This board doesn't include "everything" that I plan to accomplish and experience. There's so much more, of course. I could write list after list after list, never-ending.
But this board includes some of the most prominent items.
Each item on the board is a promise to myself that I intend to keep.
Being limited to one board (rather than, say, 10 or 25 boards) forces me to simplify and focus.
We may have unlimited love, unlimited passion, unlimited creativity, but we do have limited time—so how shall we spend it? On which things and why?
I like assigning specific numbers to items, because it makes ambitious visions feel concrete and attainable.
For instance, I want to fundraise $1 million dollars for social justice causes and charities. That breaks down to $40,000 per year for the next 25 years of my life. That is challenging but doable. As of this year, I am on track.
I want to help 1,000 people to write a book. This means I need to run The Tiny Book Course at least 5 times with 200 students. Or 10 times with 100 students. This can be done.
I want to write 10 books in my lifetime. 6 down. 4 to go. It's happening.
As for my last goal on the board (becoming an "early person" who arrives 15 minutes ahead of schedule for every appointment), in that regard I am an utter disaster but sincerely hope to reform my ways! If you know the secret to being early, please tell me how it's done. I am a willing and eager student, ready to learn.
. . .
What's on your Before I Die, I Will... list?
What are the promises you want to make to yourself and to the world?
And what's your plan to get it done?
What do you need (supplies, checklists, funding, mentorship, training, faith, courage, commitment, patience, a distraction-free workspace where you can think clearly, or something else) in order to keep each promise you've made?
It is never too late to throw yourself into a project that feels powerful and important.
It might be a big, dazzling, audacious project that makes headline news and wins awards.
Or it might be something private, tender, and quiet—something that nobody knows about except you and a few people you love.
You can start it. You can finish it. And even if you never completely finish it, the fact that you tried still means something. Trying is always worth it.
Even unfinished projects (and imperfect projects) can still profoundly touch people's lives and change the world.
Here we are today, alive, breathing, hearts still beating.
So, there is enough time to try.
-Alex
PS. A 90-minute music playlist I made that is a little somber, a little weird, eclectic and good for writing, yoga, a long walk, or whatever else you might be doing today.
PPS. Thank you for being part of my newsletter community. Whether we've worked together numerous times in the past, or we've never met, or we connected a long time ago in a different era of life, or you joined this mailing list two hours ago...I am grateful you're here. Thanks for reading. I hope each email brings a spark of something good into your week.
