set out to experience, the opportunity arrived. I felt that I could manifest anything. In my mid 40′s I decided to come back to the US and learn massage therapy and begin a “normal” career. I went to school, got licensed and openned my own alternative health clinic which I operated for five years
The only thing I could not seem to achieve was to find a life-time loving mate. Somehow, with all the travelling, I thought I would meet my soulmate, but ijust like ships passing in the night, it just never happened. I had had lots of boyfriends and lovers and made some wonderful friends, but not someone to spend the rest of my life with. I even posted a personal ad in a Maritime newspaper Boat Lover’s section. I got 47 responses and met many of the men but nothing clicked, so after three months, I cancelled my ad.
Then I discovered a small booklet by a New Age “reverend” named Roberta Hertzog called “A blueprint for a lifetime loving mate”. I was 49.5 years old and felt that soon I was going to reach my “sell by” date. Following the instructions in her booklet , which are possibly similar to the instructions from the Burried Life guys. Be concise and WRITE IT DOWN and believe.
I made a list of ALL the attributes, physical, mental, spiritual, financial and so on of my perfect mate and read it out loud three times a day until one day I just “knew” that this person was coming into my life. Then I put the list away and did not dwell on how long would it take for him to show up. But three months later, well after my ad had run out, I got a single response from a man who was planning to retire in a year or two, wanted to buy a sailboat and sail around the world and needed and wanted a first mate in the full sense. We have been happily married since 1999.
For the first five years of our marriage we sailed all through the Caribbean on our own sailboat that we named FULL MONTY. We had made the full commitment to our cruising life, having sold our house and cars. We spent years sailing up and down the Leewward and Windward Islands, several years in Venezuela, then went to the Western Caribbean to Rio Dulce in Guatemala, followed by Belieze and Mexico.
We finally felt satisfied with our years of cruising life and decided to sell our boat and move to Arizona to be close to my aging parents. We bought land and built a home with our own hands. We paid for materials as we went along and did almost all of the labor, saving several hundreds of thousands of dollars. We are now mortgage-free and can easily live on our Social Security checks.
So now at age 64, having accomplished and experience so many things I am going to write out my NEW bucket list. The first focus will be on writing a memoir of all my adventure travels, (perhaps trying to inspire others to try the life at sea) and several cookbooks based on some of my adventures. Luckily, I wrote everything down in journals and have lots of photos to jog my memory.
I want to paint again and weave tapestries of the beautiful high desert landscapes that surround me. I want to end my years in my late 90′s as an outspoken eccentric old artist like Georgia O’Keefe. My new studio space is in it’s initial stage of construction. This time we are paying for more of the labor to be done by contractors as we felt we had done enough. Our home is small but well designed with very high cathedral ceilings and shaded porches all around and a small swimming pool with beautiful mountain views. We are almost totally self-sufficient, with solar electric, solar hot water that also heats our radiant floor heating, almost 10,000 gallons storage for rainwater for our organic veggie garden, graywater irrigation for landscaping and next year we’ll start raising six hens for our own free-range eggs. Life is good and making it simpler is really a joy. We are finding that less is more.
But you can manifest your dreams. Write it all down and believe. And find out what is reallly important in your life, not just “stuff” – but love. Love yourself first and be a whole individual with something to give and to share and you will find a mate to share your dreams. It works.
Ramon — April 10th, 2012, 4:23 pm
Karen,
That’s a very inspiring story that you have there. I’m moving to Florida myself next month and this past year i traveled through South America. Life seems to only become getting sweeter with time.
I wanted to leave you with this quote that I’m sure you’ll appreciate.
“The person with a fixed goal, a clear picture of his desire, or an ideal always before him, causes it, through repetition, to be buried deeply in his subconscious mind and is thus enabled, thanks to its generative and sustaining power, to realize his goal in a minimum of time and with a minimum of physical effort. Just pursue the thought unceasingly. Step by step you will achieve realization, for all your faculties and powers become directed to that end.”Claude M. Bristol
Silvestre — April 17th, 2012, 7:45 pm
Thanks Karen, that is quite the story, very inspiring and passionate, wish I could see your artwork, looking forward to read your memoirs…
Richard — April 8th, 2012, 4:21 pm
I love this post! I feel so inspired and motivated to reach my goals.
One project on my list is to write, publish a bestselling album in Norway, and the World. Which I am already good on the way with writing awesome songs, lyrics and melodies.
A thousand thanks for posting this, I am so inspired to keep going, and reaching higher goals and dreams
Nick — April 8th, 2012, 5:58 pm
Awesome piece!
Here’s is my bucket list in photos and descriptions!
https://www.photofable.com/user_bucket_list.php?list=ncoats
raghavendra bhat — April 8th, 2012, 6:43 pm
I want to get six pack abs
I want to be a billionaire and have a chain of industries
Benny Mailman(really) — April 8th, 2012, 9:02 pm
My name is Benny Mailman, and I ride the rickshaw. The tricycle version. I have done so for over 11 years. I have rickshawed in Las Vegas, Orlando, NYC, Long Beach CA, and currently Denver, CO. I will be working the Coachella festivals starting this week. A girl started making a film on me, but the funds are not there. My dream would be to travel cross country and give free rides to kids who otherwise would never have the chance, due to money or location. I often give free rides to families with no money, and the homeless. Rickshawing has become spiritual for me, great positive energy flows from it. I also want to write a book on it all. Other peoples happiness makes me happy. I have a BA in communications, and I am a former Marine, honorably discharged in 1992. I have pursued stand up comedy for 10 years. I have not seen your show because I have not owned a television since 2004. I have no idea what to expect, but I love what you have done, and continue to do. Peace and Love,
Benny Mailman
Landon — April 8th, 2012, 9:21 pm
I want to explore space.
Micky C — April 8th, 2012, 11:33 pm
1. Own and operate a live music venue.
And if I’m supposed to be ballsy and aim high, whilst I’m at it; get Bruce Springsteen to play at said venue. This may prove difficult being I’m in Australia and The Boss doesn’t come here too often but that just adds to the challenge
Harry DaMan — April 9th, 2012, 12:03 am
Well, what can I say! You guys figured out something so very important, on my part, I will spread the message, and I do hope that everybody reads this stuff+your book, this is really inspiring, keep it up guys!
Joy Curry — April 9th, 2012, 1:10 am
I want to learn how to wind surf! I moved from the USA to India to start my own online company marketing to India. It has been hard but it is coming together. Thanks for the internet woman tips and groups. Looking into them now.
Thanks Tim for always inspiring me. Your blog is my homepage!
Njoroge Mungai — April 9th, 2012, 3:02 am
To publish 2 best selling books for children and a best selling novel by December 31, 2015.
Karl — April 9th, 2012, 7:12 am
Dive the Andrea Doria and bring a plate back.
Great blog post. Never heard of these guys.
