Bucket List Meaning: What’s the Definition? 

The meaning of Bucket List:Eat croissants in Paris, snack on bugs, learn to cook Greek food, see the Northern Lights, ride a mechanical bull or bungee jump? Most of us have goals and aspirations, things we have always dreamed of doing or hope we could experience in our lifetimes. Therefore, many of us already have a mental bucket list.

What does Bucket mean?

Definition of Bucket from Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Meaning of Bucket. Pronunciation of Bucket. Translations of Bucket. Buckley definition of Bucket. Buckley pronunciation of Bucket.. You can find another words similar to Bucket at synonyms dictionary. Click on the link below for all definitions available.

Bucket List Meaning

The term “bucket list” was coined by American author David Schwartz who wrote about his own personal experiences with life-long dreams in an article for Psychology Today magazine back in 2007. He described how he had been dreaming since childhood of visiting all 50 states before turning 30 years old. In fact, when he turned 29, he decided that this dream would be possible if he visited every state at least once during his lifetime.

Definition from Dictionary.com:

A written record of one’s wishes for future activities; “the will was read at his funeral”; “he had made out a long-range plan for himself”; “a bucket list of all he wanted to do before he died”

Bucket List Origin

• The origin of this term comes from an American English expression used by people who are about to die. It was first popularized by author John Grisham in his book “A Time To Kill”. In the novel, he describes how a terminally ill man named Robert McCall has written down all the things he wants to achieve before dying. He calls them his bucket list.

What is the value of a bucket list?

It’s important to make sure you are living your life with purpose and meaning. It can be difficult to find something meaningful when we’re young because our lives seem so short compared to what will happen later in life. But as time goes on, it becomes more clear how much there is left to do. The idea behind a bucket list is to live each day fully while making memories along the way.

How long should I keep my bucket list?

You don’t need to write everything down right away. Start small and build up over time. For example, maybe start writing down some ideas now but only add items to your list after you’ve done those things. This gives you room to grow without feeling overwhelmed. If you want to get started today, here are 10 ways to create a bucket list.

Why do I need a bucket list?

There are several reasons why having a bucket list makes sense. First, it helps you stay focused on what matters most. When you know where you want to go, you’ll avoid wasting energy on unnecessary distractions. Second, it keeps you motivated. By setting specific goals, you feel like you’re accomplishing something even though you may not yet have reached them. Third, it allows you to enjoy yourself throughout your journey. Finally, it provides inspiration for new adventures.

 What Goes on a Bucket List?

A bucket list can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. Some people may only include one goal while others will add several items to their bucket lists. However, if you are looking at creating an extensive bucket list then here are some ideas to consider:

• Traveling – This includes visiting new places around the world, seeing historical landmarks, learning about other cultures, etc.
• Family – Include family members such as parents, children, siblings, grandparents, cousins, nieces/

nephews, uncles/aunts, nephews/nieces, brothers/ sisters, stepchildren, grandchildren, great grandchild, etc.

• Hobbies – These might include sports like golf, tennis, swimming, hiking, biking, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, fishing, hunting, camping, boating, sailing, surfing, horseback riding, archery, bowling, darts, billiards, dancing, cooking, gardening, photography, painting, drawing, woodworking, sewing, knitting, quilting, scrapbooking, reading, writing, volunteering, working with animals, playing musical instruments, singing, acting, modeling, dancing, etc.
• Education – Learn something new everyday! Whether its taking classes, going to school, studying abroad, attending college, getting your GED, becoming certified, completing training programs, joining clubs, participating in workshops, seminars, conferences, conventions, etc.
• Health & Fitness – Do more than just exercise but also eat healthy and get enough sleep. Also, make sure to take care of yourself emotionally so that you don’t become sicker.
• Spirituality – Find ways to connect spiritually with God, nature, self, loved ones, friends, pets, community, etc.
• Personal Growth – Make time each day to learn something new whether it be through books, courses, online resources, mentors, coaches, teachers, etc.
• Relationships – Spend quality time with those closest to you including spouses, partners, kids, , relatives, neighbors, co workers, bosses, colleagues, friends, and even strangers.
• Career Development – If you have ever thought about what career path you’d like to pursue, now’s the time to start thinking about it seriously. Start researching different careers and find out which one interests you most. You could also look into starting up your own business.
• Financial Security – Create goals related to money management such as saving for retirement, paying off debt, investing wisely, building wealth, etc

Don’t Like the Term Bucket List?

The term bucket list has become popular recently, but I don’t like it because it implies that you need to do something before you die. Instead, I prefer to use the term “to do” list, which means that you should focus on what you want to accomplish during your lifetime.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Life List
• Dream List
• Life’s Aspiration List
• My Lifetime Goals
• Things to Achieve in My Lifetime
• My Life’s To Do
• Meaningful Life Goals
• Things to Conquer
• Amazing Experiences To Be Had
• The Life Plan
• My Life’s Must Dos

 How Long Should Your Bucket List Be?

This question comes up often. There really isn’t any hard and fast rule about how long your bucket list needs to be. Some people feel they need to include everything while others only want to focus on their top 10. Personally, I believe every person should create his/her own bucket list based upon their unique desires and interests. However, here are some general guidelines:

• Don’t try to cram all your aspirations into one year. It will overwhelm you. Instead, set a goal of accomplishing 5-10 items per month or at least once a week.

• Keep things simple by limiting your list to 3-5 items.

• Try not to put too many “must do” items on your list because if you miss them then you’ll regret it later.

• Remember that there is no right way to complete your bucket list. The important thing is that you’re doing it. If you would like to read other articles from our blog series on creating your personal bucket lis.