I sat down to write my blog post this month to talk about Creating the 2025 You Want. I believe in big dreams, I believe in taking chances and I believe you can design – and live – the life, career, business you want. As I searched up what people are talking about in this area, the phrase “Bucket List” kept coming up, over and over. People aren’t searching for “intention-setting” (snoozefest!) goal-setting (Ok, maybe – for you corporate peeps getting ready for performance reviews). People want the BIG dream. The “100 places you need to visit before you die” content. The “I will die happy when I have____”
But this is more than ticking items off your “bucket list.”
What is a Bucket List?
The term “bucket list” was coined in the movie called “The Bucket List” starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. These two men, who both had terminal illnesses, created a list of adventures to complete before they “kicked the bucket.” Morbid? A little. Fun? That too! The feeling of freedom, no responsibility for the long-term future, and embracing the joy of life’s list moments is inspiring.
But we’re not planning to die tomorrow – we have a whole life to live. How many of you have things “on your list” that you think you’d like to do “Someday?”
I call it your Someday List. Allowing yourself to dream of what might be possible if…. When….and in the future. Not to create discontent in your current state, but to reserve room for a continued life of possibility where you can make possibility a reality – if you want. (And if you’re still reading, I’m guessing you’re curious.)
What are the most common things people have on their bucket lists?
According to multiple surveys, an overwhelming majority of Americans (90-95%) have bucket list goals. The most common themes across bucket lists include:
– Desire to travel (78.5%)
– Accomplishing personal goals (78.3%)
– Achieving life milestones (51%)
– Spending time with friends and family (16.7%)
– Achieving financial stability (16.1%)
Bucket Lists and Intentional Living
At its core, a bucket list is about intentional living, living a life on purpose – with purpose. Creating a Bucket – or Someday – List invites you to dream a little past the daily living and move from surviving to thriving. With the action of writing down your aspirations, you’re making a commitment to yourself and taking the first step toward turning someday dreams into a plan.
5 Steps to Start Your Bucket List
Creating a bucket list can feel overwhelming at first. Here are a few steps to help you get started:
1. Reflect on Your Values: Begin by asking yourself what brings you joy and fulfillment. Think about the experiences, relationships, and accomplishments that align with your core values.
2. Dream Big and Small: Don’t limit yourself to really big ideas like climbing Mount Everest or writing a bestseller. Include smaller, more attainable goals, such as learning to cook a new dish every month or reading a certain number of books in a year.
3. Be Specific: Instead of vague statements like “travel more,” list specific destinations or activities, such as “see the Northern Lights in Iceland” or “hike the Appalachian Trail.”
4. Categorize Your List: Break your list into categories such as travel, personal growth, relationships, career, and hobbies. This makes it easier to focus on different aspects of your life.
5. Set Deadlines: Assign a timeline to each item. While some goals might be lifelong ambitions, others can be achieved within months or years. Deadlines help create a sense of urgency and accountability.
Bring your Bucket List to Life
Ok, now it’s time for those pesky saboteurs, as we call them in coaching. The things that get in the way of making your dream items happen. Fear, time, and money are common barriers that keep people from pursuing their bucket list goals. 
What’s something small you can do to get started? What’s something that requires minimal resources? For example, making a point of walking your dog in a different part of town, or putting the family holiday in the calendar – today – so you can start saving and planning for it, can go a long way towards turning those dreams into a plan.
Living Your List
A Bucket List – or Someday list – doesn’t have to just be a list. It can be a way of living – if not now, when? You might ask yourself. Pulling your list out regularly – particularly at the start of a year – to keep those dreams alive will go a long way to making them happen. Remember, the ultimate goal isn’t merely to complete the list but to create a life filled with purpose and joy.
Want to get started? Download my template for creating your own Someday List.
And then, if you’re ready to get super clear on what you want to create for 2025, here’s a copy of the intention-setting document I have my clients do every January.
Let’s turn your Bucket List into a plan – and watch your life satisfaction scores increase.
To your success,
Susan Elford is a Leadership Coach and Business Mentor who especially loves to work with women who want it all: a fulfilling career or business while living a full and satisfying life. Through powerful career coaching and business mentorship to get their career or business to the next level, Susan helps her clients get real about their strengths and celebrate and promote them so they get more of what they want: success at work; success in business & success in life.
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