What it's all about

At the beginning of 1999, an investigative research project set out to gather the first-hand life experience of hundreds of highly accomplished individuals, among whom were leading entrepreneurs, writers, teachers, film-makers, athletes and soldiers. The project also visited world-famous companies, art colleges, dance academies, schools and universities.

younglives.com wants to offer individual young men and women a tool-kit of good ideas with which to make the most of life. Rather than everyone having to re-invent the wheel for themselves, this research hopes to pass around a little of what seems to work. Younglives.com is inspired by the spirit of Sir Isaac Newton, who said: "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."

What we offer here is a 'map of life,' showing some possible routes and some destinations that come highly recommended. Some of these thoughts will just be a reminder of stuff you already know but occasionally forget to apply. Some will be a whole new way of looking at things. The report isn't meant as a set of rules to follow as if 'one size fits all,' it simply offers you a bird's-eye view that might help you decide where you want to head and how.

We wanted to know how to achieve satisfying goals in everyday life, while also enjoying the journey.

We asked people how they had accomplished their own successes:

• what attitudes they'd taken to life
• what strategies and skills had proven usefull
• what experiences enriched them

And we asked what they had most enjoyed in life, and what they most regretted:

• what they wish they'd known earlier
• what they wish they'd done
• what had brought their greatest pleasures and worst pains

Essentially, we asked what they'd say to a young man or woman who is trying to make the most of life.

The report is not a comprehensive list of everything everyone told us, but it's the points that many of them seem to agree upon.