Making a List, Checking it Twice

There is no doubt about it- I am a list maker.

I make lists for everything- personal to do, work to do, home improvement projects, songs I want to download, stores I need to make returns at, stores I want to visit and linger at for hours if I ever had that kind of time… even a running Christmas list, because without fail it will be the day after Thanksgiving and I will have no idea what to suggest as gift ideas for the girls.  And yes, at one point, there has even been a list of lists.  But there is one thing that I have wanted to capture that, while I have often talked about it, I have never taken the time to put pen to paper (or type into a word document) in order to make it “official”.

My Life List.

Now, some people might call it a bucket list.  I, for one, choose the term Life List.   I firmly believe that the things I have identified will help mold and create the type of life that I want to live.  You know, so when I look back one day I can say that I gave it my all, or in other words “Yeah, I pretty much rocked it.” 

Whatever you call it, why you do it, or the parameters you use to make it really doesn’t matter; there is no magic number (although 100 seems to come up a lot) and I have even seen the list divided into categories such as famous monuments to see, athletics to achieve, adventure activities, charities to participate in etc.  As it is with so many things in life, it’s whatever works for you that is important.

So  just in case you might want to get inspired, I came across some questions that might help get those “one day I want to” dreams captured:

• What is one thing you have always wanted to do but have not done yet?
• What would you do if you have unlimited time, money and resources?
• Any countries, places or locations you want to visit?
• What are your biggest goals and dreams?
• Anyone you want to see in person or meet?
• What experiences do you want to have / feel?
• Are there any special moments you want to witness?
• What activities or skills do you want to learn or try?
• What do you need to do to lead a life of great meaning?

While I found these questions after I had already started my list, I still find them useful.  After creating my list, I can tell that it will be fluid-  one where it’s ok if I change my mind and take something off, or add something new (again, it’s whatever works for you). For me, the biggest commitment that I can make is to identify 2 - 3 things a year that I want to accomplish.  This is why it’s important to have big and small things identified, because, as we all know, it’s a lot of the little stuff that create some of the greatest moments in our lives.

So you might be asking… with all this talk, what do I have on my list?  To date I have 73 items identified.  Some of which include:

·         Ride a mechanical bull

·         Experience Oktoberfest in Germany (officially going next year!)

·         See the sun rise over the Grand Canyon

·         Attend the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics

·         Run a 5k

·         Drop a $100 bill into a street performer’s hat 

·         Dine at a chef’s table

·         Own a pair of Louboutin shoes

·         Go hiking in New Zealand

·         See a final Stanley Cup Playoff Game

·         Have a real Guinness in an Irish Pub

·         Be a Parrot Head at a Jimmy Buffett concert

And that’s only 12!

So, the final thing you might be asking is what things have I identified that I am going to knock off the list this year? 

Well, you might know that I will run my first 5k in just a few weeks.  Privately, there have been a few other things that I have knocked off this year as well.  As for what that was, or what else I aim to accomplish this year, I am keeping that information to myself.  But whatever it is, have no doubt, I am going to make it happen.

Because, as you might guess, doing all the things on my life list is #73.