How to make a bucket list: 19 questions to ask yourself

I've got over 300 things on my bucket list. Writing it down was one of the best things I ever did, because it turns "one day" into a plan.

The hard part is starting. Staring at a blank page asking "what do I want to do with my life?" gets you nowhere. Questions work better. Grab a pen (or your phone), go through these 19 and write down whatever comes into your head. Don't filter it. Silly, expensive and scary all go on the list.

Places

Where in the world would you like to visit?
What types of new food do you want to try?
What cultural traditions are you interested in seeing for yourself?
What events do you want to go to?
Is there somewhere you've always wanted to take your best friend, your partner or your parents?

Doing things

Are there any activities or sports you want to try?
What classes have you always thought about taking?
What skills have you wanted to learn?
In what ways do you want to improve yourself, physically or mentally?
Is there a charity you've always wanted to support?
Who have you always wanted to meet?
What would you like to do with family and friends?

The big ones

What has always been your biggest dream?
What was your childhood dream? Is it still relevant today?
If money and fear weren't an issue, what would you do?
If you won the lottery today, what would you do first?
If you had three wishes, what would they be?
If you had a month left to live, what would you do?
If you were on your deathbed, what would you regret not doing?

Now sort it out

You'll end up with a messy list. That's fine. Go through it and make each one something you can actually tick off. "Travel more" can't be ticked off. "See the Northern Lights" can.

Then mix it up. A few big ones that need saving for, a few you could do this year, and a couple you could do this month. Ticking off the small ones keeps you going while you save for the big ones.

TOP TIP: Put a rough date next to the first few. A list with dates on it is a plan.

Keep track of it

You can build your own bucket list on this site for free. Pick goals from mine, add your own, and tick them off as you go. Or grab my free bucket list starter kit if you'd rather use a spreadsheet.

If you're short of ideas, have a nose through my bucket list. Steal whatever you like.

Then pick one and book it.