The original Bucket List was a 2007 movie, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. The movie involved two terminally ill men escaping from the cancer ward and heading off on a road-trip with a list of things they wanted to do before they “kicked the bucket.” Today, people inspired by the movie have begun creating their own bucket lists featuring many of the goals and dreams they want to fulfill in their own lifetimes. This article will address the advantages of creating your own bucket list, as well as a few ideas to get you started.
Setting Goals
It has been said that there are only two things in life you cannot escape: death and taxes. While there isn’t much you can do about the tax issue, you can prepare for your inevitable demise by living your life to the fullest. Some people find that setting goals of things they hope to accomplish maintains their focus on making the most of their lives and eking all the enjoyment possible out of them. This is where a bucket list comes into play. Instead of simply saying, “I would like to see all 50 states before I die,” the bucket list gives you a chance to turn those dreams into concrete goals that are there for the taking.
On a whole different level, a bucket list provides the opportunity for true self exploration, by forcing you to examine who you are, what your values are and what you really want to achieve in life. You can create this list alone if you like the idea of an hour or two of purely self-introspection. If you prefer, enlist the assistance of your mate, so you can work together as a team to help one another achieve all of their lifelong dreams and goals. Your bucket list can be fun, funny or as serious as you like – as long as every entry on the list is all about you!
Before the Bucket
If you are really serious about creating a bucket list you can use, the first step is to put all of your other affairs in order. After all, you can’t truly enjoy climbing a 14er or parasailing if your family won’t be cared for after you are gone! Before creating your bucket list, knock off this short, but very important, to-do roster:
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Compile your bank account information, including account numbers, financial statements and passwords into a single file so your family will be able to access all the information they need at once
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Create a will, file it with your attorney and give a copy to your closest relative – include other information you want your family to know, such as burial instructions or charitable donations you want made
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Make copies of your insurance policy to distribute to your spouse and children
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Make sure your trusts are up to date and that your spouse and beneficiaries have copies
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Give spare keys for your home, business and automobile to a family member or close friend
Whew! Once you’ve got your basic affairs in order, it’s time to hit that bucket list with gusto!
Creating Your List
When you create your bucket list, give yourself sufficient time to craft a complete list of your goals. Keep in mind that goals can change, so your bucket list might become a perpetual work in progress. Grab a paper or pencil, or your laptop, and get ready to create!
Some of the questions you might want to ask yourself as you create your bucket list include:
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Where would you like to visit?
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Where would you like to live?
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Who do you want to meet?
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What career goals do you have?
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What would you like to learn?
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What do you want to be sure to finish?
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What are your dreams for your family?
Remember, a bucket list can be as big and grand as you want it to be. These are goals to strive for over a lifetime, so if you want to ride a camel, take a boat around the world or swim with dolphins, it’s fair game.
Once you have recorded all the dreams you can think of, categorize them by headings like “Travel,” “Activities,” and “Learning.” Keep your list in a convenient location, so you can refer to it often.
As you accomplish goals on your list, cross them off, but feel free to add new goals in their place as you think of them. A bucket list is a wonderful way to set goals and dare to dream so that you can make your life all that you want it to be.
