It’s been a bit of a whirlwind August and September for me. I recently took a position and went back to work, which has actually caused me to work some very long days and has also taken me out of town. In fact, it’s on the other side of the country, located in Toronto.

Nevertheless, here is my latest update on My 36 for 36.

Interview 36 “successful” people on the subject of “success” – I need your help here! Who do you know personally, that you feel is “successful?” No – I’m not providing you with the definition of “success,” that’s the purpose of the interviews – to see just how many definitions of “success” are out there.

Participate in 36 yoga classes – So far, I’ve participated in 1! I have a big margin to play catch up on for this one.

Start a podcast and produce 36 podcasts – As I’ve mentioned before, I’m combining this one with the interviewing of 36 successful people on the subject of success – 2 birds with one stone.

Take a cooking class – This one should be fun. My 8 year old nephew is going to teach me how to make one of my most favourite things in the whole wide world – salsa! Maybe this is something I can stream live on Periscope? I’ll keep you posted!

Watch everyone else’s favourite movies – I made a big mistake here… I didn’t really give a target total of movies to be watched. I guess I will just continue to watch until I have no more suggestions from you. What is your favourite movie of all time?

Encourage 9 people to create their own list – So far, we have 16 people in our private Facebook Group working through their own lists. Do you want to create your own list and share your accomplishments and excitement with others doing the same? Come hang out with us by clicking here ——> Join the Private Facebook Group

Meet 3 people you could only dream of meeting – This one has been a difficult one for me to figure out who those 3 people would be. But over the last couple of weeks, I’ve figured out who I want at least 1 of those people to be… The City of Edmonton’s only Real Superhero – SpiderMable!

Learn 3 magic tricks – Anyone know magic? Anyone? HELP!!

Buy a stranger’s meal in a restaurant – I was given a great opportunity to make this one happen, on a night I stayed in a hotel in Toronto. Here’s a picture and the story to go along with it: Paying for a Strangers Meal in a Restaurant

Build a snowman taller than me – Judging by the temperature in the mornings, this one may be right around the corner. Anyone want to help?

Get picked up at the airport by somebody with my name on a sign – There wasn’t a sign, but for the first time ever, I walked through the arrival doors and there was someone waiting for me – best feeling ever!

Update on My 36 for 36: Honourable Mentions

Start an Online Business – I’ve written a few posts on “My Why” behind starting an online business (I Don’t Want to Do This Forever, My Ideal Day) and I’ve started building the business. I’m sharing my journey, step by step, in a private Facebook Group. If you’re interested in following along as I share my successes and failures, tips and strategies, click here to join the private Facebook Group.

Ok, that’s it for now. I’m hoping to post more than once a month on my progress with My 36 for 36. Stay tuned!

Summer Solstice Sunset

July has come and gone already and I thought it would be a good idea to take stock on how I’m doing with My 36 for 36 list and I wanted to share my progress with you in this blog post. I’ve only included the items that I have seen progress on so far. If I don’t mention an item, it’s because I have yet to see much, if any progress.

Here we go!

Interview 36 “Successful” People on the subject of “Success” & Start a Podcast and Produce 36 Podcasts

I decided to combine these 2 items that made my list because it just made perfect sense to do so. My friend, Karl MacPhee from Ripple Effect Strength & Conditioning and I will be launching a podcast later this year, which will attempt to define “success” through the personal stories of “successful” people from all walks of life.

So… if you know anyone who you would consider “successful” and you think we should interview them, please let us know!

Stay tuned for details!!

Write 36 Blog Posts – 13

This is blog post #14 here on TheRealScottWeller.com and I’ve also written 16 posts over at MyBoxerDogBuddy.com. That makes 30 within the first 45 days! I think 36 blog posts is very attainable.

Learn How to Practice Reiki to Treat Animals

In July, I spent a weekend taking training to become a certified Level I & Level II Reiki Practitioner. Although I can practice on humans, the intention all along was to be able to practice on animals.

I’ve spent some time practicing on Jax and it does seem to affect his behaviour and energy. I am looking forward to seeing the effect of long term practice on him.

Watch Everyone Else’s Favourite Movies

Without having a job to get in the way, I have been able to watch a ton of Netflix throughout July. I’ll be creating another post which will include the list of everyone else’s movies.

