One Year To Live

At the age of 40, a man named Anthony Burgess received devastating news—he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was told he had only one year left to live. Imagine that for a moment: being told your time is nearly up, that your days are numbered, and that you should start preparing for the end.

Burgess was not rich. In fact, he was nearly broke, and he had no savings, assets, or future plans. Worst of all, he had nothing to leave behind for his wife, Lynne. The thought of her being alone and without support pushed him to take action. But what could he possibly do with just one year left?

Although he had never made a living as a writer, Burgess always had a feeling deep down that he could write—that maybe, just maybe, he had a book inside him. With death looming over his shoulder, he finally decided to try. He pulled out an old typewriter, inserted a blank page, and began to write.

He wasn’t sure if anyone would publish his work. He didn’t know if people would even read it. But what he did know was that he had to try—for Lynne, and for himself. He could no longer wait for the “perfect time.” He had no time left to wait.

In his own words, it was early 1960 when he started writing. He believed he had just one spring, one summer, and maybe a fall before the illness would take him. But he didn’t waste a moment. He worked tirelessly, writing story after story. By the end of that year, he had completed five and a half novels. That’s more than many writers produce in a lifetime.

Then, something unexpected happened: he didn’t die. The tumor that doctors were certain would end his life disappeared. The disease went into remission, and eventually, it vanished altogether.

Suddenly, Anthony Burgess had time. He had more days ahead. But instead of going back to his old life, he kept writing. He had discovered something inside himself during that “final” year—a powerful drive, a purpose, a hidden talent waiting to be released.

Over the next few decades, Burgess became a world-famous author, writing over 70 books in his lifetime. His most well-known novel, A Clockwork Orange, became a cultural landmark. But here’s the most remarkable part: none of it might have happened if he hadn’t believed he was going to die.

Think about that.

Without the pressure of a ticking clock, Burgess might never have sat down to write. He might have spent his life with the quiet thought, “Someday, I’ll do it.” Like so many of us, he may have waited for the “right time,” the “perfect moment,” or “when things slow down.” But facing death gave him clarity. It pushed away distractions and doubts and forced him to focus on what truly mattered.

This story isn’t just about Anthony Burgess. It’s about you, and it’s about all of us. Every person carries within them something powerful—an idea, a dream, a talent—that’s often buried under everyday worries and routines. Sometimes we need a shock, a wake-up call, to bring it out. But do we really have to wait until we’re told we’re dying before we start truly living?

Ask yourself these questions:
What would I do if I had only a year left?
What would I stop putting off?
What would suddenly become important?

Would you finally write that book? Start that business? Apologize to someone? Learn something new? Spend more time with your loved ones? Say the things you’ve always meant to say?

Burgess’s story is a reminder that urgency can unlock potential. When the distractions fall away and the clock is ticking, our true desires and abilities rise to the surface. But the truth is, none of us know exactly how much time we have. Life is fragile. Each day is a gift—and it’s up to us to use it wisely.

You don’t need a terminal diagnosis to live with purpose. You just need a shift in mindset. Start acting today like your time is precious—because it is. Don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait for the fear to go away. Don’t wait for tomorrow, because tomorrow isn’t promised.

Burgess thought he had one year to live. That one year changed his life—and the lives of millions who read his books. What could one focused year do for you?