Setting Life Goals with a Bucket List: A Life with No Regrets

In the 2007 film The Bucket List, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, two terminally ill men create a list of things they want to do before they die and then set out to do them (IMDB). It's a story of life, love and living each moment to the fullest. It has inspired many people, as it has inspired me, to create a "Bucket List" of their own. Unfortunately, many things that people want to do before they die aren't immediately within reach, due to cost or other obligations, such as boating on the Yangtze or learning to pilot a plane. But that doesn't mean you can't live your life to the fullest, here and now. Every summer, I create a "Summer Bucket List" of my own - and every fall, the weather chills with that list still unfinished. This year, I'm going to do them all!

Creating a Summer Bucket List of your own is easy, and a great way to make sure you take full advantage of the beautiful weather. The goal of a Summer Bucket List is to create it so that if you died in the Fall, you would know that you had lived your last Summer to the fullest. Think of it as the Bucket List Light. But be careful - there are few things as disheartening as setting goals for yourself and failing to meet them! Follow these simple steps to ensure sure you create a Summer Bucket List that will improve your life and leave you feeling fulfilled at the end of the season.

Think It Over

What are some things you like to do this summer, but rarely get done? What things would you like to do more? Are there simple changes you've wanted to make to your life that would be easier to do in the summer, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking more water or taking up gardening? Do you feel like you don't spend enough time with your children? The summer is a perfect time to play ball or teach them to ride their bikes. Putting these things in writing makes you accountable to yourself for making them happen.

Recognize Your Limitations

Like myself, I'm sure you can think up a thousand different things you'd like to accomplish this summer - ranging from outdoor activities to improving or renewing old relationships. But be realistic. Like I said above, there is nothing more disheartening than setting goals for yourself and failing to meet them. Maybe you want to take a trip. But ask yourself - will taking it place added financial pressure on you? And maybe you want to start jogging every day. Well, every day is a lot to ask of anyone. So, start with putting a set number of times a week on your list, and let you body decide when is best. As long as you've met the number of times you wanted to do in a week, it doesn't matter when you do them. And if you jog more often, then you've exceeded the goals you set for yourself, and that feels good.

Let Your Priorities Guide You

When it comes to setting goals for yourself, let your priorities guide you. Or, better yet, let what you want your priorities to be guide you. If saving money is important to you, then pick activities that won't break the bank. If spending more time with your family is important, ten choose some things that bring everyone together, like throwing barbecues or hosting a family reunion. And if building your career is important to you right now, then work your Summer Bucket List around that - fortunately, summer gives us lots of extra daylight after the work day. Whatever your passions, work that into your list so your summer is balanced and you are happy.

I hope that this article has inspired you to start a Summer Bucket List, with many more bucket lists to follow. Because it's easy to put things off until tomorrow - and if that's all you do, then you'll live with more regrets than successes. So give it a go. You may find this new way of living life gives you an outlook that you've never had before, and a new appreciation for each passing day.