“Bucket lists are helpful in that they’re a way of listening to your inner wisdom. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, to-do lists, going to work and coming home, doing chores, and the like – you can lose sight of that inner compass.”
– Dr. Shilagh Mirgain
Defining the bucket
What do you think of first when someone mentions a bucket list? Incredible once-in-a-lifetime adventures? Stretch goals? Comparison?
The original term “bucket list” comes from the phrase “kick the bucket.” It is essentially a list of things that you want to do before you die. For me, this idea conjures up visions of grandiose experiences. I picture a bucket with blinking neon lights and flashy decorations. It also feels like a static list that is put together once, with the goal of ticking off items as you manage to achieve them so that others can see what you have accomplished as you add them to your flashy bucket.
I do, however, believe that bucket lists can be a great tool when setting intentions. The key is in the perspective. So kick that flashy bucket to the curb.
What bucket do I envision?
I prefer the idea of the bucket of emotional wellbeing for a bucket list. This is the bucket that comes to mind when we remind our kids to “fill someone else’s bucket.”
When you know who you are – truly understand your alignment – you can easily identify the elements that will:
- Make your life more full,
- Feed your growth and creativity, and
- Provide an opportunity to contribute as only you can.
This bucket is not as flashy as the “before I kick the bucket” bucket. And everyone’s “fill my bucket” bucket looks a little different.
This bucket is a living thing – it changes as you change and keeps up with who you are at every point in your life.
Since you actively control what is on your “fill my bucket” list, you can fill it at will with activities that line up with YOU today!
Setting bucket list intentions
Create your bucket list to include both big and small alignment-driven activities. Think about what has fed your spirit and encouraged you to grow in the past. Include some big hairy audacious goals – as long as they align with you!
For example, if music feeds your soul, start small with learning a new instrument, or step it up to attending a favorite band’s concert at a unique venue.
Or if you love to learn about new cultures, include learning to cook a traditional ethnic dish, or go big and plan a vacation to a small village where you can live like a local for a week.
You could choose to go big or go small with most anything that you want to put on your list. Keep a good mix of both at all times.
Using your bucket list
When you find yourself with a free afternoon or weekend, look at your list. See what speaks to you.
When you are thinking about what to do in the next year, look at the bigger items on your list and consider what you can do to move toward accomplishing one of those.
Share with others and invite them along on your adventures.
Look at your list and edit it regularly.
- When you do something on the list, cross it off. Or choose to leave it there to remind you to do it again and reap the benefits again!
- Take off items that are not true to who you are today – whether you evolved past them or they were never really true to you. Do this without judgement but rather to ensure that the list is a true reflection of you today.
- Add new items that build on who you are today.
- Remind yourself of the “why” behind each item. Understand what it connects with and nourishes in you.
Reflections
- What might you put on your “fill my bucket” bucket list?
- How might you celebrate achieving one of the items on the list?
Check out more blogs in this series exploring how we can set our intentions for the future:
As always, I look forward to your comments – share them below or directly sent to me.
P.S. Knowing what your compass looks like today is a key first step in alignment. You can start that adventure in the Creating My Compass course.