Making a Bucket List vs. Resolutions

It is rumored that a retired NYPD Captain opened a gym called “Resolutions” in Manhattan three years ago. It was equipped with all types of exercise appartus for the first 2 weeks of each year.  It was then transformed into a bar for the remaining fifty.

It is time to rethink this whole New Year’s Resolutions phenomenon. The statistics on how many people actually follow through and accomplish their New Year’s resolutions are pretty dismal. Most people abandon their resolutions after just one week, less than 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, and only 8% accomplish them.

Let’s face facts about resolutions.  Everyone has a mental list of things they would like to fix/change.  New Year seems like a perfect time to start.  In fact, over half of our population makes such resolutions every January 1st.  Resolutions fail for a number of reasons; they are not reasonable, practical or fun.

However, setting both long- and short-term goals can encourage you to put some fun back into your life and can be liberating. Goals inspire us to do something new and/or exciting that promotes feelings of energy, relaxation, and help prevent burnout. I prefer to call these goals “bucket list items”.

The psychology behind a bucket list is pretty straight forward.  It is considered a form of positive goal-setting which promotes both physical and mental health. Bucket lists help emphasize the importance of taking time for things you enjoy in life.  

The Bucket List

A bucket list is defined as “a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime”.  Each bucket list is unique to the individual who created it; you own it, and you nurture it.  You can put anything on the list you want to.  It is a running list that can be modified anytime.  You don’t have to share it with anyone if you don’t want to.

The Basics of Bucket Lists

The first part of creating a bucket list is deciding how to maintain the list.  It can be something you keep on paper in a journal, maintain digitally on your computer, or even keep as a running list on your smart-phone. It needs to be accessible so that you can easily add to it. 

Really look at your dreams.  For now, don't think about whether or not anything on your list is realistic.  Just write it down for fun, you can decide later.

Next you have to evaluate your goals.  Losing weight is not the type of goal I am talking about.  Fitting into the dress uniform you bought in 2006 to wear to Police Memorial Service in Washington D.C. this year is a goal.

Don’t forget to consider goals you abandoned because you believed you couldn’t achieve them from the past that you would still like to reach.

Remember goals are something positive; some of your goals may be life-long, whereas other new goals may occur to you at any moment.

Go back and remember things that you wanted to do when you were a child, teen, or young adult.  Did you want to go to the state fair?  Did you ever daydream about skydiving?   Is there anything you'd always hoped to do that you'd still like to do? Add it to the list.

Think about what you need to accomplish your goals.  Consider your health, your relationships, your finances, your living situation, etc.  What knowledge do you need to succeed in your quests. Add these things to your list.

Think about what is missing in your life.  Is there anything you wish you were doing regularly? Did you love to read as a child?  Make it a goal to read a new book every month.  Were you previously artistic?  Consider taking an art class, or showing some of your pieces.  Do you need some regular humor?  Find a buddy to go to a comedy club with you.

Getting Started on Your Own Bucket List

OK, it is officially time to make your first draft.  There is absolutely no advantage to postponing this endeavor.   All you need is a tablet, phone or a piece of paper, and a healthy dose of creatively. Completely let go of your fears and limits. Write everything that comes into your head, no matter how absurd or far-fetched it may seem. 

Here are some important and practical tips:

·        Check out the bucket lists of other people for ideas; there are tons of these lists online for you to review. I did a Google search for " bucket list" - there were over 600 million results.

·         Your bucket list should reflect your own personality, quirks, and interests.  If you don’t have any desire to visit Paris, don’t put it on your list just because it is on everyone else’s list. 

·         Don't censor yourself because you're worried how others would judge you.

·         Surround yourself with other people who actively set goals.

·         Mix both big and small goals on your list.

·         Include harder/easier variations for some goals. For example, live in an overseas country / sublet an apartment for a month in Rome.

·         Remember a bucket list is not a list of feats, but a guideline for self-improvement.

·         It doesn't matter if you don't achieve some of the items; a bucket list isn't an exercise in perfectionism.

·         Set some specific time aside each week to work on your bucket list: planning, pricing, timing, etc.

·         If you want, work with someone else who may want to indulge with you.

·         Be careful not to turn your Bucket List into a list of materialistic wants.

·         Avoid treating a bucket list as putting the rest of your life on hold; you still have to do what you have to do.  Enjoy your life now.

***Disclaimer: Illegal, immoral, or dangerous activities may result in major, unhappy consequences.

Some Bucket Ideas to Get You Started

Yes, almost every cop I have worked with like to test their limits; on duty and off.  If you are one these adrenaline junkies your bucket list will often include any activity that involves a larger than normal amount of danger or risk of injury. If that sounds like you, here are some suggestions to add to your list.  Be creative, there are thousands of other daring adventures to consider.  And…be careful.

1.       Kayak over a waterfall

2.       Storm chasing tour

3.       Run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain

4.       “Buildering” (climbing the outside of buildings and other artificial structures)

5.       Swim with great white sharks

You get the point – doing something you want to do that contains a challenge and requires a certain degree of measurable effort.  Remember you can start small, and your bucket list doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  Here is an example of five easy and affordable activities.

1.       Go paintballing

2.       Learn how to play the harmonica

3.       Witness a solar eclipse

4.       Run a marathon

5.       Adopt a shelter pet

Commonly, people include traveling in their bucket lists. There are so many places to go…so many people to meet…so many things to see. 

1.       Go on safari in Africa

2.       Turn up at an airport, book a flight and go somewhere random

3.       Go to the Olympics

4.       Take a hot air balloon ride in Albuquerque

5.       Go salmon fishing in Alaska

And let’s not forget the things you’ve seen or heard of that you have always had a yen to try...

1.       Try an exotic food (like fried tarantulas)

2.       Earn a pilot license

3.       Take up gardening

4.       Go water skiing

5.       Get a college degree

6.       Go horseback riding

7.       Start geocaching

8.       Go to a live NFL game

9.       Take martial arts lessons

10.   Ride a camel

11.   Write a book

12.   Build your custom deck

13.   Coach a little league team

14.   Visit your childhood house

15.   Smoke a fine cigar

The Benefits of a Bucket List

A bucket list is more than simply enumerating things a person wants to do or accomplish before she/he dies aka: “kicks the bucket”. Goals can motivate us to accomplish things both great and small.  However, these goals need to be coupled with practical plans for achieving them.

A bucket list can also be considered as an attempt to make one’s life meaningful and fulfilled. Often, we do not know what is worth doing until we actually do it, and then reflect upon it. The truth is that a bucket list is not about dying but about living.  Having worked for decades as a first responder, I firmly believe this type of goal setting is necessary.  You’ve seen it too…life truly is too short…enjoy the ride!  Happy New Year!