18Jul 2018 by Dave Macleod No Comments
[#95 Lesson] Always Assess the Information Source

[#95 Lesson] Always Assess the Information Source

BUCKET LIST, LESSON, TRAVEL
This life lesson relates to my previous blog #95 Swim with Dolphins. Before booking our trip to Cuba, my dad did his homework. There are thousands of resort destinations scattered throughout the Caribbean but the main countries most people consider are Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica. We had been to Mexico and Jamaica as a family before and my parents had also been to Dominican Republic. However, none of us had been to Cuba so it seemed like it would be an interesting adventure. Leading up to the trip I told many people about our plans because I was very excited to go to Cuba. However, the responses I received were very mixed. Some people mentioned that they had been to Cuba before and it was great but others…
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23May 2018 by Dave Macleod No Comments
[#50 Lesson] Don’t Show All Your Cards When Bargaining

[#50 Lesson] Don’t Show All Your Cards When Bargaining

BUCKET LIST, LESSON
This life lesson relates to my previous blog post #50 Take a Punch by a UFC Fighter. Looking back on how I accomplished this goal, it is clear that easing into it was the best way to approach it. I wanted TJ to do something out of the ordinary for me and sending an email from someone he had never met, requesting to be punched in the face would have most likely gone unanswered. The initial email was used to get my foot in the door and helped to arrange a time and date for the real conversation to take place. During the days leading up to 23rd July I found myself trying to figure out how to actually bring up the topic. Although I had the meeting arranged, I…
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11Apr 2018 by Dave Macleod No Comments
[#74 Lesson] Professionals Make It Look Easy, Be Prepared to be Humble

[#74 Lesson] Professionals Make It Look Easy, Be Prepared to be Humble

BUCKET LIST, LESSON
This life lesson relates to my previous blog post #74 Fly in a Wind Tunnel. The title says it all and I’m sure this is a lesson everyone is aware of. It is one of those cliché saying that we have all heard since we were kids. It bears some similarities to my previous blog post [#97 Lesson] It is easy to Underestimate New Challenges. Keep both of these lessons in mind when starting any new endeavour. Whether it is a guitarist, a freestyle motocross rider, or an Olympic gymnast, when we watch these professionals perform their art, they make it look easy. A lot of times, witnessing a professional do an activity is what inspires us to try it for ourselves. Unfortunately, the realisation of how hard the activity…
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14Mar 2018 by Dave Macleod No Comments
[#81 Lesson] Let Curiosity Get the Better of You

[#81 Lesson] Let Curiosity Get the Better of You

BUCKET LIST, LESSON
This life lesson relates to my previous blog post #81 Eat a Raw Egg. “Some people say the only way to rid yourself of temptation is to yield to it” (After the Sunset). These were the words spoken by Pierce Brosnan’s character in After the Sunset. I have always enjoyed this quote because it is the way I like to live my life. In fact, I have repeated this quote to many people over the years when it is relevant to the situation and it is usually met with a pondering gaze. Whenever my mind grabs hold of an idea I begin to think it through. I think of the pros and con and start to visualise scenarios and how things may pan out. If the pros outweigh the cons…
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31Jan 2018 by Dave Macleod No Comments
[#97 Lesson] It is Easy to Underestimate New Challenges

[#97 Lesson] It is Easy to Underestimate New Challenges

BUCKET LIST, LESSON
This life lesson relates to my previous blog post #97 Become a Vegetarian for a Week. My mindset before starting this challenge was naïve and I underestimated how hard the first few days would be. I did not know what I was getting myself into. Let me illustrate how I was approaching each situation. Challenge: Be vegetarian for a week Mindset: I can do without meat for one week Challenge: Be vegan for a week Mindset: This will be tough but it is only one week Challenge: Go to the supermarket Mindset: This may take a few extra minutes, compared to usual I was way off with the third situation. A normal 10 minute shopping experience turned into two hours of reading labels. I think we are all guilty of…
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14Dec 2017 by Dave Macleod No Comments
[#9 Lesson] It Feels Good to Help Others

[#9 Lesson] It Feels Good to Help Others

BUCKET LIST, LESSON
This life lesson relates to my previous blog post #9 Give Blood. Whenever I am able to help someone, it makes me feel good. I enjoy learning, whether it be university studies, reading books or life lessons. As I learn more, it increases my capacity to help more. Everyone experiences different struggles at different points in their life. If I have already experienced a struggle that someone else is going through it means I am able to help them. Even if I have not, I can still try to help them through offering other advice. In the case of donating blood, I didn’t actually feel like I had done much but at the same time I felt like I helped someone. Or at least my efforts may help someone in…
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22Nov 2017 by Dave Macleod No Comments
[#86 Lesson] Just Start!

[#86 Lesson] Just Start!

BUCKET LIST, LESSON
This life lesson relates to my previous blog post #86 Go for a Polar Bear Swim. “A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.” - Greg S. Reid I was only introduced to this quote in 2016, long after I actually started my list. I was talking about my bucket list with my friend, Jesse, when he recited this to me. This quote embodies what a bucket list is. Write it down, plan it out and go do it. These are the three easy steps to completing anything in your life. What does this really tell us though? It tells us that you just have to start! The start…
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