A bucket list is no longer a list of things to do before you die, it’s a list that will help you create a life worth living for.
Happy, healthy and productive people all have one thing in common – a positive outlook, a Pinterest account and lists. I have become known as a list maker and in particular, a bucket list guru. Since my teens I’ve spent a lot of time, energy and possibly all of my spare cash on living a life full of excitement and fulfilment. I have had the privilege of visiting six of the seven continents, finishing an Ironman triathlon, caught a Piranha in the Amazon, and climbed mountains around the world including the world’s highest, Mount Everest. So, here is a quick list of a few pointers to help you make sure that this year is rewarding and one that really counts.
- Get rid of your New Year’s resolutions.They last about as long as your Christmas bonus did. Instead, pursue selected projects. Whether it’s giving up smoking or saving for a trip to Thailand, you’ll need a plan, milestones and a celebration when it is completed.
- Take a tiME out (intentional spelling)Before you get started, it is important to take some time out and think about your objectives for the year ahead. tiME (me time) is 30 minutes dedicated to you. Mobile phones, laptops, TVs and children all have an off switch, so use them. So many of us don’t know what it is we would like to achieve or what makes us happy because we never stopped long enough to answer the question.
- Use S.M.A.R.T. goals‘Smart’ goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time based. Use these quick criteria to proof your dreams and ideas, ensuring your best chance of success.
- Write your list, nobody else’sYour bucket list is no longer a list of things to do before you die, it’s a list that will help you create a life worth living for. You can put anything on your list, if it is important to you, it’s important. A well-balanced list will contain items that represent every aspect of your life like self-development, your spiritual side, family, friends and not just the adrenaline rushing thrills most of us think of first.
- MIX IT UPYour list should be made up of a variety of goals, activities and experiences. Some long-term goals like that trip to Venice you’ve dreamed of, some short and medium term goals, which can be as simple as opening a savings account or doing a photography course. Some items on your list will be continuous and require on-going motivation like making sure those running shoes don’t gather dust. Review your list often, and if you ever find yourself consider giving up…
- PIN ITI create boards on Pinterest (pinterest.com) with quotes, photographs and inspirational messages that allow me to chop and change things on my bucket list, gather information and keep my goals current. I have a vision board to help me visualise my ‘big picture’ and remind me of all the good things I am striving for and most importantly, why?
- WRITE A ‘CHUCK-IT LIST’This is exactly what it sounds like. Write a list of all of things you need to chuck out this year. Consider it as a spring clean for your whole life. Chuck out all the clutter around the house. Chuck out your ‘thin’ clothes. Shopping for new clothes is a brilliant motivation tool. Chuck out your ‘fat clothes’. Remove that safety net. Then start with the more difficult stuff like chucking out the habit of comparing yourself to other people. Chuck out those five kilograms of ‘baby fat’, your child is grade four. Chuck out the negative things you’ve been telling yourself, all the excuses you’ve fed yourself to justify why you are not living the best life possible.Chuck it all out and make room for something better!
- KEEP IT REALRemember you aren’t the general manager of the Universe. You won’t fix Jo’burg drivers or cure cancer. But you can donate some time, money or energy to help those who are making a difference.
- KEEP IT UNREALRemember the Titanic was built by engineers, but the ark was built by one guy on a mission. Patch Adams only decided to become a doctor in his late thirties so don’t just dare to dream big…#dream humungous
- ENJOY THE RIDEAppreciate the little things, take lots of photos, share this with your friends and never forget to smile fondly at your certificates and your scars. Before you know it, you won’t just be doing something, you’ll be something.
Written by Robby Kojetin.