Andrew Marston — April 9th, 2012, 7:56 am
Featured presenter at Photoshop World
Victoria — April 9th, 2012, 7:57 am
My husband and I, both from a cold climate, wanted to spend a winter somewhere without snow or shovels. To accomplish this we used many of Tim’s ideas in the 4HWW.
We recently returned from a winter in Hawaii where we snorkeled, swam with dolphins, parasailed, visited a volcano, learned to surf, and swam with manta rays. Were it not for Tim and his book and posts with how-to’s and inspirational stories, I’m not sure we would ever have accomplished this dream.
We are now developing plans for our Next Big Adventure.
Alan Reeves — April 9th, 2012, 8:13 am
I have always wanted to play the bag pipes. This was such an inspirational post. I hope to follow in your footsteps, helping others while accomplishing goals. Thanks
Dan Richey — April 9th, 2012, 9:25 am
INCREDIBLE!!!! Thanks for the inspiring story. What do I want to do before I die?
Go on a month long sailing trip around the British Virgin Islands.
Attend world cup soccer game.
dan — April 9th, 2012, 10:10 am
thank you tim and thank you guys for this positive story.
1) grow training business and stay self employed
2) start a tim inspired internet muse business
3) see C ronaldo play in spain!
Chris — April 9th, 2012, 10:41 am
What an excellent article, really provokes some thoughts about what I want to do with my life. Here’s my short list:
1) LIve and work in Japan
2) Start my own business
3) Fluent in Japanese
Nick — April 9th, 2012, 1:48 pm
Chris – check out AJATT for some help with 3).
Ting — April 9th, 2012, 1:03 pm
Hi guys, thank you for the inspiring story.
I want to be one of the best dancer in the world, to travel with a spaceship and to be a excellent chef so that i can cook in an 5 Star restaurant for one day ;D
Best Wishes
Brad Chapman — April 9th, 2012, 2:11 pm
Tim. Way fucking cool post. At over 40 I find myself inspired by almost everyone of your articles. Keep it up please. I hope to buy you a beer and shoot the shit.
Marc Oromaner — April 9th, 2012, 3:14 pm
Thank you guys! Very inspirational. Love that Coldplay song in your video (“Fix You”)—it often gets me feeling like I can do anything. There are many things I feel a calling to do before I die but there’s one at the top of the list and when it happens, I’ll know all the others must have too. My biggest dream is to design and open a spiritual amusement park. A place with the most creative, fantastical rides ever imagined that allow people to come together from all over the world and live out their dreams while having the most fun they’ve ever had while doing it.
Lisa DeLay — April 9th, 2012, 3:26 pm
I want to nurture the souls of Creators and Communicators…And be the go-to person for that. Hoping to give away ebooks in May. I want to help people.
Euan — April 9th, 2012, 8:25 pm
Although I’ve reached one of my goals (running my own business) it has taken over and need to re-balance with some cool stuff like this. Way to go fellas.
In fact, I’d just read of another guy who did something similar, although his starting point was slightly different. Have a look and get some ideas…
Etch — April 9th, 2012, 8:30 pm
@warren check out puttylike.com. It’s perfect for you!
Seema — April 9th, 2012, 9:06 pm
Absolutely inspiring post! Thanks guys!! The one thing I just added to my list:
Engage/motivate sports fans to collectively start cheering on the home team when they are losing (as opposed to ‘booing’ them!) and witness the home team get so pumped up, that they win because of it!! Maybe make use of the big screens to start the cheering or something motivational!
Ultimate goal: for people to understand that they can impact the players/game by their energy, So may aswell use it well!
After this post, I also added to meet the Buried Life….and then learned they will be in my home town tomorrow, so it may happen!
Thanks Tim for this post!
Michele — April 9th, 2012, 9:15 pm
Great Post – thanks guys!
Continue traveling the world, meeting amazing people and saying YES! to all the fabulous opportunities that show up AND inspiring people to go after whatever their heart desires!
Have a beer with Tim!
Crystal Galasso — April 9th, 2012, 11:49 pm
I’ve heard of The Buried Life, but due to not having cable I haven’t ever watched it and I don’t know much about it. This is an amazing story though! It really proves the quote, “The man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can’t are both right,” to be very true. It’s awesome to see people out there with goals they want to achieve. Especially when those people have the passion and drive to make those dreams come true.
As for me, my long term goal and dream is to become a professional screenwriter and act in my own movies. If I’m going to set the bar I want it to be high…really high. As for a big dream that I have currently, I really want to work for Ellen DeGeneres.
Ellen is one of those people that stands up for the things I believe in, which are human rights, equality and the joy of dancing for no reason. I’ve always wanted to work in the television/film industry and I think I could really do good things somewhere like The Ellen DeGeneres show. I’ve created a website to get Ellen to hire me. If you’re interested you can check it out via my Twitter: Hello_Crystal G I’d really appreciate spreading the word or even just any kind of feedback. Thanks & I hope everyone’s having an amazing day!
Falko — April 9th, 2012, 11:50 pm
Great post! One thing is missing though, and it should be step one: “Become friends with people who share your goal”. I’m sure the Buried Life guys will admit that they couldn’t have done it alone.
That is my one wish before I die- to become best friends with someone who shares my passion.
They said it bes, sometimes your frustrations cannot be put into words…it’s just a feeling. Knowing someone who “gets this”, without being cynical or practical would be awesome.
Rupert — April 10th, 2012, 4:27 am
Love it !This trailer and article made my day. It’s good not to feel alone when you want to explore the true magic of life!!
Ariel Martinez — April 10th, 2012, 5:26 am
Cross one more bucket: hel[ing people you did not intend to help but were touched by your action. I am in the middle of something psinful snd need to decide what am I going to do. I had not so healthy ideas and were about to carry them, until by serendipity, I read this artucle.
I am still speechless, I have read this article ,many times and a lot of insights came up to me. To make things shorter but juicer I will say with commitment:
A) Its never too late to become what I meant to be
B) Your 7 principles will be on the walls of my office and my house.
C) You are not better than me and viceversa, therefore there is no reason why I shouldn’t do many projects, some of them very ambitious, but hey, what is life for?
For me there are 2 birth days, August 29 1957 and April 10 2012, when I read this and had many insights….I was reborn
Thank you
n.l. — April 10th, 2012, 7:49 am
With regards to your trying to help a college freshman with a kidney problem. Let me bring your attention to one of the side effects of soy as causing kidney stones, this can be located at the webmd website under, drugs and supplements, vitamins or supplements, soy, side effects. So it should be avoided. If he is unable to find a donor at least he knows what can make it worse and what hopefully might improve it. As I have read elsewhere on blackcurrants possibly improving kidney function. My mother had such a low kidney function in her late 70′s. Increasing water intake has helped make quite a difference to her kidney function. Not necessarily for every one as some people are discouaged from increasing fluid intake beyond certain amounts in specific cases. But it is important to stress that a person should always consult their specialist before taking up any of the above suggestions. But if after checking with a specialist, it helps in some way then why not. If nothing else turns up.
Jordan Bishop — April 10th, 2012, 8:36 am
I want to become a public speaker, and I’m taking a term off of school in the fall to make that a reality.
