Step 1. Name your bucket list
Because of the bucket list’s meaning and definition, some people have strong emotions regarding the term, largely because it is a reminder of their own mortality. But making a bucket list is really about living life to the fullest, with all the hours you have left on earth. That being said, you don’t have to feel obligated to call your list a “bucket list,” you can call it anything that gets you feeling the warm fuzzies inside. Here are just a few ideas:
Life ListDream ListLife Wishes ListMy Life GoalsThings I Must Accomplish In My LifeThe Missions Of My LifeMeaningful Life GoalsThings To ConquerAmazing Experiences To Be HadThe Life PlanThe Must Dos Of My Life
Step 2. Find a place to save your bucket list
One of the most important steps in creating a bucket list is recording it somewhere. Sounds easy right? But still, most people miss this crucial step. Journaling your list represents a sincere commitment that turns them into tangible goals—achievable aspirations to work toward, rather than wishful thinking.
Studies have shown that people are 33 percent more successful in achieving their goals when they write them down, share them with the world, and are held accountable with weekly updates.
I started out using a small, green notebook with “Bucket List” written on the front, and then switched to a basic Microsoft Word document. After that, it was turned into an Excel file with multiple tabs. Now my list of 1,000+ goals is all online on my blog, which was the easiest for me. Not only is it conveniently accessible, it also holds me accountable by being visible to the universe. There are also many phone apps and online bucket list websites where you can record and share your list. Here are a few apps and communities:
Bucketlist.net
Another community that shows you how to create your bucket list where the ideas seem endless. What I like about this app is the “Swap” tab where you can ask others for help to achieve a goal.iWish app
The iWish app helps you discover your dreams with over twelve hundred bucket list ideas, then assists you in making them happen. You can create reminders, prioritize goals, and even create your own vision board.
3. Choose the length of your list
The length you create your list is ultimately up to you too; There’s no magic number of goals that should be on it – you can’t limit something you want to achieve your dreams. With that in mind, I recommend having at least 25 objectives of varying difficulty to start with. They can be as small as hiking a new trail at a local park or as big as running a marathon — some are ticked off in a weekend while others can be lifelong journeys.
Including short-term goals that are easy to achieve gives you a sense of accomplishment and helps motivate you towards the goals that can take years to complete. By continually working toward (and checking off) your goals, you turn that feeling of accomplishment into a good habit.
If your list gets too long (like mine with 1,000+ goals!), you can use deadlines to break it up into smaller, bite-sized chunks.
Remember that if you put a deadline on your entire bucket list, it’s not really a bucket list by definition, since your lifetime is the deadline.
With this in mind, setting deadlines for a select group of goals can help escape the “sometime” syndrome, a common excuse for not starting today because you will achieve it one day. The goals you are currently working on should have a different deadline than “in your life” as this will create a sense of urgency to push you forward.
Challenge yourself, but also be realistic about your deadlines.
If you’ve just accepted a challenging new job that requires six months of training, then your dream of going to a month-long silent retreat in Bali may need to last longer than a year. Calculate what is practicable: if you commit yourself to half a year of training for your position, then allow yourself three months after the training period for the complete transition to the new position. Then estimate how long it will take you to reach the goal from that point and that should be your deadline, keeping in mind that you can take small steps along the way.
I recommend creating mini-lists within your main list, for example:
Seasonal Bucket List – Some things can only be done during certain times of the year such as: B. Visiting the tulip fields in Holland or dog sledding in Greenland. Create a winter, spring, fall, or summer bucket list each year. Bucket list for this year – Instead of making a New Year’s resolution, on the first of the year, break down your list into items you want to get done in the next 12 months. 30 Before 30, 40 Before 40, or 50 Before 50 – Choose from goals that you want to achieve before you reach a certain age.
