How to Make and Manage a Bucket List

The New Year is Not so New Anymore

January is a time for introspection and reflection on our lives.  We seek to start the New Year with a fresh perspective and ask ourselves some difficult questions:  What will happen when we die?  How do our lives affect others?  Will we leave the world any different from the way we found it? With January over and the new year wearing on, it is time to answer these serious questions with action.  The way to do that is to make a bucket list.

Start Your Bucket List

What is a bucket list?  It is a list of things to do before you die, or “kick the bucket”.  The list will contain items like, “write a book” or “climb Mount Everest”.

Why Have a Bucket List

Most people have a bucket list stewing in the back of their minds, but never seriously consider their dreams as potential realities.  Writing a bucket list will help you take up the challenge of converting your daydreams into accomplishable goals.  

Having goals in life is important.  Your goals can help you get through an otherwise dreary day by giving you something bright to focus on.  You will remember that you stay at that less-than-satisfying job so you can make money for your trip to Paris.  Goals also help you to focus on who you are and what it is that you want in life.  Viewing your life as a whole, not just a series of events, will create a path for you to follow towards a happier and more satisfying life. 

How to Begin

To start your list, begin by writing down those ideas that have been stewing in your mind.  This may take a few days, since many of the ideas pop up at odd times.  Keep a small notebook and pen on for a few days.
 
At first, it is important to write down all of your ideas, not just the attainable ones.  The idea is not to focus on what you can’t have, but what you can achieve. Do not forget to think about what you can achieve that will help others.  The most satisfying goals are those that influence many lives, not just your own.  Once you have a list, brainstorm for other things you might like to do in your life.

Try to be specific when storming for ideas.  If you write “be a better friend” or “be more outgoing”, it will be hard to decide when you have succeeded in your goal.  Since you can always do a little better at something, you will never cross the item off your list.  You are probably already a very good friend.  Maybe a better goal is to recognize yourself as a good friend.

Get Organized

The next step in creating a bucket list is to organize the list by the attainability.  If you are not an astronaut and you have written “go to the moon” as a goal, it may be a good time to take that one off the list.  Replace it with something more doable like “experience weightlessness”.  A goal like “perfect my carrot cake recipe” should be near the top of the list since it is low-cost and easily attainable.  Bucket lists should be flexible so feel free to add, delete or change items at any time.

Here is an example bucket list, organized by attainability:

Make a bucket list
Perfect my carrot cake recipe
Give blood
Volunteer at a shelter
Start a blog
Learn to belly dance
Get promoted at work
Run a marathon
Break a world record
Experience zero gravity
Try scuba diving
Swim with dolphins
Write a book
Own my own business

If you are having trouble coming up with ideas for your bucket list, try these websites to look at to get ideas from other people:

www.your100things.com
www.43things.com
www.Superviva.com
www.Reaperlist.com

How to succeed in follow through

Once you are satisfied with your list, make a date with yourself to carry out one of your goals.  Set a deadline in case you need to reschedule.  When your carrot cake recipe is the best it can be, cross that item off your list.  Accomplishing a small goal, soon after you create your list, will give you the confidence to try the next thing.

Scheduling your bucket items can been done in several ways.  You may want to schedule a few hours each weekend or month.  You can also create a summer bucket lists that helps you take advantage of the warm weather to achieve your adventurous outdoor goals.

Get Help

One option that will help you achieve your more adventurous life goals is to try an adventure coach.  Adventure coaches are professional consultants who work with you to schedule, budget, and plan your dreams.  Having a coach alongside you will help you get the most out of your adventure and increase your chances at success.

Volunteer

The economy being what it is, most of us will choose small goals this year.  There are more people in need of help this year than usual.  Why not focus on volunteerism this to bring more meaning into your life and the lives of others?  Whatever you choose to do, the bucket list will help you live a more satisfying, enriched life.