Change Your Life: The 10 Year Bucket-List

Read time: 6 minutes

Hey, welcome back.

Last week, we talked about the art of not quitting — and how progress is often about shifting from learning to testing, not grinding your way through pain.

​You can read that (and all past issues, here).

By the way, if you're finding these insights helpful, I've started collecting all these tools, resources, and one-sheets in the ever-growing 'Science of Success' vault. Check it out here for additional materials on today's topic and more.

THE 10 YEAR BUCKET LIST

What if the best ROI wasn’t in your portfolio, but in your memories?

This year, I read a book that completely changed how I think about money.

It’s called Die With Zero by Bill Perkins.

Most of the financial world talks about growing wealth. Saving. Compounding. Future-proofing. But what this book challenges is… why?

Why are we stockpiling energy, money, and dreams for “some day” that isn’t even guaranteed?

The punch in the face for me was this: We spend our healthiest years trying to secure a future that may never arrive — and even if it does, will we still have the health, energy, or people around us to enjoy it?

So I started asking new questions:

• What should I do?
• What should I do now?
• What can wait?

And then the big one: If I only had 10 years left to truly live, how would I use them?

RETHINKING THE BUCKET LIST

Let’s be honest — most bucket lists are useless.

They’re long, vague, and impersonal. Written like a fantasy wishlist you’ll revisit when the kids leave home or your startup gets acquired.

But what really matters isn’t a list of far-off dreams. It’s a list that’s hyper-relevant to YOUR life — right now.

• Your age.
• Your energy.
• Your partner (if you have one).
• Your kids (if you’re lucky enough).
• Your parents (and how many active years they might still have).
• Your financial reality.

In early 2025, my wife and I sat down and made our own 10-Year Bucket List. Not a lifetime list. Not a "one day" list. A real one, built around the next decade of our actual lives.

It was revelatory.

For whatever reason, we've always both talked about wanting to do the Trans Siberian Railway - the longest trainline in the world. No, we're not into trains, Russia or desert tundras - but we are both fascinated with the idea. The thing is - a lot of it is sitting in a train, obvs. Doing the 10 year bucket list shows us that we could probably risk waiting a decade or two to prioritise this.

Meanwhile, as an example, I've never done a sky dive, always wanted to, and sadly with a daughter, and another one imminent - my wife is desperate that I dont. So that's one thing that, due to life circumstance changes - I will probably just have to accept I wont do.

Writing down all the things in your head you ever want to do and then putting it through the lens of reality and life - is crazy powerful.

WHY WE WENT TO GREECE — NOW, NOT LATER

Here’s what changed.

My mum is healthy. Now. Who knows next year?

Our family dream she promised us was as soon as Margot is old enough, she'd take us on an amazing safari in Africa together. However, a hip operation and some realities with ageing in the last year has made her realize that this promise, sadly, is one we should let go.

We had a great chat about it, it was sad and emotional but also, sometimes what matters is not what you do but who you do it with. So we started discussing what she'd like to do instead.

My mum grew up poor, spending money has always been hard for her - especially on herself. We would always stay in 2 or 3* hotels even after we could afford more, growing up. So, having the 10 year bucket list conversation with my mum really excited her to splash on a 5* all inclusive resort, and do it with pure excitement - and so we booked Sani - a stunning family resort in Greece.

The best thing? We had a magical time together, everyone got on perfectly all week, and everyone was excited to do it again next year.

Without the 10 year bucket - list, sadly I would probably not have booked a holiday with my mum this year. Because of it - I'm planning to do it every year.

It was beautiful. Not in a cinematic Instagram way. In a soul-nourishing, slow mornings, watching three generations laugh in the same pool kind of way.

Same with Wimbledon. My mum and I always said we’d go. But I always said, “Next year — I’m slammed.” You know how it goes.

Well… this year, we went. Full hospitality. It was one of the best days I’ve had in years. Sun. Strawberries. Shared silence during match point. Fancy lunch with Michel Roux Jr, Pimms on tap, drama.

Memories that will compound emotionally forever.

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STAYING LOCAL, THINKING LONG-TERM

My wife is pregnant (again! 🙌), so this year, I can’t do the wild stuff — no last-minute flights to Burning Man, no Glastonbury (I know you have your tiny violin out for me 🎻)

But that forced me to get creative this year: what are the world-class experiences within a 1-hour radius of our home?

One google result that came up was The Fat Duck. Voted one of the best restaurants in the world. I went with some of my closest mates. It was unreal. Not like I'd ever want to go back (it's weird AF) but its still a bucketlist item that suited me better this year, than other years.

My wife and I also booked more staycations. Country air. No flights. More connection. And as I had Silverstone on my list - I went (and got lucky as Mclaren invited me for hospitality in their box - but you gotta make your own luck, etc).

And for my 40th next year? I’m renting a massive villa in Ibiza for my best mates. Because 40 is a milestone, and milestones deserve meaning - and if I've not rammed this point home enough - the 10 year bucket list forces you also to ask - if not now/then - when?

WHERE IS YOUR MONEY MEANT TO GO?

When we did this bucket list exercise, I saw something clearly for the first time:

There are seasons to spend money that aren't just about "can I afford it?" but "is this the moment?"

Buying back time with your ageing parents? That moment is now.

Travelling with your young kids before they’re too cool to hang with you? That moment is now.

Celebrating friendships, love, and health? Definitely now.

Because waiting for “later” is the most expensive thing you can do.

SO, HERE’S MY CHALLENGE TO YOU:

• Make a 10-Year Bucket List.
• Make it personal — your actual context, not someone else’s fantasy.
• Categorise it: What’s for now, what’s for later, and what’s non-negotiable.
• Then ask yourself: Where should I invest my money and time this year — not in theory, but in real, lived memories?

And if you’re lucky enough to still have your parents, your partner, your health…

Act accordingly.

Life is for living. Don't just spend it working.

Live now. 😘

SOS (Science of Success) Curated:

LinkedIn of the week: One of the most powerful skills you can develop?​

Podcast of the week: This SIMPLE Framework Will Make You a Productivity MACHINE​

My Tweet of the week: Rest doesn’t mean doing nothing.​

Invest in Moments, Not Material

A study from the University of Texas at Austin (McCombs School of Business) looked at 2,635 adults tracking their spending in real time via phone prompts.

When people spent money on experiences—like concerts, travel, meals out—they consistently reported higher moment-to-moment happiness compared to those who splurged on material items, even after adjusting for cost.

The researchers concluded that experiential purchases offer longer-lasting satisfaction because memories and social connections endure far beyond the initial buy-in.

Why This Matters for Your 10-Year Bucket List​
You’re not just planning grand adventures—you’re investing in emotional compounding. These shared moments with loved ones create deeper happiness than gadgets ever could. So as you map out travel, family time, and milestones for the next decade, you’re making a scientifically backed wager on what truly enriches life.

Pro Tip: If you're debating between yet another tech upgrade and that sunset hike with friends—choose the hike. The payoff is measurable (and memorable).

​→​ Link to study​

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I've built 5 startups. 1 win, 1 fail, and 3 still going.

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