Category Archives: Motivation

01
Jan
2012

Dedication is What You Do When Nobody is Watching

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 [...]

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02
Nov
2011

On Van Gogh and Backing Yourself

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

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…

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

If you're not famous are you a failure?
23
Sep
2011

Mountaineering, Amputation, and Changing Nappies with your Teeth

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 [...]

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19
Sep
2011

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

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.

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

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

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

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 [...]

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09
Aug
2011

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain

“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 [...]

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20
Jun
2011

If I were able to live my life anew…

What would you do if you were able to live your life anew?
15
Jun
2011

Almost Fearless

Don't worry about your life. Live your life. But don't be fearless. Be almost fearless.
06
Jun
2011

Fools Rush In

Ignore the wimpish pessimists.
01
Jun
2011

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

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

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 [...]

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21
May
2011

The One Day Bike Tour

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

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

There is no category of: "does risky exploration, never fails."