I have HOPES for 10 years from now, but they’re not really within my control – so not suitable for this challenge – eg would love it if my sons (currently 17 & 19) were happily settled with loving partners by 2020 (a grandchild in or around 2020 would also be lovely but don’t want to get carried away!)

My favourite line from John Lennon’s song ‘Beautiful Boy’ (written for his then baby son Sean) has a sad tinge given his untimely death, but it is ‘Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans’
(not sure if this line originated with JL or if he got it from an earlier source)
This line reminds me not to get too hung up on my own agenda. Instead I’m keen to stay flexible, to remain open to opportunities as they arise – to be willing to try new things, take risks etc.For example, I changed my career last January (hadn’t expected that to happen!) – love what I do now.

So, although I don’t want to have a list of things to try to tick off by 2020, I do want to be a bit more proactive AND to take a positive approach to whatever crops up unexpectedly.

Like another earlier poster, I am growing aware of the limited time left to enjoy time with my lovely parents (currently approaching 80) – so I’ll definitely add that to my own personal challenge.

And one other tiny little concrete challenge – to start gong to live entertainment again: theatre, stand-up comedy etc. (to quantify this with an achievable target, let’s make it ‘once a month’) That one will be easier to monitor.

By March 3rd 2020, when I will be 38 years, 4 months, 1 week and 3 days old, the following will be the case:

1) I will not only have written and published at least one novel, but will be someone who can truthfully and unpretentiously describe themselves as “a writer”. This will have come about by taking risks, and giving up on a life with a secure and stable income in order to do what I really want to do – and that I actually think I’m good at. Painfully, this may mean giving up the flat which I have bought with this income, but sacrifices must be made.

2) I will have travelled around Latin America and understand the continent extensively.

3) I will be fluent in Spanish and be bringing up a young child bilingual.

4) I will have run several of the world’s major marathons and at least one triathlon.

5) I will have done a Masters degree and at least begun a PhD.

6) I will know how to properly play either the guitar, piano, saxophone or harp.

7) I will have taken part in numerous amateur concert or amdram performances which allow me to sing sing sing.

God, I like the sound of that person.

Progress has begun on numbers 1-4. Will me good to have to keep giving updates. And of course, there is also the politics on the side of all of that – where I want to take that, if anywhere, remains undecided, as always.

Thanks Mark.

By March 4th 2010, I want to have visited every continent at least once. That’s my big, money-spending, slow-burner.

On a smaller level, I’m going to try to pay a meaningful compliment to somebody every single day. I think it’d be nice to spread a little love and happiness!

Laura x

I quite like CarlitoBurrito’s suggestion of our own Teddy Bear’s Picnic (if I can work up the confidence to be around so many strangers).