What’s the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about bucket lists? If you’re anything like me, you will probably think about a film or book in which the main character hastily begins to write down their bucket list after being diagnosed with a terminal illness. It’s as though fun and exciting things are only reserved for those who know that their time is limited. I always found this strange - we all know we are going to die at some point, so why not have a bucket list that accompanies and guides our living?!
I drafted my first bucket list when I was about 16 years old. From what I recall, it was mostly centred around finding my own independence, seeing the world and hoping I would become a person I could be proud of. As time went by, some items got ticked off and others were added. There have been moments where I have wondered – do I dare to actually write this down? And if the thought was equally as scary as it was exciting, it usually got written down. I feel this helped me aim higher, push myself out of my comfort zone and, at the same time, allow me to stay grounded and focus on the amount of hard work that goes into achieving success – whatever success looks like at that given period in my life.
So – how do you go about creating a bucket list?
Creating a bucket list involves being in touch with your inner self, identifying and listing down the experiences, achievements, or goals you want to accomplish in your lifetime. Below is my step-by-step guide to help you craft your own bucket list.
Step 1 - Reflect on Your Values and Interests
Find a quiet space and your favourite medium to reflect on – I personally still favour a notebook and pencil, but opening a blank document on your tablet works equally well.
Consider what is truly important to you. Think about your passions, interests, and the things that bring you joy. Typically, these are not material things but experiences that enrich who you are. Let’s be clear - there is no judgement if one wishes to buy a Chanel handbag from the Champs-Élysées in Paris, but it’s about the experience more than the value of the actual purchase.
Step 2 - Specify Categories
Our lives are complex and your bucket list may include interests and dreams from different areas – so categorise them accordingly. Over time I seem to have zoned in on the below five key categories – but you may have more, less, or different ones altogether.
Experiences with loved ones
Travel destinations (or experiences abroad)
Career aspirations
Personal and professional development
Other personal projects for fulfilment
Step 3 - Dream Big and Push that Comfort Zone
A good question to ask yourself is – “If I had a magic wand – What would I like to be doing/ experiencing? Who with? What would my life look like? It’s okay if your bucket list is a bit whimsical, and you can have both small and large goals – some of which are easier to achieve than others.
When writing down your dreams, don’t censor your feelings or deem them as something impossible – a bucket list could serve as your compass on where you would like your life to go and this might mean pushing yourself to experience things that might be out of your reach for now. For example, when I was still a teenager, I used to dream of living abroad – I didn’t know how or under which circumstances but I knew I wanted to experience life in a busy city. At least 10 years passed until I actually went to study in London and turned this bucket list item into reality.
Step 4 – The Joy is in the Detail!
Remember to be specific. Specificity gives colour to your bucket list and speaks of the experience you wish to feel as opposed to simply outlining a goal or destination. For example, I had always dreamt of going to Japan. However, what I specified in my bucket list was - “Eat sushi at a traditional sushi bar in Japan” and “Walk through the quieter streets of Kyoto, find remote temples and sit under a tree in a Japanese garden.”
Step 5 - Prioritise
Look at your goals and identify the ones that would really matter to your sense of fulfilment in the immediate future. Potentially also check whether any of them are time-sensitive – for example, certain travel destinations might be easier to do before children come along. Or, if you wish to experience something with a loved one who is unwell or in old age, these items on the bucket list deserve to be prioritised over others.
Step 6 - Review, Update & Celebrate Achievements
A bucket list is a ‘live document’ – as life moves on and you get to know yourself better or experience new things and meet new people, the list of what you wish to do or experience changes too. Circumstances might also change the priority of some items so it’s important to review and update it. Personally, I check in with my bucket list every year, typically in the last two weeks of the year. I also give it an overhaul every five years where I sit down to evaluate if I am still on a path that resonates with my fulfilment and where I am still aligned with my personal values.
When I review my bucket list, I connect with how much I have experienced and grown in that year. It’s a moment for me to connect and feel gratitude for the energy I have been given to achieve what I did and for the people that crossed my path. It’s not about ticking off items from a list, but about really connecting with the purpose you feel you are fulfilling and being conscious that you are living with intention. Things will undoubtedly crop up which are unexpected or hinder you from achieving certain dreams, and certain goals will go on a shelf for longer than planned, but rather than feeling like a victim of what life throws at you, you still have that compass of where you would actually like your life to go.
Remember, a bucket list is a personal and evolving document. It's a tool to help you live a fulfilling life by setting and achieving meaningful goals. Keep it flexible, enjoy the process, and embrace the opportunities that come your way!
For further guidance in setting goals and discovering your personal values, get in touch with us at info@thechangeagent.eu.
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