It’s time for your bucket list to kick the bucket!
After all, isn’t that what these lists imply; things you want to do before you die? I’m thinking Hollywood Movie, The Bucket List with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson where they bust out of a cancer ward to go tick items off their dream lists (so fun by the way!) Many of us are master procrastinators as it is, do we really need a list of all the things we want most, only to make our procrastination clearer?
Most of the time a Bucket List is something talked about occasionally, thought about even less often, and used to beat ourselves up about for rarely accomplishing. That list is usually safely stored away in the dusty drawer called our memory bank, ready to be pulled out again when we’re 85… if we even remember by then and are still able to fulfill those dreams and experiences!
Let me be clear, I’m all about big dreams and unlimited possibility, this is the juice of life!
But I’m also all about “how about now?” What would be different if, instead of a bucket list, we created a possibility list – a bucket list with intention? What if life was spent weaving our big dreams into our day to day life? What if, instead of sitting and waiting for our busyness to end (careers, having kids, caring for aging parents, etc.), we created a Bucket List of intentional goals that could be achieved now?! After all, we don’t know how many tomorrows will come.
How can you create a possibility list and make your dreams happen NOW?
- The first, and arguably most fun step is to dream it up!
Put on your favourite tunes, grab a tasty beverage or snack, a notepad and pen, and make a list of all the things you have always wanted to do in life (African Safari for me!). Think back to when you were a kid, what did you use to say you would do one day? Put your judgments aside and get caught up in the excitement of possibility! For more support with this part, check-out this article on creating a bucket list. It doesn’t have to be a huge list and it doesn’t have to be a crazy list; no one is judging here.
- Choose the top three items from your list.
Choose the items that have you feeling most inspired and excited. Again, without knowing how, write down beside each one a date that you would like to achieve this by. Choose a future date that resonates with you and is realistic. It might stretch your limits of what you think is possible at this moment, but setting a realistic goal will help you achieve this action sooner rather than later.
- Baby steps.
What’s one thing you could do this week, today even, to get you closer to that goal? Research African Safari’s on Google, call your Aunt Emily who has connections with a paragliding company, post your goal on your fridge complete with magazine cut out pictures? Taking actions, even small ones will help you to make it happen!
- Tell someone, in fact, tell everyone!
The power of our words is astounding. Speak your goal out to a friend or family member “I will (insert dream here) by (insert date here).” Does that scare you a little? Give you a thrill? That means you’re on the right road! There’s an old wives’ tale that says by speaking something out loud you could jinx it from happening – THROW THAT OUT THE WINDOW! The more you speak about your dreams, the more likely you are to subconsciously manifest them. Ask those that you tell to hold you accountable!
- Stay in action.
Create a plan. Yep, with dates and timelines attached to the steps that need to be taken to get you to your dream. Place your plan in a location you see often to remind you of your upcoming dreams coming true! Try not to be discouraged if dates pass, after all, it’s your plan, you’re allowed to adjust it.
Following this bucket list with intention will ensure you enjoy the journey of life, knowing that each day you are taking small steps towards fulfilling your bigger goals and dreams.
What dreams have you put on the backburner in your own life? What’s on your Possibility List? Not sure where to start? Coaching is a great opportunity for help to dig deep for the dreams you already have inside, but may have been buried under your day to day life. If you need help manifesting your Possibility List, give me a call, I’d love to help!
Please share your big dreams below. That’s practice for step 4 above 😉
Sheila Leclerc
Personal Coaching for Soulful Working Women