Category Archives: Motivation

01
Jan
2012

Dedication is What You Do When Nobody is Watching

0 comments
Posted in Atlantic Row, Channel Rowing, Motivation
The last time I put to sea was with an injured soldier. Phil and I rowed together from England to France. Written on the boat were the words “Dedication is What You Do When Nobody is Watching”. It’s a saying that will serve me well crossing the Atlantic. There will be four of us out [...]

Read more
02
Nov
2011

On Van Gogh and Backing Yourself

7 comments
Posted in Motivation
I believe more and more that to work for the sake of the work is the principle of all great artists: not to be discouraged even though almost starving...
10
Oct
2011

Microadventure #8: River Swim

9 comments
Posted in MicroAdventure, Motivation
A poor life this if, full of care, we have no time to swim and stare and be surprised.
06
Oct
2011

Here’s to the crazy ones…

1 comment
Posted in Motivation
DON’T MISS A THING – FREE MONTHLY UPDATE BY EMAIL: Have you read Alastair’s books? Also available for Kindle, iPad and children.
03
Oct
2011

Lessons I Learned from Heavy Metal

10 comments
Posted in Motivation
If you're not famous are you a failure?
23
Sep
2011

Mountaineering, Amputation, and Changing Nappies with your Teeth

4 comments
Posted in Expeditions, Motivation, Pecha Kucha
Jamie Andrew is the Scottish mountaineer who had his hands and feet amputated following a horrific accident in the French Alps. Miraculously, despite his handicap, Jamie has carried on with his mountaineering career and has made some amazing ascents all over the world, raising many thousands of pounds for charity along the way. His motto [...]

Read more
19
Sep
2011

A far more Glorious Feeling than for a God to feel Godlike

2 comments
Posted in Best Bits, Expeditions, Motivation, Travel, Writing
The achievement of a difficult feat is successful adjustment to a sternly exacting environment. The more difficult the feat, the greater the satisfaction at its accomplishment.
07
Sep
2011

Rules to Live by: Be great at what you do. Life is short.

8 comments
Posted in Motivation
Whatever you do, and care about enough to want to do well, this list will help guide you.
31
Aug
2011

If I have the chance to do something now and do not take it, I may always regret it

4 comments
Posted in Motivation
I am often asked in talks whether my decision to ride around the world was a spontaneous one or a life-long dream.
19
Aug
2011

More Musings on the Why of Adventure

4 comments
Posted in Motivation, Pecha Kucha
400 seconds of wisdom (ha) from me at the recent Scottish Night of Adventure.
11
Aug
2011

Do what you love, and do it often

2 comments
Posted in Motivation
This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don’t like something, change it. If you don’t like your job, quit. If you don’t have enough time, stop watching TV. – Holstee DON’T MISS A THING – FREE MONTHLY UPDATE BY EMAIL: Have you read Alastair’s books? Also available for [...]

Read more
09
Aug
2011

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain

0 comments
Posted in Motivation
“Too often we are scared. Scared of what we might not be able to do. Scared of what people might think if we tried. We let our fears stand in the way of our hopes. We say no when we want to say yes. We sit quietly when we want to scream. And we shout [...]

Read more
20
Jun
2011

If I were able to live my life anew…

10 comments
Posted in Best Bits, Motivation, Poetry
What would you do if you were able to live your life anew?
15
Jun
2011

Almost Fearless

7 comments
Posted in Motivation, Ramblings
Don't worry about your life. Live your life. But don't be fearless. Be almost fearless.
06
Jun
2011

Fools Rush In

4 comments
Posted in Books, Motivation
Ignore the wimpish pessimists.
01
Jun
2011

Got the t-shirt? Now go out and do stuff.

9 comments
Posted in Motivation, Ramblings
It is very easy to wear very idealistic T-shirts, to have wonderful statements of intent emblazoned across our hearts. But it is far more difficult to actually live by these mantras, to pursue an uncluttered life focused on the stuff that really counts.
31
May
2011

Rule Number 1: Do What You Love

3 comments
Posted in Motivation, Photography
Do what you love Do it very, very well Do it with energy, passion, imagination… …and if you do all that you might end up getting paid to do what you love. Don’t focus on the pay when you start. Focus on doing what you love, doing it very, very well, and being the best [...]

Read more
21
May
2011

The One Day Bike Tour

13 comments
Posted in Cycling, MicroAdventure, Motivation
Too many people say to me "One day I'd like to do a big journey by bike. But I don't have the time..."
20
May
2011

Packrafting Iceland Pecha Kucha

1 comment
Posted in Best Bits, Charity, Iceland, Motivation, Packraft, slideshows, Speaking, Travel
20 slides and 400 seconds to explain my expedition across Iceland. You don't necessarily need skill, money or talent...
16
May
2011

Exploration and the risk of failure

6 comments
Posted in Expeditions, Motivation
There is no category of: "does risky exploration, never fails."