Why Every Planner Needs a Bucket List
So, now that you've gone through the Lifestyle Designer Workbook and figured out who it is you want to be, It's time to look at what you want to do.
I remember freaking out whenever anyone asked me about my 5 year or 10 year plan. I had no clue what I wanted. I was a very "live in the moment" kind of person and I was completely okay with living life as it happened. Beyond having the "normal" goals of graduating, having a good career, getting married, having a family and generally being happy, I hadn't really thought about what it was that I wanted to do. Being satisfied and content with where you are in life is one thing, but being complacent is another. The last thing I want is to become complacent or settling and no longer growing. Now, as life seems to be passing by like a speeding bullet, I want to make the most of it.
That's where a bucket list comes in.
So why a bucket list? Well there's lots of reasons.
PURPOSE + GOALS + DIRECTION + FOCUS
The daily grind of stressful, time consuming jobs too easily allows us to become complacent and stuck in a non-satisfying routine. Our days easily become predictive and monotonous. You may be saying, "Yes, but I have to work for a living", but let me remind you, your life doesn't have to be boring. Having a bucket list lays the groundwork for a life full of purpose, direction, and focus. It puts you back in control of your life, rather than letting it pass you by. It directs you on which goals to strive for, where to take your life, and helps to clarifiy what is important to you.
I 've never met a group of people that is more goal-oriented and encouraging than the planner community. Being part of this amazing group of people has encouraged me to approach each day with a focus on what needs to get done and what I want to accomplish. More than using my planner to actually plan the events of my day, I'd say I use it most for goal planning and making sure my days are intentional. There's not much I do throughout my day that doesn't have some impact on a goal I'm working towards. In my planner a bucket list acts as a master list of goals, which I then reference each year, month, and even week. It is the first step in determining what I should be doing and working towards. Simply by writing each goal out it makes them feel that much more real and increases the likelihood that they'll be achieved. Let's face it, we all know that there's nothing more motivating and satisfying than checking off a goal from the list.
HOPE + MOTIVATION
Life is tough, but it's so important to persevere and keep pushing. During difficult or stressful times a bucket list keeps your attention focused forward rather than overwhelming you with the past. Being hopeful for the future is the perfect antidote when you're feeling a bit down in the dumps.
When i'm feeling a bit off, I love flipping through my bucket list to remind myself of what I'm here for. It's a good wake up call once in a while and motivates me to shake off any negativity and keep going.
EXPLORATION + DREAMING + LEARNING
A bucket list pushes you out of your comfort zone, encouraging you to try new things and add to your experiences. Everyone gets stuck in the comfort zone once in a while, me included. I have to admit, I like routine. Having a bucket list, however, puts me in the mindset to challenge myelf. This is where I dream big and write out all of the places I want to go and the wild things I'd love to say I've done.
As we go through chapters in life, we grow and change as people and our wants and desires change along with us. Life is all about self-discovery but it's an on going process. The best thing about a bucket list is that it is never ending! You can always add to it and change it as you go through life's experiences. It moves with you.
"You have exactly one life to do everything you'll ever do - act accordingly."
- COLIN WRIGHT
TAKE ACTION
Actions speak a whole lot louder than words. It's one thing to think about who you want to be and it's another to go out there and achieve your dream into being that person. So now I challenge you. Sit down with your Lifestyle Designer Workbook and think about who it is you're becoming. What would that person do? In their career? Family? Where would they travel? What things would they achieve? Own? Write out everything that you want to accomplish in your life on the Bucket List insert. Click the links below to get your own bucket list now available in the shop!
-Emilee