Creating a Bucket List (5 Examples for Making the PERFECT List)

In 2007 a movie called “The Bucket List” hit the theaters.

As a fan of both Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, I really enjoyed this movie—especially its primary message.

In case you haven’t seen it yet, the movie is about two men with terminal cancer that escape from the hospital to get out there and accomplish all the things that they’ve ever wanted to do before they inevitably die.

They actively work to cross off their lists of things to do before they “kick the bucket,” hence the name “bucket list.”

This led them to make the decision to start a new life. 

The two men were total strangers with absolutely nothing in common, but the fact that they were both nearing the end of their lives drew them into an unusual friendship.

Now, the fact that Jack Nicholson’s character was filthy rich definitely helped them out with this little journey around the world, but the idea of having a bucket list got me thinking: what would I place on my bucket list?

Well in this post, I’m going to go over the five different sections of what I consider to be the perfect bucket list.Obviously the list you make will be a lot different from mine.The important thing is to take a few hours one day and actually write down the things you wish to accomplish in your life.

To help you out, I’ve included a description of each section, plus a few examples that I have on my own buck list:

Step #1- What do I want to be?

Before anything else, I think it’s important to imagine the different things you would like to be.This can include skills you want to develop or roles you’d like to someday have.This is about imagining the perfect version of yourself and what type of man or woman you’d aspire to one day become.

Here are some of mine:

• Become the best boyfriend (then fiancé, then husband, then father) in the world
• Be someone my friends and family can always count on
• Be an Ironman Triathlon finisher
• Become a successful six-figure blogger
• Be a New York Times Bestselling author

Step #2- What do I want to have?

For some, material possessions are an important factor in life.For others, it doesn’t matter.This section is hard for me because I don’t really desire too many physical things.You might be different.In this section, you want to jot down the things that you want to possess before you die.

Here are some of mine:

• Have a nice home on the ocean in the Jersey Shore.
• Have a vintage sports car like a 1960’s Mustang
• Have a dedicated office with a wall covered in whiteboards where I can write every idea that pops in my head
• Earn over $1 million each year of passive income where I can choose to spend my time doing whatever I feel like
• Have a loving, supporting family

Step #3- What do I want to do?

This step is about figuring out what you want to accomplish in life.These can be a small accomplishment or major life-defining moment.Again, this is something that depends on your unique situation…so really explore your thoughts and find out what’s your purpose in life.

Here are some of mine:

• Get married to a woman who continues to amaze me each and every day
• Have my parents see their first grandchild
• Visit at least 50 different countries
• Hike the entire Appalachian Trail
• Complete 50 marathons in 50 different states

Step #4- Where do I want to go?

It’s important to visit places you’ve never been to before.You can learn a lot about yourself by traveling to a new location and doing stuff outside your comfort zone.On this section, you’ll jot down a list of the places that you would like to visit.

Here are some of mine (To be honest, this list is pretty long so I’ve compiled it into geographic locations):

• Visit every country in Europe
• Travel through all of Australia and New Zealand
• Go to parts of Asia, including Japan, China, The Philippines, Hong Kong, and Thailand
• Visit all of North America including every state and most of Canada
• Travel to selected spots in Africa and South America including, but not limited to: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya.

Step #5- What do I want to see?

This is a kind of “catch all” for the previous four sections of your bucket list.Here you’ll want to create memories that’ll last a lifetime.This could places you’ve visited or simple things that add a real significance to your existence.

Here are some of mine:

• See the Northern Lights in Norway (Widely considered to be the best country to see them.)
• Watch the Running of the Bulls in Spain
• Check out the inside of the Playboy Mansion (Hey, this is every straight guy’s dream)
• Watch the sunset in the Australian Outback
• See loving friends and family around my deathbed at the end of a long, fulfilling life

Conclusion

When I go back and re-read the lists in the various categories, at first I sound a little bit selfish and superficial, then I remember that these lists are supposed to be about my own wants.

In addition to wanting money and items and experiences for myself, I also wish for health, happiness, and success for those around me.

When you go to create your own bucket list it’s okay to be a little selfish.The goals you set for your life are the things that push you towards success.By creating a bucket list you allow your imagination to run wild and give yourself to seek the things you really want out of life.

Finally, part of having a bucket list is being able to start a new life.  You need to find a way to fund your dreams and take action on them.  That’s why I recommend reading this post which shows how you can start a new life.

Take Action. Get Results.