Encourage 9 People to Create Their Own List

Originally, I selected the 9 people just so I had a target to work towards. Myself and few others, started a Facebook Group for people who are making their own list. We called it ___ for ___; Your Best Year Yet.

The purpose of the group is to share ideas, updates and to have accountability partners celebrating all of your wins with you along the way. If you’re interested in creating your own list, and celebrating your Best Year Yet, send us a request to join the group by clicking here!

Develop My Lifetime Bucket List

This one was soooooo easy! Especially with our ___ for ___; Your Best Year Yet Group. Everytime I see someone post an item on their list, that I think is awesome, I add it to my Lifetime Bucket List. The best part about creating your Lifetime Bucket List, is that if you create another ____ for ____ list, you just copy and paste off of your Lifetime Bucket List – The Easy Button!

Watch a Sunrise and a Sunset in the Same Day

I wanted to make this one special so I watched a sunrise and sunset on the longest day of the year. Living in the far North, it’s very different than some of my friends who live in San Diego where the timing of a sunrise and sunset alters only slightly throughout the year.

In the summer, in Edmonton, the sunrise starts before 5:00am and the sunset can be after 11:00pm.

The Summer Solstice was beautiful!

Learn to Play Guitar

I’ve decided to use Rocksmith on Xbox to learn how to play guitar. I’ve only spent about 4 hours total so far so I still have a long way to go.

Let 9 People Know What They Mean to Me

I started this item, almost unintentionally. I received some news that my Aunt had experienced a minor health setback and I had a minor freak out! I texted her right away and asked her “what the hell happened.” After giving me the update and reassuring me that she was ok, in my own way, I told her that she needed to take care of herself because she means too much to me!

After spending the Memorial Day weekend with her and my Uncle, I’ve been very focused on staying connected with family, even when they live thousands of miles away from me.

Love you!!

Join a Mastermind Group

I suppose you could consider our ___ for ___; Your Best Year Yet Group as a Mastermind Group. However, when I decided on this item, the intention was to create a group of 5 – 7 like-minded individuals who were focused on accomplishing similar goals.

As I mentioned in the blog post: My 36 for 36: Honourable Mentions, another goal for me is to start an online business. I see this Mastermind Group as being an integral part of ensuring success with starting the online business.

There you go! That was my 36 for 36 July! What an incredible month! I’m excited to see what August has to offer!

Related articles

• My 36 for 36: The Final List
• What Have I Done Since Quitting My Job?
• My 36 for 36 Brainstorming Complete

My 36 for 36 list is complete but there are a few items that didn’t make the final list (for whatever reason) that I still plan on working towards over the course of the year. Here they are in no particular order:

Start an Online Business

I’ll get deeper into this item in future posts, describing my why behind this item but this year will definitely be the year that I successfully Start an Online Business. I’ll be sharing this journey, every step of the way, for those of you who are interested in starting your own online business.

Write Book #2

I already know what this book will be about. It will be a compilation book of stories about life lessons the people have learned from their dogs. I’ll be looking for people to share their stories so, if you’re interested in contributing to this project, please let me know.

As a side note: I am currently updating my first book that I published last year and plan on re-releasing the updated version of Beyond the Blue Collar later this year.

Ask a Girl Out on a Date

This is purely to keep my brother quiet!

Go to a game to each of NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL:

I’ve already accomplished 50% of this item:

NBA: when I set out on my west coast road trip, my timing couldn’t have been better. I actually drove into San Francisco 90 minutes before tipoff for the Western Conference Finals between The Warriors and The Rockets. You bet I jumped on Stub Hub and found myself in Oracle Arena and watched the Warriors claw their way back from almost 20 down to win Game 1!

MLB: Again, thanks to my west coast road trip, and my trip to Miami, I’ve accomplished this one at 300%. I’ve been to watch a game in Seattle, San Francisco and Miami, all of which were incredible ballparks! My dream is to hop in an RV, and travel from ballpark to ballpark, eventually seeing a game at every ballpark in the league. How sweet would that be?

NFL: Stay tuned

NHL: Stay tuned

Help 3 People Accomplish a Bucket List Item

Do you have a Bucket List item that you need help accomplishing? Let me know how I can help.

