If social media has given us anything (other than a bad case of the FOMO’s), it’s an intimate glimpse of our beautiful world — places we never knew existed, adventures we never imagined we could take, foods that leave us salivating, people who empower us, and the desire to make our own bucket list.
Let’s dive in to explore how you can make an ultimate one.
What Exactly Is a Bucket List?
We can’t talk about the subject at hand without mentioning the movie called — what else — The Bucket List. It’s the best example of exactly what a bucket list is.
The movie is about two people (played by Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman) of different backgrounds and social classes, both suffering from terminal diseases. Instead of passively waiting for their ill-fated demise, they set out to accomplish a list of things they have not ever been able to do in their lives.
And that list is a bucket list.
The origin of the phrase meant a list of things you’d like to do before dying — or as the expression goes, “kicking the bucket.” And like many great things in life, it evolved into more of a wish list with a deadline, like a summer bucket list.
Now, while many people still create short-term lists (and there’s definitely nothing wrong with that), others put together a list of end goals that will enable them to live truly fulfilled lives.
What Are End Goals?
In order to really understand what end goals are about, we’re going to have to talk about means goals.
Means goals
It’s human nature to have an objective to strive towards, even if we don’t always fulfill them (oh, hello resolutions 2021, nice to see you again!).
However, when we set goals for ourselves, we tend to seek ones that are on the surface:
- I want to have a career where I make a lot of money.
- I want to have a big house and a fancy car.
- I want to marry a beautiful wife/handsome husband.
These are known as means goals. And while they are all wonderful things to aim for, the problem with them is that they don’t have any depth or serve a meaningful purpose.
Many of us are taught to believe that if we achieve these types of goals, we will be happy and fulfilled (as most “brules” would have us believing). However, means goals are the resources and preparation to get you to where you actually want to aim towards — your end goals.
End Goals
Now, end goals are what should be on your bucket list. They are your destination — goals that give your life meaning and, as Marie Kondo says, “spark joy.” These could include:
- I want to work in a place where I can make great friends and business connections.
- I want to live by a beach so I can have a connection with the earth.
- I want to marry someone who I admire, respect, and communicate openly with.
End goals are often about what your heart wants you to do and about setting goals for feelings.
— Vishen, founder and CEO of Mindvalley
So, when you create a bucket list that focuses on the means goal, you might wander off the path you’re meant to be on. But when your list focuses on your end goals, your soul guides you to the place you’re meant to be.
How Do You Make Your Ultimate Bucket List?
“What do you want in life?”
For many of us, finding an answer to this question might as well be like taking our annual flu shot — it helps us, but we dread it at the same time. From the time we were young to adulthood, it’s a question that constantly arises. And it’s such a broad one, so how do you pinpoint your happiness from that?
But what if you broke it down into three important questions?
- What do you want to experience in your life?
- How do you want to grow and develop yourself?
- How do you want to contribute to the world?
It seems more manageable, right? Good! Because these three steps will help you create your ultimate bucket list so you can live your best life.
#1: Your experiences
If money and time weren’t an issue, what would you want to experience that would enable you to feel joy?
You may want to keep these matters in mind when you make your list:
- What does your love life look like?
- Also, your social life?
- The type of car would you want to drive?
- Have you envisioned the type of home you’d want to live in?
- Where do you want to travel?
- Do you have activities, hobbies, or sports you want to explore?
- Are there any other things you dream of having in your life?
Whatever you want to do or have, put it down.
#2: Your growth
Personal growth has been put in the limelight recently and rightfully so. It can help you grow emotionally and mentally so you feel fulfilled. In turn, you become a more considerate, loving, and positive person for yourself, for those around you, and as a member of society.
So, consider these points when you craft this part of your bucket list:
- Are there any skills (like languages or arts) you want to develop?
- Do you admire any character traits in others that you want to master?
- How do you want to deal with stressful events in your life?
- What are your health and fitness goals?
- Would you like to dive deeper into spirituality?
- As you progress into the different stages of life, how would you like to feel?
- And what would you like to be able to do as you age?
However, you want to grow and develop, put it down.
#3: Your contribution
We rise by lifting others.
— Robert Ingersoll
Your greatness and happiness aren’t about what you have; it’s about what you give. And you can do so by contributing to the world. So, think about this:
- What problem would you like to solve for humanity or for the planet?
- How will your contribution — whether it’s to your family, friends, society, or city — make the world a better place?
- What is the legacy you want to leave behind?
Whichever way you believe your contribution will be beneficial for the world, put it down.
Where the Magic Happens
Somewhere in the internet universe, there’s a motivational meme that encourages you to label your to-do lists as “quests.” Its intention is to make your lists more fun to do.
