Ian Asher was born in Darlington, UK. The mature life of the British took place quite far from his home - in the city of Perth, Western Australia. There he lived with his wife Laura, working in a small shop selling carpets. In his incomplete 50 years, Ian was terribly dissatisfied with his own life and dreamed of adventure and travel. Soon, his marriage, which lasted six years, also gave a crack - Laura left her husband, which broke his heart to smithereens. However, it was this last blow that was the reason that motivated him to change his life. And so, in 2008, a desperate man found a rather unusual way out of this situation - he decided to sell his failed life on the eBay online auction.
Ian Asher
The lot that really appeared on the online auction, which was called “ The life of Ian Asher ", included a house in Perth city with all appliances and furniture, a used Mazda car, a jet ski, a motorcycle, skydiving equipment, a workplace in a store and even getting to know all his friends and colleagues. The description of the lot put up for sale ended with a short phrase: “ I've had enough of my life, I don't need it anymore". With him, Ian wished to leave only a wallet, a passport and a few backpacks with personal belongings. He wanted to completely get rid of everything that would remind him of past failures.
The starting price of the lot was $1. A week later, the Briton had 305 thousand dollars from the sale of his life. According to Ian Asher, when the sale took place, he did not immediately understand what to do next, but he always had a dream to travel the world. Then the daredevil made a list of 100 extreme goals that he volunteered to carry out within 100 weeks.
« I always dreamed of adventure, - recalls Ian, - but in reality, I worked drearily in one place without any special events. I decided to do everything I dreamed of»
Shortly after compiling the list, he bought a ticket to Dubai and went to fulfill his first dream - to go skiing under the scorching rays of the sun. For the next two years, he pursued his goals without interruption. One of Ian's most dangerous adventures is running with the bulls at a Spanish festival in Pamplona. According to the Briton, he saw a film dedicated to this bright festival as a child and promised himself to get to it. That is why it became one of the main desires on his list, although participating in this, according to him, was quite scary.
To Dubai
Usher cites his most exciting experience as a dive off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, where he was able to swim up close with the whales. The daredevil swam with white sharks in Africa, walked along the Great Wall of China, learned to fly a plane, skydived at night, enjoyed the beauty of all the largest waterfalls in the world and got himself an octopus as a pet.
Jump from the Artyubi Bridge
Aiguille du Midi
in Italy
In London, another dream came true - he managed to talk with his idol, the famous British entrepreneur Richard Branson . In Hollywood, Ian persuaded the producers to give him a small role in the film. At the same time, he convinced them for a long time that he would be filming completely free of charge and did not even think about an acting career.
Ian and Richard Branson 2009
In Cannes
Two years and $270,000 later, Ian Asher found himself completing 93 of the 100 items on his list. The remaining targets appear in the list with the mark “in progress”. Temporarily unfulfilled dreams include diving into the wreck of the Titanic, jumping a car from a pier into the water, meeting five Yen Ashers, learning to lucid dream, investing $50,000 in cancer research, and being present at the birth of your own child.
In Spain
In London
Asher is confident that all his dreams will come true, it's only a matter of time. Yen bought himself a small island off the coast of Panama and built a house there with his own hands. Life on the island completely satisfies him, after long months spent traveling, he can finally get some rest.
The island and the house of Jena
Ian's beloved woman, Mo (Maureen Boxa), a 38-year-old Canadian who learned about the brave Briton from the news, helped to completely heal the emotional wounds of Ian. In a letter she wrote to him, there was a proposal to add a dog sled competition in Canada to her wish list. Ian accepted her proposal, not even suspecting that this woman would become the love of his life. Most of the time, Mo lives with him on the island, sometimes they travel to Canada, where they recently founded a publishing house that publishes children's books. It is it that should become the main source of income, Usher is not going to return to his usual job. (Nothing lasts forever and since 2013 Ian has been dating Englishwoman Vanessa Anderson)
Yen and Mo
Ian and Vanessa
Many, like Ian, would like to live an interesting life and travel more, but it's all because of the fear of changing something and breaking ingrained habits. For some, only severe stress becomes a catalyst that can take you out of a half-asleep existence and force you to do some kind of non-standard act that radically changes your life, for example, apply for an annual multiple visa and travel around countries for a whole year, relying on luck and poor knowledge of the language. all this time, Ian kept a blog in which he described in detail all his achievements.
