When you get by achieving goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.
About ten years ago, a casual conversation with a stranger changed my life, We were taking a one-day course together, and during the lunch break, five of us started talking about things that help us get organized. That’s when a young woman told us about something she and her friends do every year. They get together and pick 100 things they want to accomplish in the next year.
That number sounded daunting to the rest of us. We all looked a little skeptical, so she explained that the “goals” could be something as simple as eating a jawbreaker. She told us how they all remembered liking that hard candy when they were kids, so they decided to try it again. Her review : “They weren’t as good as we remembered, so no one actually finished theirs. But they’re well named because they really do hurt your jaw!”
So, while I’ve never had a desire to eat a jawbreaker, her idea resonated with me, and I decided to give the list a try. It took me a few days, but I came up with twenty-five things I wanted to accomplish.
Here’s a sample from the original list:
- Cook a dish I’ve never made before.
- Try a food I’ve never eaten before.
- Go somewhere I’ve never been.
- Dance.
- Go to a play or concert.
- Visit a museum or art gallery.
- Take a class.
- Do something good for someone else.
- Volunteer for something you believe in.
Over the years, my annual list has expanded to include 100 things, and the best ones are repeated every year. I go over the list every few weeks and check off the things I’ve accomplished. Those updates also help me to focus on the next challenge I’m going to tackle.
I can say honestly that because of a chance conversation with a total stranger, I’ve now been to Europe; learned to kayak; and rode Zero Gravity.
Other things I’ve checked off my list include spending a day at the Prado Museum in Madrid, joining friends to cook at Ronald McDonald House for their Meals that Mend program, and planning a multi-generation family vacation.
And, in case that sounds overwhelming, I purposely pick up a few simple things, I purposely pick a few simple things such as reading a classic novel.
I’ve shared this idea with others who are not creating their own annual bucket lists. It’s surprising what you can accomplishing if you set your mind to it — and actually write it down. Oh, and developing my list is always the first item I check off — because it feels good to start the year with a “win.”
