Customer Reviews

No Opportunity Wasted : Creating a List for Life

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Have you ever seen someone with a case of the "shoulda couldas" or had a case, yourself? That's where you should have done something you could have done, and now regret never having done so. It's a consequence of wasting an opportunity. Sometimes, age shuts the door of opportunity permanently. It's just this kind of situation that Phil Keoghan will help you prevent.

This book goes beyond just giving you inspirational examples (such as the nun who, in her 70s, competes in triathlon events--and wins). The subtitle of this book is "8 Ways to Create a List for the Life You Want," and the book delivers on that promise.
The first chapter does what first chapters are supposed to do--it explains the premise of the book. But, it starts with a frightening near-death diving experience--the one that launched Keoghan on his opportunity-making, opportunity-taking lifestyle. This chapter then goes on to chronicle Keoghan's own "List for Life" and how it evolved as he matured, in addition to getting the reader hooked on the idea of creating a "List for Life."

Chapters 2 and 3 talk about getting rid of excuses (such as not having time or money) and facing your fear, respectively. This isn't rah-rah stuff, but practical advice. One particular account show this very clearly. Koeghan works with a woman who is scared of heights. She eventually rappels down the highest bridge in the USA--and wants more. Keoghan uses many interesting examples to illustrate his principles in action.

Chapters 4, 5, and 6 deal with getting lost in the moment, testing your limits, and taking a leap of faith (respectively). I group these together, because they address getting out of your comfort zone. Again, Keoghan uses many interesting examples to illustrate that he's not just spouting theory or "new age talk." He's speaking from experience.

Chapter 7 gives perhaps the main reason for doing any of this in the first place--rediscovering your childhood. Keoghan has a way of making, enjoying, and sharing special moments. He also recognizes this ability in others--people like 89-year old skier Banana George.

Chapters 8 and 9 discuss shedding inhibitions and breaking new ground, respectively. Here, Keoghan talks about taking an honest look at self-imposed rules and limitations. Are those really helping you? Is there something better? Dare to explore.

Chapter 10 shows how rewarding it can be to help others realize their dreams, and it gives you practical advice on how to do so. It's rather motivating. Chapter 11 gives example after example of "Dreamers all around us"--folks who have broken through their own constraints and reached for new opportunities. The book ends with Chapter 12, which provides a methodology for getting from point A (where you are now) to point B (where you want to be). I think Keoghan took exceptional pains to make the line between those points short.

So if you want to be able to look back on your life and feel good that you lived it to the fullest, this book is a "must read." It's inspirational, informative, and entertaining. Get one copy for yourself, and a second one for somebody you really care about.

I have read and reviewed countless self-help books during my reviewing career. They all can pretty much be summed up in this; follow my directions and your life will change. Most times, you are not going to follow their directions and the only change in your life has been the thirty somewhat dollars that you lost. And so it is.
However, there are times when the author is so enthusiastic about his concept that it oozes off the pages and you sit up alert thinking, maybe he has something here?
You sense in the words screaming at you from the pages that this author truly has something that he has seen work, believes in, and wants to share it with you. Refreshing!
That is what happens in this book by author Phil Keoghan, host of the Discovery Channel's "NOW."
As with other books in this category, he gives you steps to take to reach the life goal that you have pushed aside for so long. He shares stories of others that didn't think they could, but plunged ahead and found their victory. He doesn't hide the fact that there will be obstacles to face and that perhaps there will be some failures, but his zest for life and his encouraging words make you think, perhaps I can! It's worth a shot at trying. And he also gives you tips to help overcome the many obstacles that would keep you from your victory. Including many of his own victories.That is refreshing in a self-help book.
All of us have a hidden desire, an accomplishment that we long to achieve but perhaps have given up on ever having that goal met. This work will challenge you to rethink that goal, to look at the obstacles that have kept you from it, and perhaps give you enough courage to take the leap. Well worth your read and your consideration.
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review

Even though I already had a list of things I wanted to accomplish, within six pages this book already had me adding more. Not only adding, but mentally trying to find ways to actually getting to them rather than just thinking - 'oh, that would be nice one day'. With inspiring stories and interesting websites, Phil has managed to capture the soul of adventure living.

