The Impossible List

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.

– Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

I found out about the impossible list from Thomas Frank. The impossible list is not a bucket list. It is a constantly updating flow of what I strive to accomplish. The impossible list never stays static, if something is accomplished, more tasks are added. It is virtually impossible that I will accomplish everything on this list, hence why it is called the impossible list, but it serves as a constant reminder of what my true life goals really are, and that I am capable of doing far more than I believe.

Current Focuses

• I'm currently focused on lifting and cycling. I want to bike a century by the end of this year and achieve a 1,000 lbs lifting total (squat, bench, deadlift).

Fitness/Health Goals

• Run a 5k (Jul. 10, 2016)
• Run a 10k (Feb. 8, 2017)
• Run a half marathon (Dec. 1, 2019)
• Run a marathon (Feb. 16, 2020)
• Run a marathon in under 4 hours
• Run an ultramarathon
• Bike a metric century (100 km)
• Bike a century (100 miles)
• Complete an Olympic triathlon
• Complete a half Ironman triathlon
• Complete an Ironman triathlon
• Run a sub-6 minute mile
• Join the 1,000 pound club (combined bench, squat, deadlift over 1,000 lbs)
• Squat 405 lbs for 1 rep
• Deadlift 495 lbs for 1 rep
• Bench 275 lbs for 1 rep
• Overhead press 185 lbs for 1 rep
• Do 15 pullups in a single set
• Do a muscle up
• L-sit for 1 minute

Skill Goals

• Become fluent in Chinese
• Attend a 10 day meditation retreat
• Read 100 books (starting from January 2018)
• Write a book
• Create a browser extension
• Create a web application (Nov. 19, 2020)
• Create a mobile app
• Convert this website from WordPress (Feb. 11, 2020)

Fun/Insane Goals

• Read Infinite Jest
• Skydive
• Climb a (big) mountain
• Break a world record
• Be an extra in a movie
• Get something named after me
• Shave my head
• Ride in a hot air balloon
• Witness a solar eclipse

Travel Goals

• Visit all 50 states
• Visit all national parks in America
• Backpack in Grand Teton (Aug. 20, 2021)
• Backpack the Tour Du Mont Blanc Loop
• Backpack in Iceland
• Thru-hike the Appalachian Trail (Sep. 21, 2022)
• Thru-hike Pacific Crest Trail

Life Goals

• Graduate from college (Dec. 18, 2021)
• Be self sufficient and location independent
• Get married??? Have a kid???