The Death Clock

Show Notes

The Death Clock

You have decided that you want to live more adventurously. You've got a head full of exciting ideas. You even know what your Doorstep Mile action is. 

But you can't begin it today, because you're tired. 

Actually, all of this week is pretty busy, so maybe it's best to wait until the first of the month to kick-start it. 'New month, new me!' 

The trouble is that next month, and the one after that, you will still be tired and busy. 

This is my final attempt to shake you into action, to remind you that time is ticking and that the harshest deadline of all is looming. Memento mori and all that. I want to finish by sharing with you one of my favourite websites... 

Check out www.deathclock.com. 

Death Clock calculates the date of your death. If you're the sort of procrastinating person who needs a deadline to get something done, well, there it is. Your deadline! Stick it in your diary now.

We had better get on with life, there's not long enough left, however old we are, and it is later than we think. 

Those of us reading this book are at the lottery winning end of the human spectrum. We are so lucky. We have a degree of choice over our lives. The course of our life will depend upon the decisions we make and the paths we walk. We can choose our own story and make it happen. Dust off your violin and stand in your plaza. Face the crowd, smile and give it your best shot. You might be surprised by how warmly the world responds. 

Above the desk in my shed is a quote. I see it every day.

'The life that I could still live, I should live and the thoughts that I could still think, I should think.'

OVER TO YOU: 

• What date does the Death Clock predict you'll snuff it? Put it into your diary.
• What story will you choose to live before then?

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What is The Doorstep Mile?

Would you like a more adventurous life?
Are you being held back by a lack of time or money? By fear, indecision, or a feeling of being selfish or an imposter?
Living adventurously is not about cycling around the world or rowing across an ocean.
Living adventurously is about the attitude you choose each day. It instils an enthusiasm to resurrect the boldness and curiosity that many of us lose as adults.
Whether at work or home, taking the first step to begin a new venture is daunting. If you dream of a big adventure, begin with a microadventure.
This is the Doorstep Mile, the hardest part of every journey.
The Doorstep Mile will reveal why you want to change direction, what’s stopping you, and how to build an adventurous spirit into your busy daily life.
Dream big, but start small.

Don’t yearn for the adventure of a lifetime. Begin a lifetime of living adventurously.
What would your future self advise you to do?
What would you do if you could not fail?
Is your to-do list urgent or important?
You will never simultaneously have enough time, money and mojo.
There are opportunities for adventure in your daily 5-to-9.
The hardest challenge is getting out the front door and beginning: the Doorstep Mile.

Alastair Humphreys, a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, cycled around the world for four years but also schedules a monthly tree climb. He has crossed the Empty Quarter desert, rowed the Atlantic, walked a lap of the M25 and busked through Spain, despite being unable to play the violin.

‘The gospel of short, perspective-shifting bursts of travel closer to home.’ New York Times
‘A life-long adventurer.’ Financial Times
‘Upend your boring routine… it doesn't take much.’ Outside Magazine

Visit www.alastairhumphreys.com to listen to Alastair's podcast, sign up to his newsletter or read his other books.
@al_humphreys