How To Finish Your Bucket List

The bucket list is always a great concept. You have a million things on yours. You swear you're going to do all of them. You have these ongoing list, constantly growing... but are you actually crossing things off? Here's how to make sure you get every last check mark.

The first thing you learn in writing is that the only thing as important as the actual writing is the editing. Making a bucket list is no different. You can add a thousand things to it, but really some of them probably aren't a big deal to you. They're sucking up space and motivation to get the other valid entries done. If your list has more than a hundred things on it. Stop. Edit. Get rid of the things that don't belong on a bucket list (have a bad ass job, house, car, etc.) and put those where they belong - on a GOAL list. Bucket lists are designed to be things that you're probably lacking either the money/time to do right now, or require a specific opportunity to present itself. Things you're required to work for to achieve belong no where on this list. Kick them out of the precious real estate.

Then you need to assess the content of your list. Say you've added something like - learn 10 languages. That's great and all, but you failed High School Spanish. Reassess. You have fuck a porn star on your list, but you're married and probably couldn't keep up with a porn star these days anyway. Reassess. You have to also acknowledge that you do have a finite amount of time to get these things done, so if you're dreaming of a year long around the world trip - you probably need to start factoring these things into your decision making. You're only ever gonna put a dent in your list if you're setting yourself up to be in a position to act. Some things can't run concurrently. If you wait until you find out you're dying to start working on the list - YOU WILL NOT FINISH. And I think we all know, regret is a bitch. Kick that bitch in the ass and keep it moving.

Once you've edited and assessed, you probably have a decent looking, probably doable list. Now take into account the things that you need to be a specific age to do - if you wanna hike the Grand Canyon, probably work that in before you're too old to have the energy for it. Plan the bucket list into your life, and it'll be more than a good idea, it'll be a string of totally awesome memories you're pretty proud of yourself for pulling off.

We know I'm all about the organization and planning, so trust me when I say - do yourself a favor and get your bucket list in order. Because yea, death is scary and probably won't be happening to you today - but wouldn't you rather be on your death bed with a shiny completed list than a bunch of empty check boxes? I think so.