David — April 10th, 2012, 1:35 pm
Your local toastmaster meeting can be a start. The trick is to consistently give speeches on regular basis. Personally I do not recommend a cram session. Because the public perception will be “that person talks a lot but what does he/she have to back it up?”. Even tim ferriss speeches get really boring if you listen to it consecutively over and over again.
Mac — April 10th, 2012, 10:09 am
Awesome! This is inspiring and has moved me to update my dreamlining template with excitement: I’ve added motorbike racing in the Egyptian desert as one of my dreams.
Tim, a request: please add something about creating kickass gluten/wheat free pizzas in your upcomming book. I’m dying for my staple food but don’t want to derail my health with wheat and specifically gluten. With the access you have to people at the top of their professions, I’m sure you could hack the pizza to produce a slow-carb gluten-free pizza (or bread — I’ll take things from there).
Gayle Ash Barrios — April 10th, 2012, 10:09 am
to meet Jasper Johns
Erica Schreiber — April 10th, 2012, 12:45 pm
Transform education worldwide. Step #1: Build a multi-generational community in Santa Barbara including a school, innovative sustainable land use, and as a retreat/meeting/learning center for academics, educators, corporate leaders, spiritual teachers, activists and artists.
Cory Kien — April 10th, 2012, 12:56 pm
Truly AMAZING stuff guys! This is just what I needed to find after being awakened to my own buried life a year ago after my mother’s sudden passing. Before I die I’d like to run a route and catch a ball against my football idol, Deion Sanders!
Jamie — April 10th, 2012, 3:10 pm
Hi Timothy,
I just wanted to drop a quick note to say “thank you!!!!!” for writing The Four Hour Workweek. It has inspired me to start a blog and focus on doing what I love.
Thanks again!!
Jamie Falahee
Rachel Curtis — April 10th, 2012, 4:04 pm
Spend a day with Stephen Colbert.
jacob r. — April 10th, 2012, 8:39 pm
#45 Learn how to train Golden Eagles in Mongolia.
Caveman — April 11th, 2012, 2:14 am
Create a new word for women that let’s them embrace their sexuality as comfortably as men without being judged for sleeping with whomever and how many ever people they want.
Bob Schrader — April 11th, 2012, 5:31 am
TIm once again thanks for opening our eyes to something great. Congratulations Buried Life – amazing effort.
One of the things I do, because I love it and on my list, is teach. I teach high school & college courses now (use to teach law school). Buried Life you inspired me. We have spring break next week, and in midst of various things in classes on business, marketing, accounting and business law.
I am going to give all my students a new assignment today and tomorrow. I am going to first show the video, then have them read this blog. Then, their assignment this week and over vacation, will be to make their list, and then make a plan. I always talk about importance of goals and writing them down to classes, but honestly few do it – same as general population. Buried Life’s video, blog post and actions for last 5 years, is the perfect for driving home the importance of this.
If I can get even a small percentage of kids to embrace the importance of this, it will be more important in their lives than any lesson we cover in business, marketing, accounting or law! Thanks for providing an inspiring story.
Lenore Greiner — April 11th, 2012, 11:39 am
Go around the world, hitting places where I can make a difference. I’ve already helped Caye Caulker School in Belize. Now I’m headed to Costa Rica on an eyeglasses for schoolkids project. I want to be a monk for a month in Thailand (Google it), and volunteer in India. And write all about it as I make my way about our planet.
I’m doing this!
Curtis — April 11th, 2012, 12:05 pm
Go Skydiving
Get my Scuba Open Water License
Complete my BA & Go on to Complete an MBA
Record and Release my own Album
Travel the Globe as a Public Speaker
On the BA, need to study for tonight’s exam lol :p
Andrei H — April 11th, 2012, 12:23 pm
You only live once! I’ve been living by this moto for the past 5 years or so, and so many good things have happened.
You just have to go for it, and it always works out in the end ( the worst that can happen is you learn something new ) !
The Buried Life boys have been an inspiration to me, and it was great meeting them last week at their talk in Vancouver. They are really inspirational guys, and I was glad I could be there with them to cross of #19 – Write a bestseller!
Keep at it boys!
-Andrei
Steven Wylie — April 11th, 2012, 12:40 pm
Tour the world with my music.
Rob — April 11th, 2012, 3:33 pm
I want to be on the cover of mens health before I die.
Jordan Poling — April 11th, 2012, 7:30 pm
Lovely posts. One of many dreams of mine is: attend a small party where Bjork is spinning the records. Would be amazing.
Ronald Kobra — April 11th, 2012, 8:50 pm
I want to help people (possibly coach, thru blog/website, or both) figure out how they can best help humanity and at the same time become financially free doing their passion.
Learned a TON from Tim’s book and hope to put my plan together soon.
[RONALD]
Marissa Joan — April 11th, 2012, 9:03 pm
Own a Pastry Shoppe, Travel all over the world, Become an amazing illustrator, Have a beautiful family. You guys are amazing and have totally pushed me into action, I have to believe in myself and others and strongly stand up for everything I want to do, and be in this life–because we only get this one (depending on your beliefs, of course) and what else can you do? Definitely not waste it.
Tom Pearson — April 11th, 2012, 9:13 pm
Terrific guest post.
Own a horse that wins the Kentucky Derby.
Ben B — April 12th, 2012, 12:08 am
Create a passive income of 4K / month then sail around the world
Dave Dempsey — April 12th, 2012, 8:57 am
This is a very inspiring story, well done guys!
My dream is to DJ in front of 10,000 people
Jennifer — April 12th, 2012, 5:33 pm
This post is so beautiful.
Here’s the beginning of my list.
1. Travel to do the research for my next book in Europe and the USA before the end of this year.
2. Go to the Frankfurt book fair 10 -14 October 2012.
3. Publish all my book ideas and have everyone of them a best seller.
4. Travel to Tibet.
5. Be financial free from working for other people.
6. Help other people publish their stories and get them out there.
7. Spend Christmas in Germany in a castle.
8. Build a beautiful house for my family.
9. Build a beautiful Rachel Ashwell style B&B retreat and run it as a business in Australia.
10. Run Rich Dad’s Cashflow Game clubs in high schools throughout Australia.
11. Go on a yoga retreat.
12. Learn to play the violin.
13. Make a documentary / TV show.
14. Have my own personal assistant / housekeeper.
15. Spend a week on a beautiful beach swimming and canoeing
16. Walk the Abel Tasman in NZ.
17. Live in Prague for 3 months.
18. Walk into a playground and hand out random gifts to all the mums and dads there with their kids from tickets to the moves, $2000, a new car, books, gift vouchers, no criteria just random big gifts.
Ben Long — April 12th, 2012, 8:21 pm
complete a 7+ day juice fast
end my lease and travel abroad for 3 months
David — April 13th, 2012, 4:06 am
My comment got censored. why did that happen?
I thought it was a valid point of view or criticism of this post.
