3rd July, 2007

RUSSELL STUBBINGS

No Opportunity Wasted. Eight Steps to Getting the Most Out of Life.
Phil Keoghan with Warren Berger.
Transworld Publishers, a division of Random House, NSW, Australia, 2004

ISBN: 1 86325 536 2

I have recently finished reading a book written by New Zealand adventurer Phil Keoghan, possibly better known as the presenter of The Amazing Race television series than as a writer. The title of the book hints, in a less than subtle way, at its intention: NOW - No Opportunity Wasted.

In summary, the book is an exhortation, an encouragement to live life to the full, to make the most out of the allotted time one has been given. In itself a noble intention, and surely a message that can be accepted by all who delve into the words of wisdom contained therein. Yes, I am being tongue in cheek, because while the book does contain many inspiring suggestions and illustration, there are also some serious shortcomings. But more about that later.

The seed for the book, and indeed Keoghan’s life as an adventurer cum thrill seeker cum extreme sport junkie, can be traced back to a near death experience he had as a 19-year-old while diving on a sunken wreck for a New Zealand TV show. This experience prompted him to write a list of things he wanted to do before he died; a list he continually updates as items are crossed off. In essence the book encourages readers to develop a similar list, to deliberately identify and detail goals, dreams and significant life experiences that must be realised before life ends (in the earthly sense anyway).

To help achieve this purpose the book focuses on eight themes. 'Face Your Fear' explores the limitations our fears can place on us and encourages us to tackle our fears head on. To do exactly those things which we are most afraid of - for example, to overcome our fear of heights (yes, as ashamed as I am to admit it, especially after reading this book, anything higher than a short step ladder tends to reduce this writer to a state of jelly legs), we must bungee jump from the highest bungee platform into the deepest, most dangerous ravine we can find. Well, I may have exaggerated slightly there, but the point remains. Overcome fear by doing the thing you are afraid of.

'Get Lost' sounds somewhat offensive, but simply describes the need we all have from time-to-time to disappear. To drop off the map and recharge our batteries through some intense private time, away from phones, televisions, computers, email, and regular routines. This is a sentiment many can identify with in the often chaotic speed of our day-to-day lives.

'Test Your Limits' is an invitation to go beyond where you have been before. An opportunity to push yourself into attempting something you may always have wanted to do but thought too difficult. 'Take a Leap of Faith' revolves around stepping out into something on the edge. Keoghan focuses this chapter around bungee jumping. He does appear to have some sort of obsession with this extreme “sport”, but for those of us not so inclined, it may simply mean starting a business, exploring a significant life change, taking an extended vacation. Just doing something that breaks us from the often draining routines of life.

Other themes relate to living like a child; exploring and experiencing life through a childlike innocence and perspective, simply stopping and taking things in as a child does. Keoghan also suggests that his readers take the effort to shed their inhibitions. He did this via a nudist camp. This would appear to be a rather narrow approach, but the essence may be to live without worrying what others think, exploring our creative, expressive sides which can sometimes become lost. 'Break New Ground' overlaps with some of the other themes and involves doing something new, something which may be completely new in the sense that it has never been done before, or simply new to you.

Following these rather self-indulgent, me-focused themes comes 'Aim for the Heart' which could be the best of Keoghan’s suggestions. This one is really focused on others, making a real difference in the lives of other people. It provides a balance to the other individualistic themes, bringing home an awareness that our lives can be meaningful as we help others live meaningful lives.

Reading this book certainly inspired me. I feel motivated to take hold of life and not allow myself to be bogged down by routines, looking for NOW moments within my everyday existence. It is very easy to become so accustomed to routine and comfort that we never move outside what we know. Probably as a direct result of reading this book, I took my family for a tenting weekend in southern coastal location.

For those of you interested in geography, we visited Anglesea, a coastal town in southern Victoria, Australia. Nothing too unusual in that, you are thinking. True, but add in the fact that it is mid-winter and we slept in tents in a caravan park, sipping hot chocolates with marshmallows, and the experience becomes much more of a NOW moment. It may not be bungee jumping but staying at home in front of the cosy, warm fire would have been the usual, safe, comfortable option. At least now our family remembers the time we were crazy enough to camp out in the middle of winter.

Keoghan does tend to identify NOW moments in terms of adventure and extreme activities which I believe is limiting. Not all of us are inclined towards launching ourselves off cliff faces, or bungee jumping into icy waters, or leaping fearlessly from aircraft. Some of us may lack the finances for such a lifestyle, or even the physical well-being to tackle such extreme experiences. However, we can all find NOW moments in the midst of our lives in numerous ways, whether it be camping out in the middle of winter, stopping to kick the football with your boys, taking your wife on a memorable date, witnessing the birth of your child, taking your grandkids fishing, or even becoming more spontaneous and fun loving.

The message of the book is worthy, even though many of the examples may be extreme. Make the most of life, live fully, and don’t let opportunities pass you by. Possibly the best advice is to live your life in a way that blesses others. Whilst it took Keoghan until the end of his book to get to this it is the essential ingredient to living a satisfying, fulfilling life.

So, read the book. Be encouraged. Take action and look for the NOW opportunities you have every day.

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