After the chaotic year that I experienced working through My 35 for 35, why do 36 for 36 you ask? Let me give you 3 reasons why:

To Give Myself Clear Goals to Work Towards

Initially, I decided that I wasn’t going to make another list this year. I decided that I didn’t want to feel like I was constantly under pressure to be working towards something. Then, something strange happened… I missed not feeling like I was working towards something.

I’m not going to get into the benefits of goal setting because you can find an endless supply of articles online if you’re that interested. What I will say is that once you accomplish something that you set out to accomplish, the feeling you get afterwards can become intoxicating and you gain momentum in numerous aspects of life – even the areas that may seem unrelated.

To Inspire Others to do the Same

After experiencing what I did during My 35 for 35, I knew that one item I wanted to include on My 36 for 36 was to share the idea with others, so that they could experience some of the gifts that I experienced.

I think that one of the greatest feelings I could experience, is if someone sent me a message and said, “Thanks to you I did ________, and it was one of the greatest things I’ve ever done. Thank you!

The Unexpected Gifts that Show Up

The question that I am asked the most, to date, about My 35 for 35 is this:

“What was the best part or best experience of the whole thing?”

The first couple of times I answered this question, I would say:

“There’s so many great ones, it’s too hard to choose just one,” and I would start rambling on about all the different experiences that I had crossed off on the list.

Today, if you ask me the same question, my answer has changed because I am much more clear on what I think the best part of My 35 for 35 was, and what I am sure will be the best part of My 36 for 36.

The best part is the unexpected gifts that show up that you never knew were going to happen when you made the list!

Are you interested in making this year your best year yet? Join me and a few of my friends by creating your ___ for ___ list by going to The Real Scott Weller Facebook Page and simply posting: Scott, let’s make this year the BEST year yet!

A couple weeks ago, I explored items 19 – 27 and I had hoped to go over items 28-36 before now, but then I went to Miami and The Florida Keys. Regardless, here we are. Today, I’m going to finish up with my review of the last 9 items on My 36 for 36. Here we go…

Take Dance Lessons

Here’s a little trivia fact about me; I LOVE TO DANCE!! That being said, I’ve never taken dance lessons except for junior high gym class and I’m not counting that. I haven’t really decided what kind of dance class I’d like to take yet. Anyone interested in coming along?

Learn to Play Guitar

When I was about 10 years old, I was given an acoustic guitar for Christmas. It just sat around my room for the years that followed. I never learned how to play it. I always wished I had taken lessons.

Go Dogsledding

The couple of times that I’ve planned to go dogsledding, something has always come up at the last minute. This year, it’s happening!!

Get a Role as an Extra in a Movie or on TV

When I was young, I loved to perform. I had performed in several leading roles in school plays. Then, in typical teenage form, I quit acting after not getting the leading role in my Grade 7 play. My love for acting has always been there over the years and even though a role as an extra is not necessarily “acting,” I would love to just be involved in a performance again.

Give My Lunch to a Homeless Person 9 Times

This could quickly escalate to a much higher number…

Let 9 People Know What They Mean to Me

There are so many people who have left a huge impact on me and my life, I think it’s time they know…

Enjoy a Full Day at a Spa

Everyone deserves a day of pampering. One problem, besides a massage, I don’t really know what to do at a spa. Any suggestions on what I should do to pamper myself?

Get Picked Up at the Airport by Somebody with My Name on a Sign

Can I get cheesy for a minute? Over the last 5 years, I have take a lot of flights… A LOT!! Every time I arrive back at home, just as I am about to walk through the doors to where you collect your bags, I imagine someone waiting there for me. No one else, just me. I’m still waiting for the first time for this to happen.

Join a Mastermind Group

With everything I’m looking to accomplish this year, a Mastermind Group would be a huge help! Has anyone joined one before? Has anyone started one before?

There we have it! The final items for my 36 for 36 list. Are you making your own list? I’d live to hear about it! Maybe we should create a Mastermind Group to help us all stay on track with our lists?

Stay tuned for updates as I work through all 36 items!

The other day, I got Up, Close and Personal with items 10-18 that made My 36 for 36: The Final List. Today I am going to explore items 19 – 27.