Joseph — April 13th, 2012, 6:26 am
before i die, i’d love to change the way the world sees the world. One person at a time. AND I am going to pilot a cessna, own a Tesla, have dinner with 10 different fortune 500 CEOs and help 100 people get jobs they didnt think they qualified for. (im already five people in on that list. who’s next)
Miguel Marfori — April 13th, 2012, 10:30 am
What do I want to do before I die?
Cosplay as my one of my favorite videogame characters: Phoenix Wright! and say “OBJECTION!”
Elin Themer — April 13th, 2012, 9:19 pm
I just say one thing, WOW!!!!
R. Kuja — April 14th, 2012, 12:35 am
Surprise my first best friend from childhood, Gary, with the motorcycle and tour (and cover the cost of both of us being away) of all the United States that we said we would like to do together, (that was about forty years ago and we’re both still alive!)
Ned — April 14th, 2012, 6:44 am
I have just started reading 4-hour Work Week (2 days ago), feeling a little nervous at the prospect of having and doing everything Iv’e dreamed. Must be the past 40 years of W4W programming. Here goes, look out below.
Heather — April 14th, 2012, 9:16 am
This is me executing # 3:
I’m horseback riding across the United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, to raise money for a facility I’m starting that uses rescued horses to help rehabilitate injured American soldiers. And I need some help with raising money for the actual trip. Anyone out there who can help? thanks!!
VM — April 14th, 2012, 11:19 am
Very Inspirational! Lots on my list – one would be to as inspirational as Tim and Buried Life Team to pay it forward.
Scott McCully — April 14th, 2012, 11:55 pm
Honestly, I’d like to be able to hang out with you guys for a day or two.. You guys are so real and down to earth and seem like some of the coolest dudes. So one of the things I’d like to do before I die is hang out with The Buried Life guys
Vlad — April 15th, 2012, 12:33 am
This is amazingly inspiring story. I see great accomplishments all over SE Asia and see more and more people pursuing their dream and checking off one thing at a time. I do the same. We live in a new era of entrepreneurship when everything is possible. Good job all. Aim big. It’s easier to hit a bigger target.
Ricky Haney — April 15th, 2012, 6:55 am
I’ve always wanted to be a runner, but have never run more than a mile. I read Chris McDougall’s “Born to Run” recently and I am going to run the Leadville 100.
Kathy Bogatek Zapanta — April 15th, 2012, 10:55 am
Love this post! I have personally been hugely inspired by Tim Ferris’ 4HWW and have become a huge follower. My husband and I quit our jobs, sold our stuff and are now living in Costa Rica, then who knows.
I started a blog of my own and had to link this article because it’s such an inspiration. After reading this, my husband and I sat down right away and wrote our top 100 things to do, be, see, try. 
You guys are an inspiration!
Courtney M — April 15th, 2012, 5:00 pm
Tim- thank you for this post! I love love love The Buried Life guys! I love the show, I’m going to buy the book and I just love what they do!
What to do before I die? My top 5 list:
1) Write a best selling novel
2) Travel to every province in Canada (my homeland! I only have 5 provinces left to go!)
3) Work with Habitat for Humanity on a “global” trip
4) Live in California for a year, just lovin’ life and havin’ fun!
5) Spend a week at the W hotel in Maldives
Thank you again for the post, thank you for your book and thanks to the TBL guys, you rock!
Alby — April 15th, 2012, 11:02 pm
Just bought the book today! So dope and I’m definitely inspired to start my own epic quest and inspire others on the way. Thanks Tim and Buried Life Guys!
Patricio — April 16th, 2012, 12:24 am
Great work!
I need to refine my list more, but here are a few things I want to do:
Become profecient at surviving with nothing outdoors in all the major ecosystems.
Compete and take gold in the olympics.
Get a degree from an Ivy League college for free.
Become the most effecient martial artist possible.
Do a long distance swim in the ocean.
Help my family to be happier, wiser, and stronger.I would also like to help us ( everyone on earth ) find a way that we can all live and be happy and thrive without it being so zero sum.
Those are just a few. And my list doesn’t get any less grand. Thanks to all that commented. All the best in your endeavors.
Amor y Paz
Christiannah — April 16th, 2012, 7:51 am
Thru-hiked the AT last summer and just bought a one way ticket to Spain this summer!
What’s left on my list?
Go cow tipping
Be in a food fight
Meet Tim!!!
Great reading, keep up the good work!
Jill Green — April 16th, 2012, 8:51 am
Help as many people as I can.
Start traveling and speaking to help other anxious people.
Create an anxiety retreat on a tropical island to make getting better feel like paradise.
Jeff @ Digital Nomad Journey — April 16th, 2012, 9:36 am
Most people can’t define what they really want in life – this is the first problem. Running on the system laid out by your family/friends may not be the best way for you!
Really digging deep and questioning what would make you happiest is crucial. Some may view this as selfish……so what! It’s your life and giving it up for someone Else’s dream is a tragedy.
Joshua Birch — April 16th, 2012, 1:09 pm
Hi, I’m Josh.
Before I die, I want to travel across the united states in a camper, and win a pro poker tournament.
Ev — April 16th, 2012, 2:20 pm
Glad to have read this article. I made a bucket list a while back – and then threw it to the side. This makes me want to revisit what I had written and add more. 1 on my list was get a novel published – have yet to do it. Probably time to start.
Sharon Saad — April 17th, 2012, 12:39 am
I want to become a pediatric plastic surgeon in the US
Esteban — April 17th, 2012, 2:05 am
I want to unify the field of Psychology with one theory… and I don’t want to get anything for it
I just want to help make people’s lives happier
fasih — April 17th, 2012, 2:32 am
1 – Improve my timing.I tend to be late more often than not.
2 – Really help someone live a better life
Ryan B. — April 17th, 2012, 12:24 pm
This just gave me the confidence to add 10 more things to my bucket list!
Paul Dennis — April 17th, 2012, 12:47 pm
That entire idea and what you guys are doing is beautiful.
What I want to do before I die… I want to change the world for the better, I want to do something that touches millions of peoples’ lives and changes their lives for the better. I don’t know if that’s one of the things on your list, but if not, you can add it and then cross it off, because you guys have already done that. Well done guys, beautiful.
Paul
Brian Lawlor — April 17th, 2012, 2:22 pm
To sing on the Grand Ole Opry.
Beat Schindler — April 17th, 2012, 3:09 pm
To pay my mum a one-month stay in that famous French spa that has naturally 55 degrees centigrade water, where they actually do help people whose bodies ache.
Silvestre — April 17th, 2012, 3:38 pm
What an inspiring discussion, and post, I’ve been especially moved by Karen’s accounts, I think they would make an exciting book. All in all, to read so many people taking about such wild plans is quite a break from the monotony observed in most urban environments.
