How to Build Your Own "Bucket List"

The 2007 movie, "The Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman is the story of two terminally ill men from different walks of life who decide to carry out the goals and dreams on their "Bucket List," - a list of "things to do before I die" - while they still had time.

Do you have a "Bucket List?" of your wildest and craziest hopes and dreams? Do you know how to go about creating one?

It's really quite simple. Follow these tips and get a start on your own "Bucket List." Remember, you have to have a list before you can achieve the goals you would put on it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper
• Pen
• Open Mind
• Wild Imagination

1. Start by brainstorming. List every idea you can think of, no matter how crazy and off the wall it may seem. No limits at this stage of the game. This is not the point in the process where being practical is a virtue. Want to skydive - like Nicholson and Freeman in the movie? Add it to the list. Always wanted to visit Buenos Aires? It goes on the list.

2. Write it down! This is important. You have to see the goals in front of you. You need visual proof to yourself in order to adequately prepare to achieve them.

3. Pick the top 5 or 10 choices and make this your "A" list. These are the pursuits you really want to accomplish before you die. Relegate other goals to the "B" list, items that would be nice to do "if the opportunity ever presents itself."

4. Take each goal on the list, break it down into a series of doable steps that will lead to completion of the goal. For example, that trip to Buenos Aires - start a separate savings account to finance your dream vacation; study travel guides to decide where you want to go; work up travel itineraries to get an idea of cost (try online trip planners like Expedia, Orbitz, or Travelocity); convince your spouse or best friend to travel with you; set the date; buy the airline tickets; book the hotel - Go!

5. While waiting to turn that dream into reality, immerse yourself in the concept of your dream. Before traveling to Buenos Aires, read a book, watch a movie, dine at authentic restaurants. If you've always wanted to play in a rock band - read about your favorite group, take music lessons, audition locally . . . you get the idea.

6. Once you have the list, it is time to put it into action. If you know what you want to do, where you want to go, and what you want to experience, take the first step. Take it now. Today. Don't put it off. Life is short and it's later than you think - just ask the characters portrayed by Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in the "Bucket List."

Tips & Warnings

• This is a fun exercise. Treat it as such. Open up your mind to every possibility you can think of. If something seems impossible, put that item on the top of the list. The higher you rate it, the more effort you are likely to put into realizing the dream.
• Opening yourself up to all of your potential could be a shock to your system. Start your list with high hopes and great expectations. You are only limited by the limits you place on yourself.

[Marilynda]

on 3/18/2009 i saw this movie and thought about making my own bucket list and then forgot about it. Seems like something I need to do. Life is too short. Good article

[0sara0]

on 1/16/2009 I don't have a bucket list but it sounds like I need to see the movie & get to work.