This talk just appeared on TED (a fantastic website if you have never been).

The gist of the talk (which only goes for a few minutes) is that the best way to achieve a goal is to keep it to yourself. Take a look and see if you agree.

Personally, I don’t tend to agree. Having this blog and speaking to many people about the project has been very beneficial in keeping me motivated to keep achieving. Each to his own I guess.

If you have been following this year’s Wimbledon, you would have heard about the epic, world-record, longest ever match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, which lasted over 11 hours. Read about it here.

The final score, in Isner’s favour, was 6-4 3-6 6-7 7-6 70-68.

How many games is that?

That’s right – 183!

This coming Wednesday night (June 2, between 6-9pm) I am presenting at a goal setting workshop in London. As you can tell from this blog, I like to work towards achieving goals, no matter the scale, and I also like to meet and talk to other people who are starting, or have completed, big goals of their own.

It’s free to take part, so if you are keen to get involved, you can find out more here.

My next door neighbour at work, Amalia, has just embarked on a brand new endeavour – as a cast member of an amateur radio theatre production.

I am excited because it is always great to see people try new things, and she seems to be having a great time so far.

And it means I get to experience 1940’s radio theatre in a month’s time when the production starts (Nat and I will be there, cheering her on).

If you are in London at the start of June, why not head along too. Buy tickets here.

A to-do list is a neat way of keeping track of what you need to get done.

I like to-do lists (as you might have guessed!) and was really impressed when I stumbled across Teux Deux recently.

It is a recently launched free to-do tool and what I like about it is that is so simple (or as they describe it, minimalist).

My favourite bit is the logically-named ‘Someday’ section, where you can jump throw stuff in that you want to do ’someday’.

I have been using it for a while now, and think that if you are looking for a easy-to-use to-do list tool, give it a try.

Head to the website to sign up.

And good luck with your teux-deux lists!

I turn 27 next Wednesday, which will mark 3 years until the big ‘three-o’, and the end of Project 183.

There are still 119 goals to achieve. Splitting this over 3 years, that means about 40 goals a year, or about 3-4 goals a month.

It is going to be a big three years! Thanks to everyone who has been along for the ride so far.

Monina Velarde, a clever designer, has developed a simple tool for anyone struggling to come up with their new year’s resolution.

Head to the site, click one button, and your inspirational resolution is delivered. Simple.

Check it out here.

[The Daily What]

Have a great night tonight everyone, and thanks for taking an interest in my project during 2009.

Here’s to a big 2010!

Sometimes, sources of inspiration are on your doorstep.

One of the people at my work is a guy called Stephen.

Stephen is a unique character. He is never short of a story, is always friendly and happy around the office, and he is someone that personifies the spirit of never believing it is too late to start something new.

Despite being what some might describe as a member of ‘the older generation’ (he has just turned 60 and proudly holds a Freedom Pass), Stephen has not let the opportunities of life slip him by. Let me give you a couple of examples.

At 50, despite never having ridden a motorbike before, Stephen bought a Harley Davidson. While waiting for the bike to arrive at the showroom, he learnt how to ride, got his license, and when the Harley was ready to pick up, he successfully drove the bike home.

And just this year, a burning desire to learn guitar was finally realised, with Stephen starting guitar lessons once a week and putting to use the Fender he bought a few years earlier.

Too often I hear people say that it is too late to start this, or too late to do that.

To them I say – it is NEVER too late!

And for the thousands of Stephens out there that are living proof of this, thanks.

I came across this book in the bookshop today. Probably the perfect antidote for anyone who doesn’t want to start up a list.

I flicked through it at the shop (didn’t buy it of course, as it might have an adverse effect on my list!), and found it quite amusing.

Here is the snippet of the description from Amazon:

Can’t Be Arsed is a hilarious diatribe that takes a detailed look at the alternative side of the 101 most frequently cited must do’s, revealing the ugly details that most of these guidebooks conveniently ignore. It gives off-putting facts and statistics to quote at holier-than-thou thrillseekers, so the next time somebody tells you that you simply must swim with dolphins, read Kafka in Prague, or go skydiving, you can tell them exactly where to get off.

So, if you are looking for some light relief to the pressure of making and completing a list, check out Can’t Be Arsed.

Get it online here.