Although the thing that I find somehow disquieting is that almost all aspirations listed are centered around the ‘me’ theme. I just watched The Muppets with my son, and, at the risk of sounding geeky, though I looked it up in Wikipedia, most of the comments sound a lot like Beaker’s (Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, the scientist, utterly luckless lab assistant) singing “Me, me, me, me, me…”
I might be looking at the wrong blog, and maybe the problem is me, so I repeat, I find this post and comments very inspiring; I don’t usually comment on blogs, but this discussion is amazing!
Of course I also have a wish-list that includes volcanoes in Iceland, fjords in New Zealand, Paris, novels to write, lectures, etc… but I feel we all have more important things to do and WAY more ambitious goals to accomplish.
So here is the kind of tall bucket list I wish everyone would be on board, for experiencing the most meaningful life can be!
1.- Before I kick the bucket I want to see manmade Apocalypse averted
For every decade I still have to live I commit to be instrumental in :
(These are the things for which I already have a plan which I’m open to share* with anyone wishing to pursue and epic journey for a life!):
2.- Sequestering one million tones of carbon (the first decade, 25 million the next, 250 million the next after that, and so on, until balance is restored: under 350ppm, if possible way under)(all other numbers herein are cumulative times ten per decade)
3.- Restoring the fertility of at least 10,000 hectares of land
4.- Restoring at least 10,000 cubic meters of bodies of water
5.- Lifting 100,000 people out of the destructive economy
6.- Help 1,000 people change the ‘me’ for ‘we’ while enriching their lives beyond their wildest dreams
7.- Inspire 1,000 people to awaken their will to address the critical challenges to our survival with acceptable levels of delight and dignity
Things that I have no idea as to how to accomplish but that are a must and I commit to campaign around these issues and see them come to fruition.
Over my lifetime I commit to:
8.- Stop the production of any persistent chemical that shows up in human breast milk
9.- Help at least 10 cities turn into ecocities (as defined by Richard Register)
10.- Help at least 10 regions turn over 50% of their agriculture systems to organic
These are the more pressing issues, again no plan only great concern:
11.- In the next 15 years, help declare at least 40% of the ocean ecological reserves
12.- Clamp down industrial fishing before it clamps our aspirations
13.- Reduce worldwide fish consumption. Time’s tickling, at current rates we are all going to stop eating fish anyway, sooner that anyone thinks, so better to give it a break, a world wide moratory on industrial fishing, avert collapse, then adjust to reality, not fiction.
Folks, I have to tell you all: unlike in the 1970′s and 1980′s when people lived their lives as if everyday were the last, due to the probability of someone pushing the button, today the bucket has been already kicked, it is flying in the air, it is up to us to try our darnest to catch it before it hits the floor, and we kiss all that is dear to us goodbye.
We can do better than ‘me’, we ought to, we should…
May we will,
Silvestre
*PS Any replies are also welcomed at etnoz (at) riseup (dot) net
Zuraiman (Jon-Jon) — April 17th, 2012, 7:12 pm
My List
———
1) Work with National Geographics and help 3rd world countries
2) Earn a steady $10,000 a month
3) Start my own IT Consultancy firm
4) Ride on a Harley all the way to Las Vegas
5) Get a driver license
6) Get a pilot license
7) Get a liesure craft license
8) Work on my abs to have a six pack
9) Able to read and write in Spanish
10) Go to outer space
11) Make teleportation a reality
SteveO — April 17th, 2012, 7:53 pm
Phenomenal.
Be ballsy is the secret. More often than not I find myself paralyzed by fear; fear that others will find my actions ridiculous or weird. But I have come to find solace in the words of the Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus…
“If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.”
James Bumanglag — April 17th, 2012, 7:59 pm
Great Post. These guys are inspirational!
Noch Noch | be me. be natural. — April 18th, 2012, 7:17 am
indeed talk about it. someone will know someone who can help. but in the mean time, prepare yourself so when the opportunity comes to meeting that someone, you are ready
awesome post
Noch Noch
romy — April 18th, 2012, 7:54 am
sing live in concert with coldplay or snow patrol
Patrick Kondreck — April 18th, 2012, 8:53 am
Before for I die, I would like to spend an entire weekend with Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith and his wife Rickie in a one to one setting.
Joel Valdez — April 18th, 2012, 8:53 am
I would only have 1 question:
How did they finance the project? At least at the beginning?
Christian — April 18th, 2012, 8:51 pm
I needed this post. I am gearing up to meet some important people in my life. I am hesitating however.
I noticed when I was re reading The Success Principles By Jack Canfield, that one Tim Ferriss is in there a couple of times and that some parts of the message cross over, How did these two crazy cats meed? What was the meeting like. Who influenced who the most?
Thanks
Christian
Paul Andres — April 18th, 2012, 10:46 pm
Before I die I’d like to host you guys in my amateur naked “raw cooking” show ^_^
Amr — April 19th, 2012, 8:39 am
Who told you that your story telling is not good.
In fact it is over than good, it is inspirational.
Since I read your book about 4 hour work week, I look forward to more and I got it now.
Thank you for the real advices and good article.
Amanda — April 19th, 2012, 11:32 am
“What do you want to do before you die?”
Work for/with radio stations all across the globe. I want to help radio sations big and small as a radio production & operations contractor. From New Mexico to Seychelles!
Kim — April 19th, 2012, 3:37 pm
I want to record a CD that will touch people’s hearts, minds and souls, and also it will go to the TOP of the Jazz Charts for many weeks as it needs to
so that I can perform all over the world for great paying concerts.
Thanks for asking!
David — April 19th, 2012, 8:27 pm
Leave a legacy
Elise — April 20th, 2012, 3:50 am
I didn’t even finish reading this article and I had already purchased their book!
Wonderful article! Also went ahead and bought 4hr Work Week too.
Starting my list tonight!
You guys rock!
Linus B — April 21st, 2012, 6:41 pm
1.Take a trip around the world with my wife Paula.
2.Have beautiful kids with my wife
3.Be a an awesome father
4.Start a successful company
5.Meet and sing with Brian Mcknight
6.Meet and sing with Stevie Wonder
7.Fulfill my teenage dream-act in a large movie production
8.Live in the USA again
9.Own a property by the ocean in Brazil
10.Not be bald by 40
Rosa Clifton — April 21st, 2012, 7:42 pm
I was so inspired by this article! This, and many other things in my life lately have made me realize that I am tired of being mediocre. I feel like my brain has atrophied over 20+ years of boredom and apathy (I’m only 23), and all it has done is make me angry.
I will not spend one more minute in a cubicle. I quit my job two weeks ago, and have never been happier. Now all I have to do is build a secure stream of income so I will never have to go back.
I know I am made to do extraordinary things, so now is when I will finally start. If not, what is the point of any of this? I refuse to lead a mediocre life. Wish me courage!
Barbara Graff — April 26th, 2012, 6:10 pm
I wish you courage and all the best. I have a son your age who feels much like you do. It is very important to love what you do for income because that will be how you spend much of your time. It takes work to be able to do that.. Do your best and you will get there.
