Skip to main content

Impossible List

Popularized by motivational blogger Joel Runyon, an "impossible list" is a dynamic and ambitious list of goals and aspirations aiming to stretch the boundary of what one individual considers "possible" to achieve. While similar to a bucket list, an impossible list differs in its scope and ever-changing nature, focusing on personal growth, pushing one's perceived limits, and fighting back against imposter syndrome.

It's worth noting that some of the goals listed below are unrelated to my current endeavors. That's just due to the path independent nature of life - while what I've done in the past and a myriad of socioeconomic factors undoubtedly influence the opportunities available to me today and the decisions I make tomorrow, they don't necessarily determine what I choose to pursue in the future. Thus, the goals I set for myself in the past may not always align with the things I aspire to achieve today.

If you're looking to create your own impossible list, one thing to be weary of is "identity inertia" - the tendency for changeable identities you've assumed in the past (e.g. academic, artist, traveler, activist, non-technical person, etc) to dictate what you aspire to do in the future. I try to keep this in mind when selecting my own pursuits. Because of the hierarchical structure of this list, it's very easy to end up pursuing the "next highest goal" simply because you can, never stopping to consider whether it's really worth pursuing in the first place. This is both a strength and a weakness of this approach.

Last 5 Completed Goals​

  • Acquire a full-time engineering position ✅ 2020-01-20
  • Bicycle tour across America ✅ 2019-08-20
  • Visit Glacier National Park ✅ 2019-08-01
  • Graduate college ✅ 2019-05-16
  • Come out of college with zero debt ✅ 2019-05-16

Fitness/Health Goals​

Professional/Educational Goals​

  • Receive an undergraduate degree ✅ 2019-05-16
    • Land a summer internship ✅ 2017-01- (Ridgewood Water – January 9th, 2017)
    • Achieve a minor computer science ✅ 2019-05-16
    • Graduate with a concentration in honors ✅ 2019-05-16
    • Hold an E-board position in a club that I care about ✅ 2016-01-07 (Senator for the United States States Green Building Council – Rowan University Chapter)
      • Be on the IEEE E-board ✅ 2016-12-09 (Elected Public Relations Chair)
    • Found the Rowan Cycling Club ✅ 2018-01-01
    • Become a Resident Assistant ✅ 2016-03-02
      • Become an Assistant Resident Director ✅ 2018-03-16
    • Maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 ✅ 2019-05-16 (GPA: 3.89)
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Land a full-time engineering position after college ✅ 2020-01-02

Financial Goals​

  • Come out of college with zero debt ✅ 2019-05-16
  • Go into college with at least $15,000 in the bank ✅ 2015-02-01
  • Remain (mostly) car-free
  • Be financially independent
  • Be location independent

Habit Goals​

  • Read for at least 10 minutes for 100 days in a row ✅ 2015-07-05
    • Do it for 365 days in a row
  • Take a cold shower 100 days in a row ✅ 2015-12-14
    • Do it for 365 days in a row ✅ 2018-01-25
  • Complete the bodyweight recommended routine 3 times/week for 100 days
  • Meditate for 5 minutes 100 days in a row
  • Read a new Wikipedia page 100 days in a row

Creative Goals​

  • Publish a poster on RedBubble (July 2015)

    • Publish two more posters on RedBubble ✅ 2016-08-12
      • Make at least ten sales on RedBubble ✅ 2018-09-18 - Only took 2 years, but hey, I made 24 bucks!

  • Capture and edit a video about an awesome experience ✅ 2016-04-24 (Rowan Ruf Riders - B Team Sectionals 2016 - YouTube)

  • Learn how to play the violin

  • Learn how to play the harmonica

  • Start a band and play a live show

Skill Goals​

  • Programming
    • Learn the basics of various programming languages
      • C++ ✅ 2016-03-01
      • Python ✅ 2016-06-01
      • Java ✅ 2017-03-01
  • Learn the basics of Adobe Illustrator ✅ 2016-10-01
  • Learn to breakdance
  • Learn how to knit ✅ 2016-09-13
    • Knit a scarf ✅ 2016-12-25
  • Learn how to rock climb/belay ✅ 2017-11-26 (Rowan Rock Climbing Club)

Events to Attend​

  • Canada

    • The Winter Carnival – Quebec City

  • United States

    • Iowa
      • RAGBRAI – Bicycle tour across the state of Iowa
    • Louisiana
      • Mardi Gras
    • New York
      • ComicCon – New York City
      • World Maker Faire (September 23rd, 2017) – New York City
    • Nevada
      • Burning Man

  • The northern lights

  • Bands/artists to see live

    • Melt ✅ 2021-11-19 @ Underground Arts
    • Lawrence
    • Jacob Collier ✅ 2022-05-01 @ Franklin Music Hall
    • Tank and the Bangas ✅ 2022-03-20 @ Union Transfer
    • Caravan Palace
    • Snarky Puppy ✅ 2023-04-14 @ Union Transfer
    • BADBADNOTGOOD
    • Lianne La Havas
    • KNOWER

Adventure Goals​

  • Bike Touring
  • Stargaze in one of the darkest places in the US ✅ 2017-06-28 (Cherry Springs State Park)
  • Go skydiving ✅ 2016-12-04 (Skydive Crosskeys - http://i.imgur.com/ZY0eVD4.jpg)
  • Go downhill mountain biking
  • Go hang gliding (e.g. obtain Novice certification)
  • Go backcountry snowboarding (with proper gear)
  • Go cliff diving
  • Go slacklining
  • Go paintballing ✅ 2016-04-09 (Accurate Paintball)
  • Learn how to parasail
  • Learn how to surf
  • Go backpacking
    • The Horse-Shoe Trail
    • Backpack across Europe (Use Eurail Pass)
    • Hike the Appalachian Trail
    • Hike the Pacific Northwestern Trail
  • Climb a mountain with a peak that is at least 3,000ft higher than the base

Travel Goals​

Life Goals​

  • Watch all commencement speeches on The Best Commencement Speeches, Ever : NPR
  • Move out of New Jersey
  • Install solar panels in my residence
  • Ride a bullet train
  • Live a zero waste lifestyle
  • Be location independent
  • Read/listen to X number of books
    • 50
    • 100
    • 200
    • 300
    • 500
    • 800
    • 1000
Last updated on by Quinn McHugh