How to Have a Successful Bucket List

How many of you have a "Bucket List"?  Probably many of you have a few ideas kicking around in your brain, but I'm talking about a written-down certifiable list.  Prince Eric and I were talking tonight and he mentioned how he always wanted to go the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH and we should plan a trip.  I countered with I would, but then I would get to drag him somewhere I always wanted to go and suggested the Mall of America.  Little did I know he actually wanted to go there too . . . . so my plan to stick him in misery didn't work, but I did get one more item to add to my list.  And, I can mark off Ohio to my list of states visited.

I first started my informal mental list around the time I achieved my goal of learning to drive a stick shift in 1999, then I went to a few places I always wanted to go- Las Vegas and Mexico.  Somewhere along the way I wrote down some things I wanted to do in a notebook and mostly forgot about it.  Finally, almost 3 years ago I utilized the public forum of Facebook to post my list and now it's always handy and visible.   Every year, I strive to mark off at least one thing on my list and I've been able to keep to it.  Technically, I have 2013 already done because we have a trip to Disneyland planned for December. But I keep thinking about the community college course catalog that came in the mail last week and has beginning and intermediate Sign Language classes being offered.  I took these classes many years ago but I am far from fluent.  I think it's time to start working on one of my medium dreams!  So, here's a few tips to get you started.

1.  Dream Big . . .  and medium and small.
     Add those pie-in-the-sky dreams in, the ones that might seem far out of reach, or unattainable.  It gives you a goal to look forward to and work towards.  But, also put the doable one & done down so you don't get discouraged.  Then, think of a few medium ones that might take a little longer, but are still within the realm of possibility.  Don't be afraid to just "sample" a dream.  I wanted to learn to knit and play the violin.  I learned one basic stitch, made a hat and scarf and I was done.  I haven't knit anything since.  I learned to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on the violin, and never played again.  It's okay to be easily satisfied with the experience.  I didn't feel I had to master the techniques.

2.  Complete at least one thing off your list every year.
    This gives you a sense of accomplishment and pushes you to do something that might be a little uncomfortable, but worth it.

3.  Update (add, delete, mark off) your list often.
     List new dreams as you think of them.  Delete those dreams that you no longer have interest in or that you're dreading.  This is for fun, not punishment.  Just because it was your dream at 20 doesn't mean you still want to do it at 30.  Case in point:  many years ago I saw a PBS special on the Appalachian Trail that followed a group of average people walking it.  Well, I only saw the episode that had them walking a paved trail and I thought this was what the whole trail was like. . . when I found out the reality I wasn't so interested. It remains on my list, but I scaled back from completing the AT to setting foot on it.  When you do complete an item, put the date on it, and maybe write a little about it.  It's fun to go back and see what you've done over the years.

4.  Tell people your dreams!
     You never know who knows somebody who might be able to help you achieve your dream.  Friends and family - I want to see your lists!  Maybe I'll see a good Christmas or birthday present idea.  I've come close twice to baling hay, one of my dreams, because of friend's farm connections.


MY LIST:
Bale hay
Write a book
Become fluent in another language
Lifetime member status Weight Watchers (maintain within 2 lbs goal weight)
Visit all 50 states (have done about 1/2)
Travel Europe
Pole dance
Running of the Bulls
Walk Appalachian Trail
Take a car repair course
Go to Disneyland
Build something usable
Stay the night somewhere haunted.
Go on a motorcycle ride
go to Breitenbush Hot Springs (aka organic hippy commune clothing optional springs)
visit / pick in a cranberry bog
go to an Easter Sunrise Service
go to Hooter's
go to the Mall of America

Previously accomplished:
learn to drive stick - 1999
knit a scarf & hat - 2005
polar bear swim -2006
play the violin - 2002
Get bachelors degree before 30 yrs old - dec 2002
Belly button pierced - 1995
Go to Mexico - 2004
Go to Las Vegas - 2000
Go greener every year
grow a garden - 2008
have chickens - mar 2011
catch a fish - may 2011
skinny dipped in Cabo! - Sept 2011
Snowshoed on Mt Bachelor - 12/31/11
go to McMenamins Edgefield - Mar 2012
Belly danced - 11/13/12