Siii — April 22nd, 2012, 9:02 am
To swim with a whale shark in the wild. (and pay my mom back)
Ralf — April 23rd, 2012, 3:16 pm
I love that one. Did you already find a place where that is possible?
matt miller — April 30th, 2012, 9:31 am
Hey Siii,
Go to Palawan Island in The Philippines. I swam with whale sharks there in 2007. It was so scary at first but once my nerves calmed down it was absolutely wonderful and unforgettable. I often recall that time in the ocean with those whale sharks and get scared and elated all over again. An experience I truly hope you seek out.
siii — May 1st, 2012, 1:16 pm
Thanks Matt! The elated recollections you now live with are exactly what I want and crave. I will definitely look into Palawan island.
Sebastian
Heather — April 22nd, 2012, 7:52 pm
Tim,
I have enjoyed every book and product you’ve ever promoted. I have discovered flying monkeys, great wines, a scanner, chocolates etc. I’ve come to accept your endorsement as a stamp of quality and to believe that if something appears in your blog that it’s something special or else you wouldn’t bother writing about it.
This book, sadly, had me asking if you owed the boy’s publisher a favor. The book is a poorly written (when there is actual writing) and is for the most part a scrapbook of artwork expressing other people’s whims/dreams. The artwork is probably not even done by the guys. They are a bunch of silly, immature, inconsequential, uneducated brats with vapid dreams. Streaking? Beating each other up until their faces were bloody? I’m really bummed that I spent the money.
Heather
Elaine Tiu — April 22nd, 2012, 9:02 pm
I’ve got the same sentiments with everyone on living a mediocre life!
This was such an inspiration to me that what I want to do before I die is exactly what the Buried Life is doing now.
Yannick — April 23rd, 2012, 1:04 am
Well 1 of my dreams/goal is to shake tim ferris’ hand, why? Thanks to him and the book the 4 hour body I’ve found out that I have gluten intolerance.
Gwen — April 23rd, 2012, 11:39 am
I want to make a documentary film of my family visiting Civil War sites as we gather data for educational projects.
LOVED this article. Spoke directly to my soul. Thanks!
Ralf — April 23rd, 2012, 3:13 pm
Absolute inspiring story.
Just exchanged my 100k + consulting job for a travellers life in Mexico. I want to inspire people to experience something in their life and therefore want to collect the coolest activities to do in the world and make them available for everyone… currently i’m looking for the coolest things to do in Mexico … already could tick off learning to surf, fishing in the pacific and seeing a active volcano from my list.
There is more to come.
You know any experiences in Mexico I can’t miss? Let me know at ralf(at)wishbird.net
Kristin — April 23rd, 2012, 10:13 pm
Thanks for the inspiration!
1. Act in my own tv show. Preferably an hour long drama
2. Go on a date with Tim. See where it leads.
Can anyone help?
John — April 24th, 2012, 5:48 am
Fall in love. Have a family…
Aboo — April 26th, 2012, 1:19 pm
1.) Sky-Dive with my son.
2.) Kiss Halle Berry.
3.) Not worry about money.
Jacob Cole — April 26th, 2012, 1:54 pm
@BenNemtin I’m part of a group of programmers at MIT/Stanford who want to help with #SaveRichard. One member is working on a social kidney/organ donation circle finder Facebook app: rough alpha at http://lifechain.info
Would love to talk! @jacobCole4000 jcole@mit.edu
Barbara Graff — April 26th, 2012, 5:45 pm
My dream is to have my art on exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum
of art in NYC; make my living souley with my art and to help those I meet
who are struggling so hard to help themselves. It is uplifting to see that
the Buried Life team is out there trying.
Katana Dufour — May 1st, 2012, 4:46 pm
Oh you sound like someone I want to be friends with!!!
Heating Contractor Parker co — April 28th, 2012, 2:58 am
Nice information, good stuff with good ideas and concepts, lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need, thanks for providing such helpful information here.
Marten — April 28th, 2012, 5:14 am
On my 20th birthday I wrote my own “list of 100 things to do before I am 30″ and never told anyone about my quest, not even my girlfriend.
I never heard of you guys, but really, you have some much energy and you make not only you but also other people happy. That’s what life is all about.!
I think I should tell people about my list, especially my girlfriend
Marten — April 28th, 2012, 5:19 am
N° 90 on my list: Do an epic practial joke.
Kevin C — April 29th, 2012, 7:50 pm
Anyone want to team up? I can be reached at kcardin1 AT binghamton.edu
Ziad — April 30th, 2012, 2:57 am
Amazing! I mean talk about life worth spent. Good job guys keep it going. God bless you for inspiring so many people around the world who simply cannot think outside the box and always have reasons not to go after their dreams.
utkarsh bajpai — April 30th, 2012, 3:14 am
Hii,
Great guys…I am quite inspired.
I want to get admitted to the best rural management institute of our country and Later in mid of my life I want to establish my own NGO.
Hope I will achieve it.
Elaine Hiebert — April 30th, 2012, 8:47 am
To be in a loving relationship with someone who is as committed as I am to respect each other’s personhood and goals for life no matter how unrealistic they appear and to hear the man I love say “I love you.” back to me.
matt miller — April 30th, 2012, 9:20 am
I would love to get my dad out here to Japan to see his mom who he hasn’t seen since he was five years old. To bring healing to his heart and her’s. I’ve experienced a lot in life but if this were to ever occur, it would top everything I’ve ever accomplished and dreamt of so far for my life.
Chelsie — April 30th, 2012, 7:03 pm
I just finished up your book a few days ago and I loved it. I loved the fact that it was autographed even more. I have a pretty extensive Bucket List and am well on my way to slashing a few off. One thing that I still haven’t found the courage to do is to go crowd-surfing. I have grown up my whole life with an anxiety disorder and although I am doing my best to live despite of my fears I still haven’t been able to accomplish many of the things I wish for.
Katana Dufour — May 1st, 2012, 4:44 pm
I want 300 sponsor kids; I want to send every kid from my Indian reservation in Canada to Thunder Teen Camp in California; and I want my artwork to be a mural posted on skyscrapers and I want to design album art for AFI. Also I want to learn the same things Carlos Castenada did from don Juan, and teach art classes around the world.
Jon — May 4th, 2012, 2:09 pm
Drive a formula one race car
angele — May 4th, 2012, 3:02 pm
i would like to create music for big names and be a big fashion designer with my own boutiques around the world, to make women beautiful everywhere, ive struggled with anxiety for years and its put my dreams on hold…..I keep persevering, but its an insain task with anxiety like no other…
Anu Gunn — May 8th, 2012, 2:45 am
Be the lead actor in a timeless blockbuster movie & headline a stadium concert!
Kate — May 8th, 2012, 7:08 am
Truly amazing story guys! Proof that if you set your mind to it, it can be done!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Mike G — May 9th, 2012, 1:11 pm
The list is long, but the biggest ones for me are to headline The Paramount Theater in Seattle and Denver and have my own hour long Comedy Central Special.
I recently put in my two weeks at a job after being a graphic designer for 10 years and am now reading Tim’s book to figure how to generate income that will allow me to pursue my goal of comedy.