Develop My Lifetime Bucket List

This is the second year that I have put together a list like this and I have a feeling that it may not be my last. So, I thought making a Lifetime Bucket List might be a good idea to collect all of the items that I’d like to experience and store them in one place.

Have you created your Lifetime Bucket List? What’s on it?

Watch a Sunrise and a Sunset in the Same Day

As I write this, it is June 23 and I have to admit that I have already accomplished this item. When I selected this item, I thought to myself, “what better day to watch the sunrise and sunset than the longest day of the year, Summer Solstice… right? This pics are below…

Buy a Stranger’s Meal in a Restaurant

I’ve done this before and love asking to remain anonymous and watch the table look around trying to figure out who was behind it. Looking forward to doing it again!

Stay Silent for 36 Hours Straight

That’s right! Completely silent! I think this is going to be harder than I anticipate.

Maybe I should just go on another road trip… hmmmm

Hold an Animal that Frightens Me

This shouldn’t be difficult to find an animal. Secretly, I am creeped out by a bunch of different animals, especially insects. I can’t stand that feeling of something crawling on you… yuck! Gives me the creeps just thinking about it.

What animal or animals frighten you?

Build a Snowman Taller than Me

Before anyone else says it – “building a snowman taller than me shouldn’t be too difficult. Maybe I should stop by the local elementary school and ask some kids in Grade 4 to help me out!” It’s funny because I’m short!

Run a Half Marathon

I’ve run a bunch of Tough Mudders, Spartan Races, Mud Hero’s and a number of other races… so why does Run a Half Marathon make my list? Well, truth is that I hate running! I find it excruciatingly boring. That’s why I run obstacle races because the obstacles break up the running. To run a half marathon will mean that I will have to challenge myself mentally to push through the boredom.

I’ve already signed up for the Avengers Half Marathon in Disneyland in November. Anyone want to join me? It’s almost sold out so you better act soon!

Make a Difference in Someone Else’s Life

At this point, I don’t really know what this one looks like; it’s more of a feeling I’m looking to accomplish. I’m just going to trust that I will know when it happens.

Learn to Swim

This was on the list last year too but I don’t feel like I got to a point where I feel it was adequately accomplished. Better get a new speedo and get to work!

Tomorrow, I will finish up with items 28-36.

Summer Solstice Sunset

Summer Solstice Sunrise

Yesterday, I started diving a little deeper with items 1-9 that made My 36 for 36: The Final List. Today I am going to get up, close and personal with items 10 – 18.

Watch everyone else’s favourite movies

Lat year, when I created My 35 for 35, I committed to watching 50 of the top 100 movies of all time. How I created that list was by combining the IMDB list of the best movies of all time and some feedback from my friends on Facebook. This year, I thought it would be more fun to watch everyone else’s favourite movies. I asked my Facebook friends to tell me what their favourite movie was and, WOW! What a response. I had over 100 movies on the list in less than a day.

I’ll post the final list in a follow up post in the coming days.

Take a bar-tending course

With the exception of a few of the simple drinks that everyone knows how to make (rum & coke) I really have no clue how to mix any drinks. This idea really is just about learning something new rather than being able to make myself or others drinks. There are a few bar tending schools around Edmonton that I’ll look into to learn.

Drive a fancy car

What would you consider a fancy car? My first car was a Hyundai Accent so my definition of fancy may be slightly different than yours!

Encourage 9 people to create their own list

While completing My 35 for 35 list, so many unexpected, incredible experiences occurred throughout the experience. This year I’d like to encourage 9 other people to have a similar experience by creating their own list.

Are you interested in creating your own list? Let me know if you want to join the party!

Meet 3 people you could only dream of meeting

At this point, I’m not sure who those 3 people are. I’m not sure if I should decide who those people should be or if I should just let it happen with no expectations and then at the end of the year, look back and be amazed.

Who would your 3 people be?

Ride a train

My Dad has always wanted to take a ride on a train that leaves from Stettler, Alberta and goes on a 5 hour trip. During this trip, they stage a train robbery. It’s basically dinner-theatre on a train. I think I’ll take the old guy to check it out.

Plant 9 trees

Anyone need a hand planting a tree?

