One of the last components of the Freedom Day Method (™) I discovered was the bucket list. I had always heard about Bucket Lists but had viewed them as something people did later in life (before they kicked the bucket). In fact, before 2007, very few people had even heard of the term. Of course, this was the year that Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman starred in the movie of the same name. 

For me, Bucket Lists came into my life in June of 2022 when my business partner approached me about buying half of my former financial practice. This was an existential crisis for me. What was I going to do? I was 54, too young to retire. What was I going to do for the rest of my life? 

I had been invited to a conference in California. When I checked in, I was given a Bucket List Journal. Since I had a week in a beautiful place by myself, I created my first bucket list. My list included 100 things from travel I wanted to do to something I wanted to accomplish, financial goals, and relationships I wanted to build on. Putting things out to the universe like this can have excellent results. In my case, I would find out right away.

Number 23 on my first Bucket List was "To Have a private concert with The Eagles," my favorite band. I knew there was no chance of this happening, but I put it out there. The last night of the conference was marked by an event called Sense. This event was held in the beautiful garden area of the Ojai Valley Inn's "Farmhouse." Sense brought all your senses together, taste (fantastic food), sight (beautiful location), smell (inside the gardens), and sound (a couple of bands). The evening was wonderful and capped by a private concert with Don Felder of THE EAGLES! What? You heard it right. The first thing I checked off my Bucket List was one of the things that I never thought would happen. 

The power I saw in my own life was my aha moment. I interviewed Roger Williams of the Crosser Offer podcast on my Freedom Nation Podcast a few months later. Roger had just written his book, Live Out Your List, which became the instruction sheet for living a Bucket List for me. At this point, I started to see how a Bucket List could keep people focused and rewarded toward someone's Freedom Day. 



Creating a bucket list is a powerful way to identify the goals, dreams, and experiences you want to achieve in your lifetime. By prioritizing these aspirations, you can focus on what truly matters to you and live a more fulfilling life. In this article, we'll discuss the importance of having a bucket list, how to create one, and the benefits of prioritizing short-term goals within the next six months.

The Importance of a Bucket List

A bucket list is a compilation of experiences, goals, and dreams you want to achieve. Having a bucket list can provide several benefits:

a) Clarity: Writing down your aspirations can help you clarify what is truly important to you and what you want to accomplish.

b) Motivation: A bucket list can serve as a source of motivation and inspiration, pushing you to take action and work towards achieving your goals.

c) Perspective: Creating a bucket list can help you maintain a long-term perspective on your life, reminding you to focus on what truly matters and not get caught up in the daily grind.

d) Personal growth: Pursuing the experiences and goals on your bucket list can lead to personal growth as you learn new skills, overcome challenges, and step outside your comfort zone.

How to Create a Bucket List

Creating a bucket list is a personal and unique process. Here are some steps to help you get started:

a) Reflect: Reflect on your values, passions, and interests. Consider what experiences, goals, and dreams align with these core aspects of your life.

b) Brainstorm: List everything you've ever wanted to do, see, learn, or achieve. This can include travel destinations, career goals, personal milestones, or new skills you'd like to learn.

c) Prioritize: Review your list and prioritize items based on their importance to you. Consider which goals or experiences will significantly impact your life and bring you the most fulfillment.

d) Set realistic timelines: Assign a timeline to each item on your bucket list, considering short-term and long-term goals. This will help you stay focused and create a sense of urgency to achieve your aspirations.

e) Purpose: One of the things I learned from Roger Williams was that your bucket list should have an underlying theme or purpose. In his case it was to build community, in my case it is to live intentionally.

Prioritizing Short-Term Goals Within the Next Six Months

Once you've created your bucket list, it's crucial to prioritize 3-4 items that you'd like to accomplish within the next six months. Here's why:

a) Maintain momentum: Focusing on short-term goals can help you maintain momentum and motivation, as you'll see tangible progress toward your aspirations.

b) Build confidence: Achieving short-term goals can boost your confidence and self-esteem, making it easier to tackle more significant challenges and long-term goals.

c) Foster work-life balance: Prioritizing short-term bucket list items can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, ensuring you make time for personal growth and fulfillment amidst your daily responsibilities.

d) Adapt and reassess: By focusing on short-term goals, you can adapt and reassess your priorities as your interests, circumstances, and life goals change over time.

Tips for Achieving Your Short-Term Bucket List Goals

Here are some tips to help you achieve your short-term bucket list goals within the next six months:

a) Break it down: Break each goal into smaller, manageable steps or milestones. This will make the goal more achievable and help you track your progress.

b) Create a plan: Develop a detailed plan of action for each goal, including deadlines, resources, and necessary steps to accomplish your objective.

c) Stay accountable: Share your short-term bucket list goals with friends, family, or a supportive community. This can help you stay accountable and receive encouragement along the way.

d) Make time: Schedule dedicated time each week to work on your short-term goals. Treat this time as a non-negotiable commitment, just like any other necessary appointment or task.

e) Celebrate progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This can help you maintain motivation and remind you of your progress. In the Freedom Day world we call these Micro-Rewards (tm).

Integrating Your Bucket List into Your Daily Life

Integrating it into your daily life is essential to make the most of your bucket list. Here are some ways to do this:

a) Review regularly: Make it a habit to review your bucket list regularly, such as monthly or quarterly. This will help you stay focused on your goals and remind you of your priorities.

b) Set reminders: Use calendar reminders or mobile apps to keep your short-term goals top of mind. This can help you stay on track and ensure that you allocate time to work on your bucket list items.

c) Seek opportunities: Look for opportunities to progress on your bucket list goals in your everyday life. This can include attending local events, joining clubs, or enrolling in courses related to your interests.

d) Be flexible: Understand that your priorities and interests may change. Be open to adapting your bucket list as needed. Feel free to remove items that no longer resonate with you.

e) Bucket List Stack: Combining a business trip or vacation with some Bucket List items can create some amazing memories.

Inspiring Bucket List Ideas

If you're looking for inspiration to create your bucket list, consider these ideas:

a) Travel: Visit a specific destination, explore a new country, or complete a long-distance hike.

b) Personal growth: Learn a new language, master a musical instrument, or read several books.

c) Career: Achieve a professional certification, start a business, or reach a specific job title.

d) Fitness and health: Complete a marathon, lose a specific amount of weight, or adopt a healthier lifestyle.

e) Relationships: Strengthen your bond with family and friends, find a romantic partner, or participate in a community project.

f) Adventure: Try skydiving, scuba diving, or climbing a mountain.

Conclusion:

Creating a bucket list and prioritizing short-term goals can help you live a more fulfilling life and maintain a healthy work-life balance. By focusing on what truly matters to you and taking actionable steps to achieve your goals, you can experience personal growth and make lasting memories. Start creating your bucket list today and embrace the excitement and joy of pursuing your dreams.

Jeff Kikel is the President of Freedom Day Wealth Management and the Creator of the Freedom Day Method (tm). Jeff is the author of 6 books on Personal Finance, Identity Theft, Entrepreneurship, and Exit Planning. He is the host of the Freedom Nation Podcast (www.freedomnationpodcast.com) and  Co- Host of The Cents of Things Podcast (www.thecentsofthings.com). Jeff is also the author of the upcoming book Freedom Day: Quit the Job You Hate, Live the Life You Love. In his free time, Jeff and his wife Crystal are living out their Bucket Lists.