Phil Keoghan has written an exceptional book. Best known as the host of "The Amazing Race," Phil begins No Opportunity Wasted (N.O.W.) telling about a life changing experience he had at the ripe old age of nineteen. That experience made him realize that life is precious, so live every day like it's your last. Since then, he's lived adventures many people only dream about.

Unlike the countless self-help books promising to improve your life, No Opportunity Wasted doesn't ask you to follow a complicated plan. Phil's message is as clear as it is simple- don't wait to pursue your dreams. Instead, make of list of "NOW" moments you'd like to experience in your lifetime and start making them come true.

Phil urges readers to live adventurously, letting go of the handrails and swerving off the predictable path you've been following. Living adventurously doesn't have to mean extreme adventure sports. Every person has their own list of special moments they'd like to create and dreams they'd like to fulfill. NOW is about moving outside your comfort zone to try something different and expand your horizons.

Filled with short, inspirational stories woven together to illustrate his themes, N.O.W. is easy and enjoyable to read. It's very well written, and his enthusiasm jumps off the page. This book will definitely change your perspective, and it could truly change your life.

-Mike Merrill, Author of Dare to Lead! Uncommon Sense and Unconventional Wisdom from 50 Top CEOs

I always find it insightful to read the reviews online before I buy and I did this before purchasing N.O.W. Clearly this is a book that has had a big impact on readers and that is certainly true for me. This was a quick read for me and I found it really inspiring. I feel the need, however, to address a comment made by George Fisher of Boston MA. Mr Fisher wrote
"the book seems to imply that people's lists should consist entirely of adventure travel."

Yes there are adventures and adventurers in the book but NOW is more about exercising the mind and encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone and try new things. That may mean literally jumping off a bridge tied to a bungy cord for some people, but for others it's more of a mental leap of faith.

A woman by the name of Mitu, mentioned in the book, was also featured on "Oprah" because she wanted to overcome her fear of heights -- a metaphor for the way she lives the rest of her life. After much encouragement she scaled a very high bridge and says about her experience "I see things in a different light since conquering that bridge." The point here is that
she had a fear of failure not so much about overcoming her fear of heights. In effect she was exercising the mind not just her muscles.

"Get Lost" is not literally about getting lost. It's about getting off the beaten track and trying new things. That might mean trying new foods at a wild food festival or going to a nudist resort.

There are many inspirational people featured in the book "No
Opportunity Wasted". They people are not considered adventurers in the traditional sense but they are just as brave to me.

Jesse Billauer was 17 years old and on the cusp of becoming a surfing superstar when he suffered a horrific wipeout that left him paralyzed. But Jesse didnąt give up: At age 26, he's a motivational speaker to youth groups around the country, and he has taught himself to surf again. His dream now is to be the first paraplegic to ride the big waves.

Jeff Risley was an ordinary postal worker and weekend National
Guardsman when the call came to serve his countr and off he went to Iraq, serving in a military unit that saw heavy action. Now that he is back home, Risley shares his dreams of playing in a rock band, and of trying to find inner peace after a long year of war.

Martha Roskam. On a trip to Vietnam, Martha, a Chicago grandmother, was shopping in a street fair when she noticed soldiers' dog tags for sale. She decided to buy up all the tags, so that she could try to return them to the original owners. Thus began a quest that she is still involved in
today tracking down Vietnam vets, or their surviving family members, to return their lost dog tags.

John Beltzer. When John lost his brother to a fatal illness, he decided to write a song in his honor. That led to a new business called "Songs of Love" matching up songwriters with sick children around the country, to create personalized songs for each child.

Barb Hammond. After a painful divorce, Barb, 48, decided to pursue a lifelong dream ­ to learn to ride a motorcycle. She tells the story of saving for a secondhand Suzuki, learning to ride, then heading out on the highway with her new biker crowd.

Dan Klores always wondered what happened to the Brooklyn gang of basketball boys he grew up with. Then one day, after a close brush with his own mortality, Klores decided to pursue a dream: He would track down all his old buddies, 40 years later, and re-unite them for a memorable basketball game in their old Brooklyn schoolyard.