Christmas Island
Uluru in Australia
Very soon, he had a huge number of fans who were inspired by his story and changed their lives. One of the items on the wish list was " To write a book ". And indeed, at the end of his long journey, Usher finished his autobiographical book " life is sold ”, which has already become quite popular in the world today.
Such an unusual story could not but affect the interest of Hollywood filmmakers. The film rights to the adventures of Ian Asher were bought by Disney for $356,000. The Briton hopes that in the process of creating the film, he will act not only as a consultant, but also play a small role in it. In the near future, Ian plans only to fish, build a house and enjoy the sunsets on the ocean.
After the events that radically changed his life, he says that he never regretted the decision: “ The last few years have been the most amazing adventure of my life.". The Briton, who risked everything, admits that while he has something to do and he is absolutely happy, but everything can be, perhaps one day he will again have a desire to put his life up for sale. Ian Asher became a very popular personality, inspiring many people to the same heroic deeds. As the Briton who risked everything says, the main thing is to take the first step, it will be much easier further.
In 2013, Yen returned to the auction - and once again, Usher puts his own life as a lot. For some 160,000 pounds sterling - which is about half the cost of far from the most luxurious London house - anyone can go to Usher's personal island and forget about all the hardships of the life of an ordinary office clerk. The restless craving for wandering again calls Asher himself on the road - he has enjoyed the delights of a settled life to his heart's content and is now going to continue exploring the unusual corners of our planet.
in China in December 2014
No one knows how things are today with the owner of the life Ian Asher bought in 2008, but the Briton himself hopes that his “old life” brought more happiness to the one who bought it than to himself.
Ian Asher was almost 50 years old, he worked as a carpet seller in Australia, separated from his wife and became depressed. Ian put his unfortunate life up for an online auction in the full confidence that no one needs it. The lot included a house with furniture, a car, a motorcycle and other things.
Do you want to fulfill your dreams, but do not know where to find the money for them? Ian Asher didn't know either. And then he thought of selling his life - all, entirely. She bored him to death anyway.
And guess what, I sold it!
Like all normal people, Ian Asher dreamed of a happy family and an interesting job. Like many, alas, Asher had neither one nor the other. Ian was almost 50. And he worked as a carpet salesman in a small shop in Australia (carpets did not bother Ian at all).
And when his marriage (which, unlike carpets, he worried about) finally fell apart, Ian plunged into a deep depression. Here in depression, full of hatred for himself and his life, he found the perfect way out. Sell your unfortunate life on an online auction.
The "Life of Ian Asher" lot, which he posted on eBay, included his house with all the furniture and equipment, a car, a motorcycle, a jet ski, skydiving equipment, a workplace and acquaintance with all colleagues and friends. The description of the lot ended with the words: "My life is enough for me, I no longer need it." The starting price was $1. A week later, by the end of the auction, Ian Asher's property was only his passport and the proceeds from the sale of life 305 thousand dollars.
“I always dreamed of adventure,” recalls Ian, “but in reality, it was dreary to work in one place without any special events. I decided to do everything I dreamed of." Ian Asher made a list of 100 goals and gave himself 100 weeks to achieve them. Then he bought a plane ticket and flew to Dubai to reach his first goal - to go skiing under the scorching sun.
For the next two years, Yen traveled non-stop: he ran with the bulls at a festival in Spain, swam with white sharks in Africa, and with whales in Japan. He learned how to fly an airplane, walked along the Great Wall of China and saw with his own eyes all the largest waterfalls in the world. In London, Ian talked with his idol - entrepreneur Richard Branson. And in Hollywood, he starred in a small role in a movie. At the same time, he had to convince the producers for a long time that he was not thinking about an acting career and was ready to act completely free of charge.
Two years and $270,000 later, Ian Asher found that he had completed 93 of the 100 items on his list. On the remaining desires (for example, “learn to understand in a dream that you are sleeping” and “plunge to the bottom of the ocean to look at the Titanic”), Ian decided to spit. Instead, with the last 30 thousand, he bought himself a tiny abandoned island off the coast of Panama, built a house on it with his own hands and settled there. Much of the time he lives with his beloved woman, Moe, whom he met while dog sledding in Canada.
Ian and Mo visit Canada periodically and recently founded a small publishing house there that publishes children's books. It is with the help of him that Ian is going to earn money. “I will never go back to my regular job,” he says. Now, four years after the sale of his former life, 50-year-old Ian is absolutely happy. He has written several books and is now talking to producers about a possible Hollywood adaptation of his story. “I'm incredibly happy about it,” he says.
But you know, it's even more surprising to me that sometimes strangers come up to me and tell me how my story has changed their lives. They have made their own lists of goals and live to achieve them. I think the world would look really cool if.” What happened to the “old life” sold at auction? Asher knows nothing about it at all. But he hopes that his old life pleased the one who bought it.
Ian Asher's Rules for Happiness
Through years of trial and error, he has developed rules that help him stay happy:
- Everyone must find their own way to achieve happiness. Figure out what makes you truly happy and try to do just that.
- The most amazing things happen when you leave your "comfort zone" - when you can't control events, you lose your fear.
- Happiness doesn't come instantly. This is the feeling that gradually fills you when you do what you truly love.
- Even if you turned the wrong way, life itself will lead you to the right path.
- The hardest part is taking the first step. Once we stop thinking about something and just do it, everything becomes much easier.
© From somewhere on the Internet
Ian Asher is from Darlington; however, he lived with his wife far from home - in Perth, Western Australia (Perth, Western Australia). Ian and Laura lived in Australia for 6 years; alas, the marriage turned out to be extremely fragile - Laura left Ian, breaking his heart to smithereens. A failed marriage - and especially the difficulties associated with its dissolution - can literally destroy even the strongest nature. Ian Asher found a rather unusual way to forget about sorrows and find a new meaning in life - Ian ... sold his old life on eBay.
The car, the house, everything went up for auction, giving Asher enough cash. Almost immediately, Ian moved on to the second part of his plan - he went to travel the world and fulfill his desires. For two whole years, Usher diligently "lived to the fullest" - during this time he managed to see the world, learn how to fly a plane, star in a Hollywood film and personally meet Richard Branson (Richard Branson). In the course of his wanderings, Asher even found a new love; the vacant place in his heart was taken by the Canadian Moe. It was with Mo Yen Asher that he finally decided to settle down; for his new home, he also chose a rather unusual site. With the proceeds from the "sale of life" funds, Ian Asher managed to buy himself a real tropical island in the Caribbean Sea (Caribbean sea).
Of course, turning a wild island into a place suitable for life was not easy - Ian Asher personally built a house for himself and hollowed out several canoes. Regret Ash
eru did not have to; exotic fruits, sea food, beloved woman and bright sun - his life turned into a real paradise.
Five years have passed since the conclusion of the fateful deal; now Ian is back up for auction – and once again, Usher is putting up his own life as a lot. For some 160,000 pounds sterling - which is about half the cost of far from the most luxurious London house - anyone can go to Usher's personal island and forget about all the hardships of the life of an ordinary office clerk. The restless craving for wandering again calls Asher himself on the road - he has enjoyed the delights of a settled life to his heart's content and is now going to continue exploring the unusual corners of our planet. Of course, it will not be possible to sell the island right away - not everyone is able to quickly decide to change their life so radically; however, the example of Ian clearly demonstrates that the daredevil will not have to regret his decision.
If you want to fulfill your dream, but you don't have the solutions to do it, follow the example of Ian Asher - sell your life. Is it difficult? Not at all, because there are very convenient services like eBay for this - it was Usher who used it, but more on that later.
Unlike, Asher's story begins with personal discontent - he is tired of his former life, constant lack of money and everyday life. And he decided to get rid of the thing that he basically does not need - from his life. He managed to sell it, and, in its entirety. Ian always dreamed of an interesting job that he would like, as well as a family that loves him. But, unfortunately, he had neither.
A little history about Asher
In his 50s, Ian sold carpets in a small shop and did not have his own business. At the same time, the carpets did not bother him at all. Life was ordinary and uninteresting, plus Asher's marriage fell apart, and this completely unsettled him. It is difficult to imagine a person who is even more unlucky in life. At this moment, the time has come for cardinal decisions, and Ian realized this, and it was then that the turning point came - into the very devastation. He found the perfect outlet and sold his life on the popular eBay online auction site.
Asher posted a lot that included his house, furniture, appliances, motorcycle, car, skydiving equipment, jet ski, as well as work and even meeting friends. At the same time, the description of the lot is exactly the following: "I'm tired of my life, and I no longer need it." The initial cost of the lot was only 1 dollar. This means that anyone, in the absence of competition from other bidders, could buy Yen's life for as little as $1. However, this, fortunately, did not happen.
The auction lasted 7 days, during which time the price of the lot rose to 305 thousand dollars. After the end of the auction, Usher had only his passport, as well as 305 thousand dollars in cash.
New life after the auction
Ian stated that he had always dreamed of traveling, and now he had a real opportunity to fulfill his dream. So he made a list and included 100 goals on it. He gave himself 100 weeks to implement them. Usher then bought a ticket and flew to Dubai to pursue his first dream of skiing under the bright sun. For the next few years, Yen traveled non-stop: he swam with white sharks, ran with bulls at the Indian festival, swam with whales in Japan, and so on. He also managed to fly a plane, visit the Chinese Wall, and also see the largest waterfall in the world. Moreover, Usher starred in Hollywood, but he got a small role.
Within two years, he spent 270 thousand dollars. At the same time, 93 goals out of 100 were achieved. Ian decided to “score” on the remaining desires. There were only little things like “learning lucid dreams”, etc. Instead, he purchased a small island (it cost $30,000) from Panama, built a house on it, and settled in it. There he now lives in a place with his life partner Mo - he met this girl in Canada.
Is Yen happy now? Of course, and he openly declares this. He does not intend to return to his old job at all costs. But what happened to his old life, no one knows. However, this is not interesting. Here is such a (is it possible to say so?) It turned out for a person who is simply tired of living an ordinary life. For many, she has become a role model, as evidenced by the open statements of people - they decided to follow the example of Ian and fulfill all their desires.
Do you want to fulfill your dreams, but do not know where to find the money for them? Ian Asher didn't know either. And then he thought of selling his life - all, entirely. She bored him to death anyway. And guess what, I sold it!
Like all normal people, Ian Asher dreamed of a happy family and an interesting job. Like many, alas, Asher had neither one nor the other.
Ian was almost 50. And he worked as a carpet salesman in a small shop in Australia (carpets did not bother Ian at all). And when his marriage (which, unlike the carpets, he worried about) finally fell apart, Ian plunged into a deep depression. Here in depression, full of hatred for himself and his life, he found the perfect way out. Sell your unfortunate life on an online auction.
The "Life of Ian Asher" lot, which he posted on eBay, included his house with all the furniture and equipment, a car, a motorcycle, a jet ski, skydiving equipment, a workplace and acquaintance with all colleagues and friends. The description of the lot ended with the words: "My life is enough for me, I no longer need it." The starting price was $1.
A week later, by the end of the auction, Ian Asher's property was only his passport and the proceeds from the sale of life 305 thousand dollars.
“I always dreamed of adventure,” recalls Ian, “but in reality, it was dreary to work in one place without any special events. I decided to do everything I dreamed of.”
Ian Asher made a list of 100 goals and gave himself 100 weeks to achieve them. After that, he bought a plane ticket and flew to Dubai to reach his first goal - to go skiing under the scorching sun. For the next two years, Ian traveled non-stop: he ran with the bulls on a holiday in Spain, swam with white sharks in Africa, and in Japan with whales. He learned how to fly an airplane, walked along the Great Wall of China and saw with his own eyes all the largest waterfalls in the world. In London, Ian talked with his idol - entrepreneur Richard Branson. And in Hollywood, he starred in a small role in a movie. At the same time, he had to convince the producers for a long time that he was not thinking about an acting career, and was ready to act completely free of charge.
Two years and $270,000 later, Ian Asher found himself completing 93 of the 100 items on his list. On the remaining desires (for example, "learn to understand in a dream that you are sleeping" and "plunge to the bottom of the ocean to look at the Titanic"), Ian decided to spit. Instead, with the last 30 thousand, he bought himself a tiny abandoned island off the coast of Panama, built a house on it with his own hands and settled there. Much of the time he lives with his beloved woman, Moe, whom he met while dog sledding in Canada. Ian and Mo visit Canada periodically and recently founded a small publishing house there that publishes children's books. It is with the help of him that Ian is going to earn money: "I will never return to my usual job," he says.
Now, four years after the sale of his former life, 50-year-old Ian is absolutely happy. He has written several books and is now talking to producers about a possible Hollywood adaptation of his story. “I’m incredibly happy about that,” he says. “But you know, it’s even more amazing to me that sometimes strangers come up to me and tell me how my story has changed their lives. They made their own lists of goals and live to achieve them. I think the world would look very cool if everyone pursued their goals."
What happened to the "old life" sold at auction? Asher knows nothing about it at all. But he hopes that his old life pleased the one who bought it.
