On September 29th, 2010, I sat down, put pen to paper, and created my life list in anticipation of my upcoming 26th birthday. I’m sure I’ll add to and delete from this list over the years, but as is usually the case, the most important first step is to simply get started.

I’m currently in the process of creating a tracking system for each of these items. I believe this will help me hold myself accountable to them, but also will encourage me to continue to achieve my goals.

Here is my list as it stands, in no particular order:

• Write/publish a book.
• Live debt free.
• Visit all 50 states.
• Learn to play guitar.
• Learn to screenprint.
• Build a house.
• Visit 10 countries.
• Plant a garden
• Weigh 175-180 pounds again.
• Make 5 cheeses from scratch.
• Interview 100 people.
• Design a poster for my favorite band.
• Give away 100 pieces of art.
• Work for myself.
• Plant 10 different types of fruit trees.
• Run a marathon.
• Do 100 pushups.
• Write and illustrate a children’s book.
• Film a documentary.
• Have a gallery showing of my art/photography.
• Photograph 1,000 people.
• Catch and cook my own dinner.
• Record and release an album.
• Design and hand print a t-shirt.
• Publish a book of photography.
• Eliminate clutter by donating/selling/etc. 10 items weekly for a year.
• Go scuba diving.
• Ride a train across a country.
• Learn another language.
• Photograph 200 species of birds in the wild
• Hand churn my own ice cream.
• Make a stained glass window.
• Chase a storm.
• Watch every ‘Best Picture’ winner.
• Read 100 classic stories.
• Learn how to start a fire without matches or a lighter.
• Solve a Rubik’s cube.
• Photograph 10 castles.
• Find 100 geocaches and sign the log books.
• Send a message in a bottle and find a message in a bottle.
• Buy the coffee/meal of the person in line behind me.
• Donate >$10,000 to save endangered species.
• Have a conversation with 10 ‘celebrities’ I look up to.
• Bury a time capsule.
• Ride 100 rollercoasters.
• Photograph 100 found junk vehicles.
• Hold/pet 10 strange creatures (think tarantula/snake/etc.). 
• Carve something from a tree that I chop down myself.
• Run a mile in under 6 minutes.
• Go on a safari.
• Use up an entire ink pen/journal.
• Design, mold and paint my own designer vinyl toy.
• Have >100,000 views on my blog in a month.