Reading this article and the ones of so many other successful people is incredibly inspiring!
Kelvin — May 10th, 2012, 7:29 pm
Get paid to coach hockey. Go to Europe.
Ilona Bou-Habib — May 11th, 2012, 3:06 pm
I want to have all factory farms on earth close down and to create peace on earth.
Love
Brianna Vannello — May 13th, 2012, 8:01 am
I accomplished 2 of my goals: Meet Tom Delonge (from Blink-182) [i did, twice!] and see Blink-182 front row ( did once) was amazing.
I want to open my own Daycare and make it one of the best daycares in the world, open a vegan/vegetarian fast food place, open a cupcake shop, meet Phillip Phillips, shut down all inhumane slaughterhouses/zoos/circuses that have animals in them/bull riding competitions And puppy mills. write a best-selling novel, stop oil use and make everyone drive electric cars, give birth to or adopt identical twin boys, find an amazing boyfriend and marry him, be able to afford and buy a big house as big as my old one and build a tree house like the one my dad built when we were little for my kids, get an early childhood education degree and an infant-toddler certificate, travel to canada with my best friend Sherri and meet the cast of degrassi & Michael Seater, get my mom to meet Johnny Depp & Paul McCartney, meet the boys from Good Charlotte, get me & my brother to meet Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker & having the best time of our lives meeting all these people, save the life of an abused child and help them rehabilitate, save the life of a preemie, deliver a baby, help a foster child feel loved, stop child abuse from ever happening again, give a poor or homeless person 100 dollars and help them use it wisely, be able to go on a plane, go to California and have my brother skateboard with Tom Delonge, help my uncle actually eat healthy and like healthy food so he gets better, help Sherron Gurepko become a member of a band and perform in front of a big crod and them love her.
Brianna Vannello — May 13th, 2012, 8:06 am
crowd* oh and meet Jared and Jensen from Supernatural!
Brianna Vannello — May 13th, 2012, 8:02 am
oh and help my brother quit smoking cigarettes for good.
Nomadic Samuel — May 14th, 2012, 5:40 pm
As a travel blogger, I often read other’s bucket lists and I even have one of my own. It’s inspiring to see an individual manifest these into reality.
Amy may — May 14th, 2012, 8:14 pm
I want to be a back up dancer for somebody famous!
Wayne — May 15th, 2012, 12:23 pm
I turn 44 next month. I’ve lead a pretty interesting life so far. I’ve played in a rock band that did ok for a couple of years, allowing me to play a couple large festivals, open for INXS, and a few stadium shows. I’ve had some awesome relationships but never married. A few years back I decided that I wanted to concentrate on my photography so I threw what I needed into my SUV and for over 4 winter months I road tripped the back-roads of Canada from coast to coast on a shoestring budget. The following year I sold everything I owned and did the same through the Southwest States.
Now, as I sense my good friend (who is a couple of years older than I) is going through that restless feeling, we are looking at starting a similar but different project to Buried Life. More directed at people our age who may be feeling it’s too late to do what they dream of. The goal. To live, experience and inspire. I’ll keep you all posted.
Andrew Hoover — May 16th, 2012, 7:59 am
Ultimately my #1 item is to show my kids and friends that they can accomplish their dreams.
I want to do this by finishing college, building three different kinds of robots, building a successful automation business, learning to fly (pilot’s license – not be a pilot as a career), traveling to select places in the world, all while spending time with them.
Johnny C — May 17th, 2012, 3:45 pm
This is so incredible. I wanted to dissolve, to be part of exile. But now- now!- and, it took me 21-years to realize it- but I now know I need to create a community of dreamers, focused like lasers. Like Kerouac said, “I saw that my life was an empty glowing page and I could do whatever I wanted.”
Luck to all of you, be effortless, thank the one’s who need thanking, remember better times can be as close as a split second away, and capture every fleeting flash that skips across your mind.
I don’t know where I’m going or what I’m going to do, but I’m going to get there. I love the hell out of this post and I hope it never dissolves into the cobwebs of the internet.
Later and luck to you all.
PS- “With a wide open country in our hearts. And these romantic dreams in our heads,” – Springsteen.
Tyrone Jr. — May 25th, 2012, 11:54 am
Hi guys
The one thing I want to do before I die , is to travel the world and get paid for it.
Peacewolf — May 25th, 2012, 7:47 pm
I want, more than anything, to start an incredibly successful internet business, sell it, and then be able to have enough land to open an animal shelter for abused and neglected dogs.
Marissa — May 27th, 2012, 7:18 pm
1. go skydiving
2. swim with sharks
Ryan — May 29th, 2012, 2:08 pm
#77: kiss the queen of england
Kristen — May 29th, 2012, 3:30 pm
I’d like to go to college in Canada. (I live in Nebraska), and then proceed to travel around the world, possibly teaching English as a second language to third world countries. What ever I end up doing, I just want to know that I’m making a difference in someone’s life.
Bucket list : 1. Go on a date with Taylor lautner.
2. Be known for something extraordinary
Zach — May 29th, 2012, 10:46 pm
How about mtn biking with GWB, 10 times more entertaining than bball with Obama.
Lynn Scramuzza — May 30th, 2012, 12:41 pm
I’ve accomplished several of my life goals: get married to the love of my life, get pregnant and have a child or children, life in a vacation community full-time, sing professionally, to name a few. I think that living and working abroad would be my current answer. Also, like you fellas, I’d like to be able to earn the credibility — trust and respect — to help people to see beyond the boundaries of their current reality to the possibility that exists for all people to make the world we live in a better place.
Lucas — June 1st, 2012, 8:47 pm
This may sound dumb, but throwing the first pitch at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Lizett Pajuelo — June 4th, 2012, 8:45 pm
It is so great to read about all this. Congratulations on achieving so much…I know how it can feel
.
I actually have a couple of things to do on my bucket list, and perhaps you can give me a hint on where to start. I am a poli sci major, but i come from a low income- one parent family. I just finished my undergraduate degree. Through the last 3 years of my college life I became vey envolved with an organization founded by a couple of my friends at the time that focuses in educating children and families of under privilaged communities in developing and under developed nations. The organization is called DRYVE: Distributing Resources to Youth through Volunteer Efforts (we have a facebook page, and we can be googled for more info). Any ways, we’ve been working towards turning it to an NGO, and things are progressing just fine. However, every year we struggle with coming up with a project and sponsors/supporters. We’ve done several projects done in the Dominican Republic in impoverish communities building schools, bringing school supplies, and holding workshops to name a few. But now we are looking to expand our project to go more international. Anyways, we are lacking contacts for fundrasing and planning projects in other nations as well. Even though I just graduated this spring, I want to help my old group fund a solit donors contact list. This would be a great thing for our organization. If anyone wants to be envolved, please email us to dryve.team@gmail.com for more info and on how to become envolved.