Learn 3 magic tricks

I’ve always wanted to learn how to do a couple magic tricks. In fact, this was on My 35 for 35 as well but I was unable to get around to doing it. I’m also having a hard time finding someone to teach me. Do you know any magicians who are willing to share their secrets?

Take a photography class

I really enjoyed taking at least one picture a day, which I committed to do last year. This year, I want to understand better how to continue to take each picture.

Tomorrow we will explore items 19-27

Over the next few days, I’ll be getting a little deeper with each of the 36 items that made My 36 for 36: The Final List. Let’s get started with items 1 – 9.

1. Interview 36 “Successful” People on the Subject of “Success”

Over the last couple of years, I’ve asked a bunch of variations of the same question – “who is the most successful person you know?” The interesting thing that I found is that very few people could answer the question without asking a question of their own. Without fail, that question would be, “well, how do you define success?”

That’s where the idea for Interview 36 “successful” people on the subject of “success” came from. I will interview 36 people who are considered “successful” in a variety of different ways and attempt to understand what the common threads are between the various definitions of success.

Do you know someone personally who you think I should include in these interviews? If you could ask a “successful” person 3 questions, what would they be?

2. Participate in 36 Yoga Classes

I don’t think I need to share the benefits of yoga with you; they’ve been well documented and discussed over the years. This item is not just about vitality for me. This is also about conquering a fear for me. I’ve always been intimidated by yoga, thinking that I’m not good enough to be in the same room as regular participants. One of my favourite quotes is applicable here – “If it scares you, you need to just go ahead and do it.”

3. Start a Podcast and Produce 36 Podcasts

I’ve heard a few different podcasters say that they started their podcasts to simply improve their public speaking ability. It is for this reason I was originally drawn to the idea of starting a podcast. Beyond that, it is a perfect medium to distribute item #1 on My 36 for 36 – Interview 36 “successful” people on the subject of “success.”

What do you think is a good name for such a podcast?

4. Write 36 Blog Posts

Write 36 blog posts made it purely as a way to push me to get back writing again. I hit a wall over the last 10 months and want to get back at it. With the way that My 36 for 36 has started out, I don’t think I’ll have a hard time at all making 36 blog posts.

5. Take a Cooking Class

I’m a terrible cook! Time to change that… and maybe it will even help me get a date one of these days!

6. Finish One Piece of Art

Believe it or not, Art was my favourite subject while I was in elementary school, so I know I have some artistic ability hidden somewhere inside. Anyone want to check out a Paint Nite in YEG with me sometime?

7. Whitewater Rafting

I’ve never been whitewater rafting and it looks like a crazy rush – hence it’s inclusion on the list!

8. Go Zip-lining

I have been zip-lining and it is a crazy rush – hence it’s inclusion on the list!

9. Learn How to Practice Reiki to Treat Animals

I have spent time working with dogs and their behaviour, more as a hobby and I heard about someone practicing reiki on animals and that it was making a big difference in their behaviour.

Tomorrow I’ll dive deeper into items 10-18.

First of all, I’d like to thank all of you who helped me by offering suggestions on which items should make the final list. Your feedback helped guide me to the final selection. Here it is:

My 36 for 36: The Final List

Interview 36 “successful” people on the subject of “success”

Participate in 36 yoga classes

Yoga

Start a podcast and produce 36 podcasts

Write 36 blog posts

Take a cooking class

Finish one piece of art

White water rafting

Whitewater Rafting

Go zip-lining

Learn how to practice reiki to treat animals

Watch everyone else’s favorite movies

Take a bartending course

Drive a fancy car

Encourage 9 people to create their own list

Meet 3 people you could only dream of meeting

Ride a train

Plant 9 trees

Planting a tree

Learn 3 magic tricks

Take a photography class

Develop my lifetime bucket list

Watch a sunrise and a sunset in the same day

Buy a stranger’s meal in a restaurant

Stay silent for 36 hours straight

Hold an animal that frightens me

Build a snowman taller than me

Run a half marathon

Make a difference in someone else’s life

Learn to swim

Take dance lessons

Learn to play guitar

Go dogsledding

Dogsledding

Get a role as an extra in a movie or on TV

Give my lunch to a homeless person 9 times

Let 9 people know what they mean to me

Enjoy a full day at a spa

Get picked up at the airport by somebody with my name on a sign

Join a Mastermind Group

Now the real fun begins! Be sure to follow along while I share my adventures as I work through each of the items above by “Liking” my Facebook Page by going here: The Real Scott Weller Facebook Page.

