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.

Might seem slightly bizarre that this one didn’t make the list (especially as I struggled to think of the last 20 or 30 goals!).

But it didn’t make it.

Not that it was a goal that I didn’t want to achieve.

Anyhoo, it is now a goal that has been achieved.

What was the goal?

To get engaged (and then married).

That’s right readers. Nat and I are now engaged to be married!

I am officially a grown-up now, complete with fiance status, and a big bill from the beautiful engagement ring that Nat now wears on her finger.

I have to say – this is the best non-goal I think I have ever achieved.

I love you Nat – thanks for agreeing to continue putting up with me!

Came across an interesting post today that puts into question the merit of publicising my list of goals onto a public forum.

The post was about how announcing your plans to other people,  before actually achieving them, can actually hinder the chances of achieving the objective of the plan. Or ‘keep quiet til the job is done’.

Here is a small excerpt:

”

Tests done since 1933 show that people who talk about their intentions are less likely to make them happen.

Announcing your plans to others satisfies your self-identity just enough that you’re less motivated to do the hard work needed.

In 1933, W. Mahler found that if a person announced the solution to a problem, and was acknowledged by others, it was now in the brain as a “social reality”, even if the solution hadn’t actually been achieved.

“

You can read the full post here.

So, according to this theory, creating Project 183 is a good idea, but creating a website dedicated to the listing, and ongoing accomplishment of the goals in Project 183 is a bad idea…

…not in my opinion!

From my experience, putting my goals into a website has had the opposite effect.

As well as the feeling of pride when I write a ‘completed goal’ post, it has given me a feeling of accountability, because I know that there are readers who have followed the project for a while, and the occasional reader who has been inspired as a result. To not do everything possible to complete the project would not just disappoint me, but potentially it could be a bit disheartening for other people too.

Of course, every case is different, and it is up to the individual to decide for themselves whether to talk plans before or after they are achieved. But for me, telling people early is great motivation to get things done.

For a few days last week, the London Underground train network went on strike.

Mass chaos and confusion among Londoners followed. People couldn’t get in to London and had to work from home, and the roads were jampacked with cars. A long walk was the only option for a lot of people.

That was until Paul Clarke came along.

On the night before the strike, he declared his motorbike available as a mode of transport for anyone willing to jump on the back with him. Calling it the Tweetbike, he publicised his service on his website and Twitter account.

And I am proud to say that I took him up on the offer, and got a free lift into work last week. Was officially the first person to ride the tweetbike too!

The concept ended up proving so popular, the BBC even wrote about it.

When I arrived into work, most people raised their eyebrows that I had jumped on the back of a motorbike, let alone with someone I had never met or spoken to before.

But I survived, and had a great time, from start to end. And thank you Paul, for the great, and at times exhilarating start to my day.

Often it is when you go into the unknown or risky that you end up with the most memorable experiences. Never let uncertainty get in the way of a great opportunity.

You can read all about Paul’s tweetbike here, and the BBC article here.

Sean has written a post about ten tips for creating a useful bucket list.

Great reading for anyone about to start.

If this is you, check out the post here.

I am off this week for a great two week vacation, which includes a week in Bali to catch up with the family. While here, I plan to knock off goal 81, which is to go scuba diving.

In the meantime, I will decide if I have already knocked off goal 172, which is to form and play in a basketball team.

Reason for having to decide is that I have just formed and started playing in a football (soccer) team. The point of the goal was to form a sporting team, and basketball seemed as good a sport as any to nominate. But everyone over in the UK plays/is obsessed by football instead.

But should my forming of a football team count? Feel free to comment.