A list. Salvation lies within.

You don’t thrown down a goal like acquiring a secret agent’s skills after 40 without due consideration. Fortunately, like any aspiring agent, I have a secret weapon. I love lists.

Now, if you’re anything like me, you might think, “hey, I love lists too.” And you’d be wrong. You probably like lists. I love them – it’s an important distinction. I make lists at work, I make them at home. I have lists for different categories of travel. I wrote my wedding vows in list form. I’ve even been known to write down items after completing them – only to immediately cross them off. It’s the list crossing that is key; it creates a virtuous cycle. The more I list, the more I complete. The greater the velocity, the greater the gratification. At this point you might be thinking that I have a potentially unhealthy relationship with lists. And you’d be right.

So, what’s the secret agent list? It’s a fluid list of competencies, activities, travel destinations, and milestones. As an aspiring writer the list also does double-duty in providing a steady supply of material. Right now the list breaks down into five important categories including: transportation, cultural & social intelligence, combat, exotic locales, and  “don’t tell mom.” And while not a category in its own right – we have mash-ups.

A word on each…. Continue Reading