Have you heard people talking about bucket lists and now you want to know how to create a bucket list?

 

Keep reading as I’m sharing what a bucket list is, how you can create your very own and most importantly, how to ensure you achieve items on your bucket list.

 

What is a Bucket List?

A bucket list is a list of things you would like to do, see or experience before you die. Your bucket list is full of things you dream of doing and the thought of doing them excites you and brings you joy.

 

How do you create a Bucket List?

Creating a bucket list is pretty simple. You can do it with a pen and paper or you can do it on a computer. Whatever you prefer is fine.

 

Step 1: Brainstorm

In the first instance, you are going to brainstorm what to include on your bucket list. At this point, there is no such things as a bad idea. Everything that pops into your mind right down.

Now it might be that you have lots of ideas of things you want to do in your lifetime, but if not here are some questions for you to ask yourself to help you come up with some bucket list ideas:

• If you knew you only had 12 months to live what would you want to do?
• If you have unlimited time and money what would you like to do?
• Where have you always wanted to visit?
• What do you want to see in person?
• What people would you love to meet?
• What experiences do you want to have?

 Next, you could think about ideas based on specific areas of your life such as:

• Travel
• Career/business
• Health and wellness
• Finances

 

And if you still need some more ideas for your brainstorm here are some common items that appear on people’s bucket lists include:

• Running a marathon
• Visiting x of the Wonders of the World
• Learning a language
• Climbing a mountain
• Experiencing sunrise or sunset at a specific place
• Playing an instrument
• Taking up a sport
• Going on a road trip
• Swimming with dolphins
• Getting featured in the media
• Meeting your hero, role model or someone who really inspires you
• Conquering your biggest fear
• Flying first class

 

Step 2: Refine your list

Once you are happy with your brainstorm it is time to relook over your list and ask yourself two important questions

1. Is this something that I really want?

2. Does the thought of doing this excite me? 

The reason you have to ask yourself these questions is because sometimes it is easy to write cliché bucket list items when really they aren’t something you really want.

The point of your bucket list is yes to do amazing once-in-a-lifetimes things, but they should be things you want to do. Life is short and there is no point doing ‘amazing’ things if they aren’t genuinely amazing to you!

If you don’t answer yes to both questions cross that item off your list (unless the reason you aren’t excited is because you are conquering some sort of fear).

Now you have your finalised bucket list.

Writing your bucket list is the easy part. The hard part is actually ensuring that you tick things off your list.

 

 

How do you achieve your Bucket List?

Now you have your list it is time to work out how you are going to achieve these great things. In the first instance look at your bucket list and ask yourself which items could I tick off in the next 12 months? Also, consider are there multiple items that could happen together. For example, if you want to run a marathon is there one happening at a location you want to travel to.

For items you can achieve in the next 12 months you might want to add them to your normal list of goals or you might start booking in classes, flights etc to ensure those bucket list items actually happen. (If you don’t currently have goals you are working towards check out How to Create Goals using the Be, Do, Have Model or How to Create Goals using the SMART Method.)

Unlike your goals, which you should be reviewing regularly, your bucket list doesn’t need to be reviewed all the time. However, you do have to be careful to not write the list and not come back to it for years. Put a reminder in your diary, calendar or phone to look at your list every quarter and think about which things you could achieve next.

 

That’s it! You now know what a bucket list is, how to write one and most importantly how to accomplish the things on your list.

I hope you have found this useful. I would love to know in the comments below one thing that you have on your bucket list.