How a List Can Change a Life
At the age of 25, Sebastian Terry was at a drive-through wedding chapel in Las Vegas marrying a woman he’d literally just met. Why? Because the night before his nuptials, he had an existential crisis after receiving a call with the news that one of his closest childhood friends had died at only 24 years old.
Of the many questions he asked himself that night, one stuck:
“If today was my last day, could I look back at everything that had happened up to this point and smile, knowing that I had done everything I could to be the best version of myself?”
The answer was “no,” and what came out of that realization was a list of 100 things he wanted to do in hopes of creating happiness in his life. The first item he checked off the list was marrying a stranger in Las Vegas, and with that accomplishment came the realization that he could create the change he desired through setting and meeting goals.
“If you take away all the materialistic elements of Vegas, a stranger, etc., I just finally gave myself permission to think of something that I felt mattered and I threw myself at it,” Terry told attendees during his professional development session at the HealthTrust University Conference in August.
Success isn’t random
In the 16 years since his marriage began, Terry steadily checked items off the list, including #100: writing a book about it. In addition to becoming an author and international speaker along the way, his experience led him to become a transformation expert. He’s found that people who meet and exceed their potential tend to incorporate four things into their lives: expression, agency, connection and meaning.
“The tool they use to ensure those four ingredients are present in their lives is a list—a collection of goals that reflect all aspects of their lives,” Terry said.
Terry’s list has taken him all over the world, doing even “silly” things like crashing the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as encounters that turned out to be transformational for himself and for others.
Better together
One such transformation for Terry came after shaving the head of a man who became quadriplegic in his 20s.
That man reached out to Terry after learning about him on television. He told Terry he was inspired to begin his own list and went on to ask Terry if he’d help him accomplish the first item on his list: shaving his head.
Since item #26 on Terry’s list was “helping a stranger,” he agreed to the invitation and flew out to meet him. While he was shaving the man’s head, Terry realized he could do more to help this stranger, so he asked if there were other ways he could assist. The man had always wanted to complete a half-marathon and inquired if Terry would push him in his wheelchair for an upcoming race. Terry agreed and later described it as the best thing he’d ever done in his life as it showed him the power of connection.
“Two people decided to identify very clear goals, share them with one another and realize there was opportunity to do something together,” Terry explained.
A few days after the marathon, the man who has since become Terry’s friend, suggested they enter a bike race together, which they did. During the race, they were joined by fellow competitors who encouraged them along the way and helped them get across the finish line.
“There is a ripple effect that we all create by the way that we show up in our lives,” Terry shared. “Imagine if we could integrate our own lives and actions with passion and purpose. Not only would we unlock all those incredible qualities of motivation, resilience, resourcefulness and creativity in ourselves, but we would unlock those same qualities in the people around us too,” he added.
Remember This
Goals drive change: A simple list can transform life direction & purpose
The “Big Four”: Expression, agency, connection & meaning unlock human potential
Ripple effect: Living authentically inspires others & creates shared impact
DON’T WASTE ANOTHER MINUTE! Get started on your 100 Things list today. Find inspiration and tips at sebterry.com
Share Email Communications, Employee Engagement, Management Best Practices, Mental Health, Q4 2025
