Moments from a life less ordinary

It’s a simple question: what have you done that few other people have?

That was the first sentence in a blog I read last week by one of my favourite American bloggers, an original thinker and non-conformist called Chris Guillebeau.

It’s a great hook, so I read on. He noted that, in answer to the question, you might start to list your accomplishments or achievements – but they belong on a different list.

Some of the items on your list might also be accomplishments – but most of those will be things that other people have done as well. On the other hand, you might list things you’ve done that aren’t exactly accomplishments, but few other people will have had the same experience.

My mind started scrolling back to see what I might include – and I realised I had a long list. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had some extraordinary experiences during my privileged career as a journalist – but other experiences that made the list did not take place during that time.

Before I share my list, I’ll address the obvious question: why? Chris makes the point that when most people think about life goals, they picture things that lots of other people have done or acquired before them. But the experiences that few others have had are more interesting.

Yes, those things might be harder to visualise or even imagine if you’re setting goals or intentions – but this exercise can certainly show you how interesting the movie of your life has been, especially if you’re the kind of person who thinks they’re ordinary and haven’t had anything extraordinary happen to them.

My take is that, apart from the fun of coming up with such a list, it makes a great source of ideas for blogs or social media posts. And I should add that what makes it on to the list might not necessarily be a positive experience – the negative or diffcult ones might make it too.

I stopped at 15 on my list, then selected a top 10. There’s quite a story behind each one of them:

1. At the age of 12, I was crowned May Queen and photographed for the local paper while opening a fete.
   
   
2. I sang backing vocals with a moderately successful pub-rock band and as a result met one of my childhood idols (Davy Jones of The Monkees).
   
   
3. I performed on stage at the opening night of Richard Branson’s music venue (The Venue).
   
   
4. I sat on legendary DJ John Peel’s lap while dressed as a sexy schoolgirl.
   
   
5. I went on a weird ‘double date’ with Marc Almond and Morrissey (and my best friend).
   
   
6. I stood on the corner of a street in New York waiting for Debbie Harry in the rain (she was late).
   
   
7. I was interviewed by Ben Elton for a Channel 4 documentary that ended up being banned.
   
   
8. I was namechecked in two pop stars’ autobiographies (written by Marc Almond and Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp).
   
   
9. I was the anonymous co-writer of a sexy potboiler called Confessions of a Lap Dancer.
   
   
10. I flew first class to Thailand with celebrity chef Raymond Blanc and witnessed him loudly critiquing the airline food.

I might tell some of these stories in future blogs – if you’re intrigued by any of them in particular then let me know!

So, what’s on your list? What have you done that is unusual? Which experiences have you had that few others have shared?

By going through this process, you may discover that you have lived a far less ordinary life than you often believe.