Project bucket list: how one Notts man is changing his life one goal at a time

This is quite a remarkable adventure you've set yourself. What first inspired you to create the bucket list?
Most of us have a mental bucket list, but it’s a hazy collection of ‘somedays’ that never happen. Back in December 2023 I was stuck in a massive rut. I was working too much, scrolling too much, and waiting for life to magically get better.

I woke up one day and decided to stop waiting, so I wrote down one hundred things that I wanted to do and gave myself four years to get through them. That single decision added urgency and accountability to my life. I’ve completed 44/100 so far, and it’s completely changed how I see myself and what I think is possible.

Tell us about some of your favourite adventures so far…
Iceland was amazing. We went there to see the Northern Lights, and also ended up exploring volcanic tunnels in the dark, and hiking up to waterfalls. It was my first long-haul adventure in a country I didn’t know, and it made me realise that I was capable of more than I thought.

Wine tasting was special, and surprisingly affordable. If you want an excuse to get a glass of wine at 11am, go find a vineyard – that’s my advice! Even renting a convertible Mustang was way cheaper than I expected. There’s often a more affordable way of doing things than you’d initially expect, you just have to be creative sometimes.

I’ve just come back from a herpetological trip to Arizona, where we went out tracking rattlesnakes, but some of the most meaningful moments have been local. I’ve foraged for food in Nottingham, I’ve planted a hundred trees at Colwick Woods, spent time at the Buddhist Centre, and even been stargazing at the Sherwood Observatory. I’ve met some fantastic people locally doing these magnificent things.

I haven’t put my life on pause. I’m still working full-time and living a normal life. There’s a lot of saving up, swapping favours and saying yes to odd opportunities. That’s the real magic behind it, a bit of Walter Mitty and a dash of Yes Man!

You've got all sorts on the list – from skills to learn ('lasso something'/'go surfing'), to the dull-but-sensible ('sort out pension'/'learn first aid'), to the intrepid ('get into flying'/'hold a tarantula'). How has this balance helped?
Balance is everything. The Federico Fellini quote, “You have to live spherically - in many directions”, is my blueprint. I’ve learnt how to dance tango, how to ride a motorcycle, and I even forged a sword from scratch, but I’ve also ticked off practical things, like trying to fix my car and learning first aid. 

The point isn’t just to travel – I’m trying to become more capable, more resilient, more curious, and more connected. The people I’ve met through this project have changed my life just as much as the places.

Having a time cap on the list seems sensible. How necessary was that for you?
Oh, it’s one of the most important parts of the process! Often I hear people say that they’d love to visit Hawaii someday, but they never actually put a timeline on when they’re going to visit. Without putting a clear timeline in place, it’s easy to put plans off. I put the four year deadline in place because it gives me a sense of urgency. Even with a busy job, I can always ask myself ‘What’s the next small thing I can do today?’

What's the scariest or most thrilling thing you've done so far?
The scariest thing has to be holding a tarantula. I’m a massive arachnophobe, I freeze at the sight of a house spider, so when we were out in The Sonoran Desert I finally conquered my fear and held one. They’re really soft and light! Not what I was expecting, and I’m still scared of spiders, but I guess this whole thing is about gradual change, no?

The most thrilling was the day we climbed Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe, then hightailing it down to Diamond Beach, where I proposed to my girlfriend. She said yes!

Has it been difficult to maintain motivation? What have you done when you feel like packing it in?
Definitely, there are evenings where I just want to lie about and watch telly. The trick is that momentum beats motivation every time. If I’m feeling lazy, I can look at the list and take one small action. At the moment I’m building a compass that always points to the nearest Greggs, learning Italian, losing weight, and working with an illustrator to create a children’s book. They’re all things I can do little and often.

If someone else were to follow in your footsteps, what would be your best piece of advice?
Write it down. Open the notes app in your phone right here, right now, and jot down ten things that you’ve always wanted to do. It’s important to write them down, if they’re all in your head, that’s where they’ll stay.

I built my system around SMART goals – the idea is that everything on the list must be: Specific – know exactly what you want to do. Measurable – know what your win condition is. Achievable – set yourself realistic goals. Relevant – make sure it’s something that you want to do. Timely – set a time constraint.

There’s a lot of mindset stuff here. I’m trying to make the most of the stage of life I’m in, and anybody can build their own version of this. Not every list will look like mine. Your version might focus more on creativity, connection, or things closer to home. It’s your list, not anybody else’s.

Honestly, if this sounds like something you fancy trying, get in touch with me and I’ll do what I can to help you out. I’ve helped a bunch of people start bucket lists, and it’s really exciting to see how people are taking life by the reins and getting out of their shells.

What's your biggest takeaway so far from your adventure?
No one’s coming to save you; nobody is going to swoop in and fix your life for you. That’s your responsibility, and yours alone. It’s a scary idea, but it’s freeing – the moment you stop waiting, you can start building!

Follow Dan’s adventures via his website below.

dan-davison.com