10 Reasons Why We All Need To Make A Bucket List

What is a Bucket List?

A “Bucket List” according to Oxford Dictionary  is “a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime”.

When I was younger I never quite liked the term Bucket List.  I much preferred to call it a wish list or goal list.  Over the years, however, I have learnt to accept and be comfortable with human mortality.  It is the ultimate truth after all.  In fact, accepting this truth and being mindful of it is what makes us live our best possible lives. This does not mean it’s a race against time in any way.  In fact, it gives us real control over our lives.  It is a heart felt vision of how one would like their life to unfold.

In order to live our life to its fullest potential, I believe everyone must create a bucket list and here are my reasons why.

10 Reasons Why We All Need To Make A Bucket List:

1. Accountability:

Our life is our own unique journey and we need to take full charge of not only how we spend our time but what direction we take.  Getting caught up in everyday minor issues and problems can create a feeling of helplessness. Furthermore, procrastination, laziness or lack of initiative can just let life pass us by. Creating a list of what is important to us makes us responsible for taking action and makes us accountable not only for our time but also our decisions.

2. Clarity and Vision:

Bucket list gives us with the opportunity to take the time and figure out exactly what is important to us.  It provides us with clarity and vision for what we want from life.  This is an essential step.  Once we have a clear vision half the mission is accomplished.  The exciting part is that as we establish what we want, the entire universe is also ready to help us.  As Paulo Coelho says in the Alchemist  “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

3. Focus:

It gives our life direction and focus.  Often when we have no concrete plans we indulge a little more in watching television, dillydallying, being indecisive and of course eating and drinking more then necessary.  Before we know it we get into a very sedentary lifestyle.  Soon we feel as if our life is beyond our control.

With our bucket list, our mind becomes engaged and preoccupied in the planning and excitement of our adventures.  There is no time left to waste.  We begin to feel fully in control of our actions and our life.   We have places to go and things to do. 

4. A Sense of Purpose:

Having a vision with clarity and focus helps us find a sense of purpose in each day.  Just like little children wake up with enthusiasm and excitement, we start looking forward to our days.  Curiosity, wonder, joy and excitement return to our lives.   We begin to connect with the real beauty of life.

5. Growth and Creativity: 

As we start to write down things that are important to us we naturally start to work on knowledge, skills and resources needed to fulfill our desires.  We learn to push our limits, take risks, find people that inspire us and constantly seek new adventures.

In order to achieve items on our list we constantly learn and grow and become a bigger and better version of ourselves.  As Henry David Thoreau say, “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”

6. Better Social Relations: 

Rober Waldinger, director of Harvard Study of Adult Development (conducted over 80 years) states,  “The surprising finding is that our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships has a powerful influence on our health.” He goes on to say, “Good relations don’t just protect our bodies; they protect our brains”.

So creating a list helps us prioritize our time and commitments.   We figure out precisely with whom we enjoy spending the time and when and where we are wasting it.  With improved awareness, we spend quality time with our loved ones.  We learn to say yes where it matters and no where it does not.

7. Balanced Life:  

A balanced life is one of the key elements of feeling fulfilled and happy.  We don’t want to look back in 10 years and realize we spent so much time working that we missed out on being with our loved ones or that we did not dream big enough or challenge ourselves enough. A list created on a piece of paper is very easy to decipher, analyze and recreate.  When reviewing it on a regular basis, if we find too much emphasis on one part of our life, we can simply erase and recreate.  Now follow the new list, the more balanced one. Voila!!

8. Conscious Mindful Living:

Mankind has known for centuries that the key to happiness is to live in the present.  Yet, our controlling minds keep us engaged in the past or the future.  We spend way too much time regretting things that happened in the past or worrying about what might happen in the future. Making a list and following it on a daily basis gives us that awareness to live in each moment, to make each moment count.

9. Joy & Fulfillment:

Engaging in experiences that are important to our heart and soul gives us a sense of joy and fulfillment.  Those who set goals and achieve them live life to the fullest.  They constantly learn, grow and indulge in life.

10. A Life with no regrets

In my opinion there is nothing quite as sad as a life filled with regrets.  We are so blessed to be living in this beautiful universe full of abundance, yet we often live life from the sidelines, watching life silently pass us by, too scared to jump in and indulge.  Having a list and knowing what you want out of your life allows you to live consciously, with focus, clarity, passion and commitment, leaving no room for regrets.

To know that you truly lived is an amazing legacy to leave behind.

Have I motivated you enough to start your list?  I hope so!

Next question is how to create a meaningful list…watch out for the next blog post coming soon.

With Love, 

Devinder ❤️