No Opportunity Wasted (N.O.W.)

The leadership mantra "No Opportunity Wasted" is all about taking control of your life experience before time passes you by. Learn how to create a life list that is motivating and fulfilling and create habits in your life that will keep you reaching to achieve your goals.

Isn’t it true that the longer you put off something that you’ve always “planned” on doing (or dreamed of doing) the chances of actually accomplishing that goal tend to diminish over time?

As people get older our lives get busier, and the busier we get the faster time seems to move along. Before we know it we're into the next chapter of life.

"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
- W. Churchill

No Opportunity Wasted: 8 Ways to Create a List for the Life You Want (N.O.W.), written by TV Host of The Amazing Race, Phil Keoghan, does NOT encourage every reader to go out and risk their neck.

N.O.W. does, however, encourage you to search deep inside yourself to uncover the hidden, or long forgotten, dreams and ambitions of your youth, and make a decision to begin a journey to a more fulfilling life.

Leading and experiencing a full life means opening yourself up to new experiences, placing yourself into situations that are challenging – that stretch the boundaries of your ordinary daily routine.

N.O.W. is no armchair adventure book. It is an urgent call to action - inspiring and enabling you to seek out and initiate memorable experiences.

No Opportunity Wasted teaches us how to live in the here and now; making the most of our opportunities while they are still in front of us; about releasing ourselves from the expectations of our family and friends; and taking the first step in the long road toward achieving our greatest goals.

The book is also about taking the time to invite your loved ones to participate and share in the magical experiences you will encounter along the journey. In the process it's important to connect with like-minded people, which will strengthen your resolve and help you to learn and grow.

Why Break New Ground?

Does this all sound a bit self indulgent? Would you perhaps feel a little guilty chasing a dream at the expense of spending quality time at home or with your regular circle of family and friends?

The concept of N.O.W. encourages us to protect our important relationships, but to also balance our time in doing for others, and doing for ourselves. Only when you are at your best, can you be at your best for the people you love the most.

Sure, following your dream might mean making a tough choice or two. Making touch choices are also a large part of learning and growing as an individual. However, in the end, when the dream is achieved it will leave you more self-fulfilled and you’ll be a better person and, by extension, a happier wife, husband, mother, father or friend.

Think you are too old for this kind of adventurous lifestyle? NONSENSE.

If you believe age is a limit, then your attitude may be the only thin holding you back. True leaders who live life to the fullest look around this wonderful world of ours and realize that people are living longer, leading fuller lives.

Retirees are on the go at a higher pace than ever before. Why not join in the fun?

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

No Opportunity Wasted Stories

Along the chapters of this book you'll meet people from all walks of life, many you wouldn't expect to meet, who are living out their dreams.

Stories include a nun who is motivated to set world record for a triathlon; an 89-year-old water skier; a young surfer who won't let paralysis keep him off the board; a husband who helps his musician wife to finally shine in the spotlight, and many more.

But what if you have absolutely no idea what you would want to do even if you had the time and were 100% willing? The author takes care of this for you as well by providing what seems like countless ideas on how to get you out of your comfort zone and into the 'living life more fully" arena.

Keoghan provides a clear, step-by-step guide to help you create a personalized "List for Life" by following 8 memorable themes

Four of the eight ways to create a list for the life you want include:

Face Your Fear: Sometimes, swimming with the sharks - literally - can help us overcome the obstacles that hold us back.
Get Lost: Whether you're going around the world or just across town, great possibilities await at every turn if you're willing to lose yourself in the experience. Increase your awareness of these opportunities and you will increase your chances to take full advantage of each one as it arises.
Test Your Limits: Regardless of your age or physical conditioning, get the most out of an experience by pushing and stretching your capabilities.
Aim for the Heart: Often the best way to live out your own dream is to help others to live out theirs.

One of the messages we like most in No Opportunity Wasted: 8 Ways to Create a List for the Life You Want is the simple, yet sometimes overlooked, concept of just having fun in the process. This and other memorable life and leadership lessons are what makes this book so valuable.

"There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; but sadly most people do not firmly resolve to make it happen."

The author states that the one thing you cannot forget to pack on any of your journeys is a good healthy sense of humor.

Isn’t it true that so long as you maintain a quality sense of humor along the way, you will not only survive the experience, you are guaranteed to create some terrific memories along the way?

Packed with practical suggestions and examples - and driven by Phil Keoghan's fresh, compelling N.O.W. philosophy, this is a book that will help you dream more freely and live more fully.

We encourage you to read No Opportunity Wasted. It’s an entertaining read, and time well spent.