Coming up with a bucket list is like creating one massive to-do list for your remaining life span.
Compiling a tangible list of all the must-do activities and must-see sights you hope to enjoy before you die can be a huge step in the direction of making each day of the rest of your life meaningful and fulfilling. Once it's all on paper, you can begin holding yourself accountable for not wasting another second and moving forward in the direction of the life you want to live.
Instructions
1. Set aside all inhibitions and pragmatism before you begin your list -- money and time are no objects, for now.
2. Identify your interests, passions and people that make you happy and write them down. Think back to when you were a child when anything seemed possible. What passions have you suppressed in the name of being realistic and practical? What endeavors do you keep putting off for another day, or another year -- or whenever you finally have a chance to get around to them? What sights do you want to see, and where would you like to travel? What stories do you want to be able to tell when you're old?
3. Make a conversation of it. Encourage your friends and family to make lists of their own and trade notes.
4. Once you have exhausted your pen and with all the possibilities, prioritize. Rank items first in order of their importance to you, then in terms of feasibility. Approach the list in terms of what would be most important, or most possible if you were suddenly issued the unfortunate news that you only had one day, week, month or year to live. This can help guide you to stay on track with accomplishing your most important goals first while still keeping the rest of your list in perspective.
5. Break complex or farfetched endeavors into feasible steps by developing a financial plan to help determine the resources that will be required to fulfill each item on your list. Your savings plan should include deadlines for covering one item at a time.
6. Don't just sit on the list, allowing it to meet the same unfortunate fate of many New Years Resolutions. Bid your comfort zone farewell, and start knocking out some items now.
7. Revisit your list regularly -- at the start of each week, or each month. New life experiences are bound to inspire additional desires for more experiences. Be cognizant of those desires and expand or adjust your list appropriately.
