“All our dreams can come true; if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney
For many of us having grand dreams can feel like a waste of time. Never reaching them could be extremely painful, and so we cast them aside settling for more realistic achievements. Some of you may have tried making a bucket list, but even that can be disappointing when nothing on it ever gets ticked off.
This workshop will take you through the process of making a functional bucket list. Learn how to make a blueprint that reveals the most important tasks to achieve dream goals. Understand how skill development builds the courage you need to pursue your dreams.
Exercise guidelines:
- Get a pen & paper or use excel/G-sheets.
- Draw up a table with 4 columns
- Take your time with these exercises
- Revisit the list two or three times a year (or as needed.)
Exercise 1 - The Many Buckets
In the first column you are going to list all your "Bucket-List" items under 4 categories. You can repeat answers if they fit under multiple categories.
- Destinations - List out places you want to visit before you kick the proverbial bucket. This can be countries, cities, famous landmarks, attractions, restaurants, markets, festivals, beaches... anything goes.
- Experiences - Things you want to experience can vary from adventure activities, food, culture, travel. Under experiences also include skills you want to learn like languages, sports, instruments & activities.
- Achievements - List the things can culminate with a specific event. Financial, work and career related stuff like changing careers, earning X per month, investing X in Y or buy a house. Other areas to consider are health and fitness. Loose weight, do an ironman or triathlon, quit drinking or smoking. Also consider achievements with exiting skills you have, like playing music at a festival, becoming a chess grandmaster or surfing a particular wave in the world.
- Social - All things interpersonal. Relationship goals like marriage, starting a family or sexual experiences. Also consider friends, family and community goals.
Exercise 2 - Why this?
Start this exercise in the second column. For each line in the first column, respond with a short answer to why you wrote this down. What makes this important in your life?
Exercise 3 - What do I need to make it possible?
The answers to this question go in the third column. What are the things you need to make this bucket list entry possible? Common answers include time, money, gear, a specific person, an ability you don't yet possess, a state of being you don't yet have (like fitness). Just list out the requirements.
Exercise 4 - What skills do I need the most?
Look at your answers from exercise 3 and write down what skills you would need to have to make attain this item or make the process easier.
Example:
- Money: Productivity skills, sales skills, video skills, financial literacy
Exercise 5 - Pick one skill & make a habit out of it
The final step is to pick one skill and start practicing it habitually. Find a way to make a daily practice out of it, ideally.
For more on how to build habits effectively, check out our Habit Design video.