Sue Ellen Cooper. Cooper bought a bright red hat at a thrift shop. Soon she and her friends, all women over 50, began wearing flamboyant hats and clothes around town. And then Cooper started the "Red Hat Society," for women over 50 looking for fun and adventure. Today, her group is a half-million strong.

Dan Noonan, 36, works with HIV patients in the Chicago area. Dan, a hemophiliac, was himself infected with HIV 20 years ago, through a blood transfusion. Now he is pursuing two dreams: to educate the public about the needs of hemophiliacs, and to have one of his plays produced live on a Chicago stage.


Clearly "No Opportunity Wasted" is a book for everyone -- not just adventurers, although wouldn't it be great if we all exercised our adventurous spirit. Don't waste another opportunity. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

Kendall Seyer

Something new in self help. A unique look at how we choose to live our lives and what can be done to make them better by realizing our dreams, no matter what they are. Dream large or dream small, dream climbing Mt. Everest or dream a quiet walk on the beach, each could be a source of happiness, a sense of fulfillment. Help others or help yourself to realize a dream. All suggestions within ghis book and many others and a guide to make them happen. Getting rid of the excuses and taking a positive approach as shown in No Opportunity Wasted leads to a richer, fuller life while getting rid of the negative baggage that holds you back. Once you begin working toward a specific dream, you will realize there are other things you can accomplish as well. Not only does this book show the way to self realization, but the philosophy of you-can-do-it becomes I-can-do-it as Mr. Keoghan coaches from the sidelines. A must read for anyone seeking to build their self confidence. A keeper you will refer to time and again. Start making your lists. I will

I thought the book was great!!! That would be natural since I am mentioned in it. I was the old postman that got to play a pro hockey game in goal. Phil's book did not convince me to fulfill this dream because the TV show happened before the release of the book. My dream happened because I have the same drive and nerve to "go for it' that Phil preaches in his book. For 30 years I always wanted to know what it was like to face a pro shot. When at the age of 49 I heard that Phil was looking for "DREAMERS" I knew that if I past this up I would look back 20 years from now and kick myself in the pants for never even trying. When I first applied my friends and own family just laughted at me for thinking it could happen. By the time it was over, I was proud of not just doing my dream well but also showing all those that did not believe in dreams that "dreams do come true". That is what Phil tries to get across in his book. That you have to put aside your fears and go for your dream. Your fear might not just be the fear of sharks, heights or pucks etc. The biggest fear is facing those along the way that fear for you and want you to play it safe. That also brings on the fear of failing. The book gets you past that fear and forces you to face it YOUR WAY. The book is not brain surgery but neither is living a dream.
Mike -amerks@rochester.rr.com

Interesting book: I didn't know too much about this book, but I was pleasently surprised. Looks like the author has done a lot of traveling and he really knows how to (entertainingly) awaken that zest to go out and live life fully.
After I finished reading I decided to finally sign up for pilot's school and to go by bicycle from San Francisco to L.A. It gave me a good kick in the ass to move instead of procrastinate. Definitely recommend!

The concept of the book is sound: to live a life you'll be happy to look back on, and have fun while you're living it, you need to think in unconventional ways about what your objectives are. And writing these objectives down is helpful for keeping them in your mind during the hectic routine of everyday.

So far, so good. It's good advice and we all should take it.

However, the book seems to imply that people's lists should consist entirely of adventure travel. There ought to be more to one's life than that.

The author suggests Eight Great Themes for your list making; in fact, he calls them THE Eight Great Themes. They are:

Face your fear
Get lost
Test you limits
Take a leap of faith
Rediscover your childhood
Shed your inhibitions/Express yourself
Break new ground
Aim for the heart

Perhaps there are more Great Themes than just these? For example, how about ...

Create something of lasting value
Learn a subject deeply and contribute to expanding its frontiers
Help make other people's lives better

The concept is a good one. But it is not original and the suggestions made in the book about how to live your life more fully may not seem the most edifying to everyone.

The idea of living each day as if it were your last is not a new concept, however what Phil Keoghan and Warren Berger do through a list of stories, ideas and challenges, is push the reader towards making all of the things we've always said that we would get to someday, now become things to do today. I too have had a list of things to accomplish before I die for many years...this book helps to put it all in perspective and also delivers ideas to help you turn those dreams into reality. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure.