Creating a bucket list is the first step to accomplishing your dreams and using up those vacation days. If you don’t like the idea of a bucket list because you associate it with dying, being old, or even setting unrealistic goals, you can call it whatever you like but call it something and write it down. You’ll be amazed at how much you can achieve if you dream about the possibilities and set measurable goals. I create a list every year and it’s been a highly successful way to achieve more than I ever imagined possible. The more unrealistic we are with our dreams and goals, the more we are able to achieve. When creating your list, however, it’s important to keep these simple suggestions in mind.
1. Don’t set too many unachievable goals that you quit before you really get started. If all of your goals are difficult to accomplish, your list isn’t going to be very effective. Make some items easy and less time/cost consuming. As you start checking things of your list, you will be surprised how much momentum you can gain, making it easier to accomplish some of the ones that require more effort.
2. Don’t do it because you have to; do it because it motivates you to dream and envision the best life possible for you and your family. Creating a list isn’t a contest, unless you want it to be. Don’t make it hard work. Have fun. The whole idea of this is to start making steps to do the things you want to do with your life. So don’t stress about it.
3. Don’t miss out on spontaneity because you have a list item to tick off. You can always go back to it if something better comes up.
4. Don’t write your list all at once. This isn’t an easy list to write. You may get to 20 or 30 things, and start drawing a blank. Don’t get discouraged, just take some time off before you come back to it. This is an evolving process. Many people will never have a completed list because it will constantly be evolving. Whenever you think of something, write it down and add it.
5. Don’t focus on only one area of your life. Usually when people start their lists, the vast majority of the first things they write down are things related to travel. Obviously, I’m no exception to this rule. There’s nothing wrong with that, but try and expand into other aspects of your life. Hobbies, finances, mental health, fitness, relationships, and activities are all great things to consider when building a list, regardless if it’s a list for a year or a lifetime. Similarly, if you have a purpose for the locations you want to travel, you can make your trip that much more fulfilling.
6. Don’t limit yourself to your own imagination. Read other people’s lists. You may not want to accomplish the same items as others, but they will provide motivation and insight into possible items.
7. Don’t get in a “someday” mindset. Include something you can do today or this week. Each day has 86,400 seconds. Accomplish something today. There are plenty of things you can do right now that you have always said you wanted to do, but just never made the time to start. Well, now is that time!
8. Don’t only set broad goals. It’s great that you want to go to Australia; add it to your list, but don’t forget the smaller items while you’re there like rubbing your toes in the sand or building a sand castle on Bondi Beach. Set both broad and targeted goals to leave room for unexpected adventures.
9. Don’t let your vacation days go to waste. Regardless of the job you do or how much you love your career, everyone needs a vacation. Heck, I vacation for a living and I need time away from it.
10. Don’t ever give up. If you truly want something badly enough, you can make it a reality. Go after your dreams. Push the limits. And live your best life.
Bucket List Publications 
Wow, I want to be there!!
LikeLike
Very good do’s and don’ts. Thanks! Hope CA has been a good move for you all- I’ve got some catching up to do in your world- Happy New Years:) cheers…wendy
LikeLike
Being retired makes it easier. 🙂 On another note, it’s amazing what you can accomplish in a weekend close to home with a little imagination and not much money. –Curt
LikeLiked by 1 person
My cousin told me about this great place in North Wales
I thought it might be something you’d want to add to your list if you ever make it to Wales. They also have the longest and fastest zipwire in Europe
LikeLike
I’m working on my bucketlist now!
LikeLike
I have a bucket list, and i’m 25!
LikeLike
I am starting a bucket list, and your blog is great for helping me do the list right.
LikeLike
Great idea! I will be working on one in the next few days.
LikeLike
Very inspiring !!! Happy New Year to you and family !
LikeLike
Reblogged this on rollingblogger and commented:
Good Advice!!!! I can, and will, also be making an anti bucket list.
LikeLike
I’m doing this, thanks for the ideas and motivation. Over the years I’ve come up with lots of things I want to do “someday”. The problem was, while I saw a lot of days come I never saw a ” someday”. Also, I never wrote these goals down. I think for me the idea of creating a list was that this is a commitment. As I read this post, I thought this does not have to be a must do list. That if I don’t do something on my list, it’s ok. Thanks and I hope the coming year is a glorious year for you.
LikeLike
Do it because YOU want to…
LikeLike
Very nice imagine
LikeLike
I guess I should write one then… 🙂 So far I only wrote 3 words that I want to be led by in 2015 and they are EDIT, CREATE & ENJOY. Now for the details!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think goal setting is a great way to encourage a person to think about their lives and I agree that large and small goals are important to keep you motivated on a course of action. I also think being willing to let them go and move on, if for some reason they become unattainable. Knowing when to let go of a goal, I think is as important as knowing when to strive to reach one. I know my mind needs this kind of attainment to get me focusing on what is important in my life. Long term and short term and I am extremely proud of what I have achieved but I also know the importance of allowing space-to just relax. Its a very fluid subject for me. 🙂
LikeLike
I am lucky. For many folks their #1 bucket list item is to be like me. It isn’t perfect, but I do rack up the air miles.
LikeLike
Even though I’ve been a travel blogger for 5+ years now, I’ve never written a bucket list! First thing on my bucket list for 2015 is to write a bucket list!
Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful, a step by step guide to making a Bucket List. I always seem to get stuck on the fantastical ideas but I like the idea of dreaming smaller too. Thank you for another year of inspiration. Happy New Year to you and your family. May 2015 exceed your dreams.
LikeLike
I love a good bucket list but they tend to only live in my head as dreams. This year we plan to write it all down and get organizing! Thanks for the inspiration.
LikeLike
Happy New Year Leslie!
LikeLike
Don’t set unachievable goals? Then how will you experience the sheer beauty of disappointment?
LikeLike
Oh goodness… I never said don’t set unachievable goals. I set them every day. I just said don’t make them all unachievable. You need to experience both disappointment and success 😉
LikeLike
Thank you for this inspiring post! I always love seeing what you are doing. Happy New Year!!
LikeLike
Happy New Year Leslie! Thanks for sharing these tips.. 🙂 Food for thought.
LikeLike
Happy New Year Leslie! Guess it’s that time of the year to make the list already? You have great notes here and I will definitely keep them in mind, thanks for sharing 🙂
LikeLike
Great advice!
LikeLike
Great list! One more: Don’t appreciate only big goals. We do so many small things every day we tend to forget about them. For example, you may don’t think, but cooking a traditional Christmas dinner then baking Christmas cookies, drinking mulled wine and walking in a Christmas market are cool bucket list goals that make Christmas enjoyable and intimate.
LikeLike