If you promise to do it tomorrow, it will never get done today

A couple of mornings ago, over my second cup of coffee one morning, I had done a fairly standard Internet search for Travel Blogs and amongst my surfing ended up at Alastair Humphreys’ web site. In particular it was a page about micro-adventures and what you need to know that fuelled this morning’s realisation.

And so, on the back of the assumption that given the average age of my immediate ancestors and my current age, statistically I had very few years ( four to be precise) to live.

In reality this calculation (hopefully) has nothing to do with my life expectancy but it did get me thinking that for too long, I had been saying “one day I want to do that or go there”. The epiphany being, that if I was to die any time soon, then unless I stopped making excuses, I would never achieve any of these ambitions.

So I got to work on my ‘but” list.

No longer would I say:

  • “But I am to old” – This is the first one that came to mind and you know, it is now my greatest motivation. I will be 61 in February 2014 and people look at me as if I am stupid when I say dreamily that I have always wanted to ride from Adelaide to Perth or take a ride in an ultra-lite. Some have even said it! Realistically I may not achieve the ride to Perth, it is 2000 km of some very challenging road, but dreaming is free and in the meantime, I am in training for shorter rides than may or may not provide the impetus to do the big one.
  • “But I can’t afford the money” – now I think how can I afford this or even, hang it, I just will make it work.
  • “But I don’t have the time” – Time I have plenty of. I don’t work a job that has me slaving away 24 / 7 and my children have left home, so I just need to prioritize differently.
  • “But I don’t know how” – The Internet has been my greatest supporter in debunking this little myth. If I don’t know something, then I research it online, with friends or find local experts or retailers who can provide the information I need.
  • “But I don’t have the right equipment” – This one is easy, find out what you need, and either buy, borrow or hire it as your budget allows. If you research the requirements of your trip / challenge then you will have a fair idea of what equipment best suits your needs. Again, talking to people is often the best source of information, or else do it with a qualified person who can provide the equipment.
  • “But I can’t afford the money” – now I think how can I afford this or even, hang it, I just will make it work.
  • “But I am scared” – The key to this one is to understand why you are afraid and face it. Twice in the last month I have stood (literally) on the edge of a challenge, wanted to back away, but refused. I understand the risk and how to avoid it, so ultimately, I just had to push the fear aside and accept the challenge. Both times I loved the experience and regret nothing.
  • “But it might be dangerous” – Again, I do my research and weigh up the dangers. I have yet to find something that I want to do that I feel really is seriously life threatening. Dangerous things on my list I do with qualified instructors who I know would not be doing it themselves if it was going to risk their life or limb. I now know this excuse as really just another version of the previous one.
  • “But I don’t have anyone to go with me” – Ask yourself do you really need anyone to go with you? If it is something you want to do, then perhaps you can do it alone or join a group / tour of like-minded strangers. You never know, you may find you work well alone or you may make new friends who can join you to achieve other goals

Since rising to the challenge, I have been diving with White Pointer Sharks, abseiled down cliffs, taken up bike riding again as training for tackling the 900km Mawson Trail and been to India and Nepal. Gradually, the outstanding items on My Bucket List is being whittled down.

Nowadays I am constantly looking for half day activities, destinations or things of interest. In short, I have never felt more alive, healthier or happier! The best thing of all I realised this morning, I made the change myself. I did not need a doctor or family member tell be to get up off my “butt” and live life, I took it in both hands myself.

Now I no longer have a “But List”