My oe other important dream on my bucket list is to meet President Obama and talk to him abt ideas on how to help developing and underdevelop nations have a more stable society, etc. I studied International Affairs and Political Science, and he has been one of my biggest influence during my career choice
.
Bianca — June 6th, 2012, 3:01 pm
I’d like to set up a lunch with my dad and his hero, pro golfer Jack Nicklaus.
Krisia — June 8th, 2012, 7:32 am
I want to be a Travel Journalist and be able to document my escapades.
I really want a DSLR to capture all the places I visit.
Andrea — June 16th, 2012, 5:12 am
Lovely article, I have been crossing my bucketlists off for the last 3 years and some things I still want to do are: join the peacecorps, make friends with an eskimo, move to spain to teach esl, and honeymoon in iceland.
Teddy — June 17th, 2012, 8:39 pm
I have three goals:
-visit Malta
-hang out with Zach Galafanakis
-meet The Buried Life guys
Someone — June 24th, 2012, 7:12 am
I’d like to do #100: go into space.
Cheryl J. — July 2nd, 2012, 12:43 am
Some things I want to do before I die:
- run an ultramarathon
- deadlift 3 times my bodyweight
- go to Burning Man
- travel abroad at least once a year
- change someone’s life (through education)
- participate in a nudist colony
- publish a piece of creative writing
- work on a farm or vineyard (temporarily, through a program like WOOF)
Miranda — July 10th, 2012, 6:41 pm
What do I want to do before I die? That is a very powerful and great question. I may not have it all listed out yet but I think I’m off to a good start. I flew an airplane for the first time at 16, got my pilot’s license at 17, and am now working on my instrument rating to fly without seeing outside. I have also had the fantastic opportunity to preach God’s word to college students. In the end, I want be an astronaut and walk on the moon more than anything in the world. In between now and then, I believe that there are endless possibilities. But what I would really love to do before I die is to continue what you have started…..I want to do the same thing…
alec fortune — July 15th, 2012, 10:59 am
I would like to just sit down and talk to Jessica Szohr for like 10mins
or feature in a movie with her even if its just a 5minute scene!! 
I’d also love to have a chat with Floyd Mayweather and Anderson silva!! But my main one is definitely just to chill with Szohr 
alec fortune — July 15th, 2012, 11:15 am
Also to visit newyork, las vegas and los angeles…and to write a best seller too
David — July 17th, 2012, 3:49 am
Take my wife and kids around the world. We are land locked in Oklahoma and I want them to experience new and beautiful lands like I was able to in the military. There is no greater education in the world than immersing yourself in another culture!
E. P. McKay — July 17th, 2012, 12:59 pm
My big goal right now is: to go to Brandenburg, Germany to (meet!) and visit my best and dearest friend and to learn about her culture by experience.
I am a musical, creative high school student. My parents are both students. I’m “legally blind” (blind in my left eye due to being born 15 weeks early). “Visually impaired” they say, I don’t se it as a “problem” but a challenge – it has enabled me to meet some pretty awesome people and to learn braille. What a blessing!
Madeline (my German friend) and I have been writing letters for many months now. She and I understand each other in a unique way because we think so much alike plus our stories are similar. I’m dying to meet her (though it feels like we’ve already known each other forever). We just write and write, Skype and Skype… hope for fast postmen, count days between letters, write ’till our hands ache, and dream of meeting.
I’ve been teaching voice lessons, writing, and will soon sing at weddings. Little by little the $$ are adding up… Small drops of water wear away big stones. I WILL go to Germany. Such an adventure!
Noel Villeneuve — August 13th, 2012, 12:47 pm
WouLd like to be able to walk into any city in the world and see people wearing a shirt that I printed.
Great story Tim & TBL.
Keep up the great work. Just watched the roulette episode. It was the first thing I’ve seen. Very inspiring.
Sue — November 12th, 2012, 12:52 am
Hi guys, just started reading the “The 4-Hour Week” and i must say that it’s changed my life in a matter of days. Thanks Tim. What’s interesting is that a friend (new) and i were discussing our bucket lists last week way before i even knew that there was this amazing book and blog and i have been especially inspired by Ben’s story on helping someone else tick an item off their bucket list. My new friend is the most kind, gentle, genuine and goodhearted person i have met in a while, i have since dubbed him Sir Andy for his uncommon kindness and gentleness. To cut the long story short, one of the items on Sir Andy’s bucket list is to visit China more so, the place where Kungfu started. I need your help to make this a reality for him. I need your support on three fronts:
1. Information on where Kungfu started.
2. I need to raise enough money for his trip. Please let me know if you know of any online work opportunities. I am game for any work be it document review and editing, data analysis, presentations, business plans, etc. I am employed full time but i am willing to work evenings and/or over the weekend to save for my friend’s trip.
3. Any other ideas on how to make this the trip of his life.
Thanks guys and i look forward to receiving your thoughts/suggestions/ideas.
Much love,
Sue
Mike — November 21st, 2012, 9:34 am
Love reading your stories. A great inspiration for me and many I am sure!
José — December 18th, 2012, 2:27 pm
Thanks for this! Let’s make it happen.
Joanne — March 21st, 2013, 6:34 am
I will be proud of my body & happy about my weight. I will feel physically energetic & emotionally well & have all the energy that I need to accomplish my next goal which is working with veterans with PTSD.
Jimmy — April 1st, 2013, 1:16 pm
Hi guys,
I know that this is an old post, but at the same time I feel that it should be read by more and more people. Your story is unbelievable. During the last 1.5 year I read it more than 15 times. I actually printed it and read whenever I had self-doubts. As Tim would say it was like “steroids for my entrepreneurial brain”.
Great job and I hope that you will manage to continuously extend your list of goals.
Thanks for the inspiration and keep raising the bar!
Jimmy
Rachael — May 1st, 2013, 3:07 pm
I want to intern for The Buried Life, and help them cross of the remaining items on their list, which are similar to some of mine.
Chip — May 5th, 2013, 4:44 am
I never heard your story until it was posted by a friend in FB today. I wish to commend you for the courage you have…., but more importantly for the INSTILLING of courage in those who read your story.
Noone who knows me would ever say that I’m without courage…., and I am not. However, as I have sons your age, I realize after reading your story, that I had put my dreams and goals on the back-burner having to go thru some very harsh experiences and separation from loved ones.
THAT will be stopping very soon and with Gods’ help and direction, I’ll be back on the goals He buried so deep in me that I had almost lost my drive. Thanks for helping me to RE-MIND.
Chip
Willie Faison — May 25th, 2013, 1:04 pm
I feel your energy, your blog is inspirational and inspiring, I’m new to affiliate marketing and blogging, and now reading and commenting on great Blogs with helpful an moving content…. I’m enjoyed my time spent on your page
bowen — June 14th, 2013, 1:13 am
Not at all a surprise to me that I see the founder of Nerd Fitness on here.
Wil — June 15th, 2013, 4:49 am
I graduated college and I’m working towards living my dreams. You’ve been one of the most influential people in my journey of following my dreams and deciding I didn’t want a traditional lifestyle.