Want to join me, or do you want to help me with any of these experiences? Go to this link and send me a message: Send Scott a Message

I was able to take the list of 99 items (which actually grew to 100 because of a great suggestion made late yesterday) and narrow it to 26 items on the YES list. This is the list of 26 things that I selected to already make the cut for My 36 for 36.

Number 36

Now I need your help! Help me select the final 10 items to complete my 36 for 36 list. Check out the Undecided List and let me know what you think I need to include. First, here is the YES List:

The YES List

1. Interview 36 “successful” people in Edmonton on the subject of “success”
2. Participate in 36 yoga classes
3. Start a podcast
4. Write 36 blog posts
5. Take a cooking class
6. Finish one piece of art
7. White water rafting
8. Go ziplining
9. Learn how to practice reiki to treat animals.
10. Watch everyone else’s favorite movies
11. Take a bartending course
12. Drive a fancy car
13. Encourage 9 people to create their own list
14. Meet someone you could only dream of meeting
15. Ride a train
16. Plant a tree
17. Learn a magic trick
18. Take a photography class
19. Develop my lifetime bucket list
20. Watch a sunrise and a sunset in the same day
21. Buy a stranger’s meal in a restaurant
22. Stay silent for 36 hours straight
23. Hold an animal that frightens me
24. Build a snowman taller than me
25. Run a half marathon
26. Make a difference in someone else’s life

Undecided List

1. Help 3 people earn the Spartan Race Trifecta on the way to my second Spartan Race Trifecta.
2. Learn the history and visit the historical sites of my home town
3. Learn to swim
4. Unplug for an entire week
5. Become a certified fitness coach
6. Take dance lessons
7. Start an online business
8. Write book #2
9. Public speaking
10. Establish 36 new professional relationships and develop them into friendships
11. Improve meditation ability
12. Learn to play the guitar
13. Read ___ new books
14. Go bobsledding
15. Go snowboarding in the mountains
16. Host a Christmas Party
17. Help 3 people accomplish a bucket list item
18. Go Dogsledding
19. Get a role as an extra in a movie or TV
20. Perform 36 random acts of kindness
21. Go on a road trip to __________.
22. Volunteer
23. Donate hair to cancer
24. Sweat alongside my friend at BAM
25. Learn a new skill
26. Climb a mountain
27. Bury a time capsule
28. Interview the family to develop a library of family stories
29. Have a Ferris Beuller’s Day off
30. Give blood
31. Take a limo instead of a car
32. Watch all the James Bond movies
33. Go to floatique
34. Give homeless person my lunch at least once a month
35. Go puddle jumping
36. Get my fortune read
37. Learn a language
38. Let someone know what they mean to me
39. Give someone a heartfelt surprise
40. Become a mentor
41. Fly in a hot air balloon
42. Learn a martial art
43. Fly a kite
44. Learn to juggle
45. Enjoy a full day at the spa
46. Climb a tree
47. Finally finish watching Lost
48. Learn how to make an origami crane
49. Add pictures to each item on the list
50. Explore the Grand Canyon
51. Attend a TED talk
52. Ask a girl out on a date
53. Build and sleep in a living room blanket fort
54. See Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil
55. Go to a game of each NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB
56. Show up at the airport and take a random flight
57. Pull an all-nighter (up for 24 hours)
58. Collect autographs from all of my favorite people
59. Take a fan boat tour through the Florida Everglades and not get murdered
60. Attend a buddhist retreat
61. Spend a night in a haunted house
62. Learn how to kip-up from my back
63. Attend a NFL tailgate party
64. Go scuba diving
65. Get a legitimate 6-pack
66. Shoot a gun
67. Get pampered in a day spa… a manly day spa
68. Explore a corn maze
69. Volunteer for disaster relief
70. Go ice skating
71. Eat only bacon for an entire day
72. Be super cheesy on Valentine’s Day
73. Get picked up at the airport by somebody with my name on a sign
74. Join a Mastermind Group

What should I fill into the last 10 spots on my 36 for 36 list?