In the first month of a new year, we become aware of the passing of time. We make resolutions. We promise ourselves that we'll get in shape or learn a new language. Before we know it, New Year's Eve is upon us once again. We make new resolutions (or renew our old, unfinished ones). The cycle continues until a decade passes in the blink of an eye. Our reliance on the new year as a measure of success leaves us with too little time to accomplish our goals.
We need to think big. We need to set life goals. We need to make a Life List.
A Life List is more concrete than dreams, more grandiose than the daily to-do list (see the movie "The Bucket List" or MTV's new series "The Buried Life"). A Life List includes five, ten, a hundred, or however many things you want to do before you die; the experiences you wish to have in a lifetime; a handful of actions (however small or large) that will mean something to you when you look back on your life.
But how, you might ask, do you go about making and doing your Life List? The items on the list are as varied and unique as each person who hopes to achieve them. You will need to find time for some intense introspection (that scares us all a little bit), and time to work toward the goals you set for yourself. Have a sense of humor about it (I’m sure there’s something funny or embarrassing that you’ll want to put on your list). Be creative. Have fun!
The following steps will get you started:
STEP 1: Put It In Writing. The most important step to take when making your own Life List is to write it down. Something about the act of writing makes your mind take note that what you've written is important and worth remembering. I recommend actually handwriting your list on paper instead of using a computer. You'll probably outlive whatever word processing and backup method you use right now.
STEP 2: Ask The Basic Questions. While creating your Life List, ask yourself: Who? What? Where? The "Who" may be people you would like to help, people with whom you want to spend more time, or people you admire whose lives inspire an item on your list. The "What" may be things you want to do, learn, have, be. The "Where" could be places you want to visit or live. When you set out to achieve an item on your list, ask yourself: When? How? The "When" includes a time frame (in months or years), a specific deadline, or a certain date (depending on the item). The "How" includes preparation to achieve each item and the cost involved – both money and time.
STEP 3: Check Off and Add On. A Life List is an open-ended work in progress. Just as you never know when your life may end, you never know when your Life List is complete. You may add to it for as long as you live. But don't forget to check off each item as you accomplish it. That's the best part!
Enjoy the process and remember that it may take you a lifetime to check the last item off of your Life List.
Which item on your Life List do you think will be the most difficult (or daring) to accomplish?
We need to think big. We need to set life goals. We need to make a Life List.
A Life List is more concrete than dreams, more grandiose than the daily to-do list (see the movie "The Bucket List" or MTV's new series "The Buried Life"). A Life List includes five, ten, a hundred, or however many things you want to do before you die; the experiences you wish to have in a lifetime; a handful of actions (however small or large) that will mean something to you when you look back on your life.
But how, you might ask, do you go about making and doing your Life List? The items on the list are as varied and unique as each person who hopes to achieve them. You will need to find time for some intense introspection (that scares us all a little bit), and time to work toward the goals you set for yourself. Have a sense of humor about it (I’m sure there’s something funny or embarrassing that you’ll want to put on your list). Be creative. Have fun!
The following steps will get you started:
STEP 1: Put It In Writing. The most important step to take when making your own Life List is to write it down. Something about the act of writing makes your mind take note that what you've written is important and worth remembering. I recommend actually handwriting your list on paper instead of using a computer. You'll probably outlive whatever word processing and backup method you use right now.
STEP 2: Ask The Basic Questions. While creating your Life List, ask yourself: Who? What? Where? The "Who" may be people you would like to help, people with whom you want to spend more time, or people you admire whose lives inspire an item on your list. The "What" may be things you want to do, learn, have, be. The "Where" could be places you want to visit or live. When you set out to achieve an item on your list, ask yourself: When? How? The "When" includes a time frame (in months or years), a specific deadline, or a certain date (depending on the item). The "How" includes preparation to achieve each item and the cost involved – both money and time.
STEP 3: Check Off and Add On. A Life List is an open-ended work in progress. Just as you never know when your life may end, you never know when your Life List is complete. You may add to it for as long as you live. But don't forget to check off each item as you accomplish it. That's the best part!
Enjoy the process and remember that it may take you a lifetime to check the last item off of your Life List.
Which item on your Life List do you think will be the most difficult (or daring) to accomplish?
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2 comments:
What time to you go to bed i wonder? Sleep is bliss in our household? Hee hee Gray
I usually go to bed around 1:30 a.m. -- I've always been a night owl. Lucky for me, Taylor is still on a late to bed, late to rise schedule bcs she doesn't attend a morning school. I can go to bed late and still get 7-8 hours of sleep most nights! Yay!
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