Hi,

A few of us were talking. The conversation took an interesting turn when Sarah (I’ve changed her name) started rattling off what she’s up to…

… Like how she’s working on a novel, grows her own vegetables, has taken up painting as a new hobby, got a new puppy, and has made a regular practice of yoga.

And as if that hadn’t impressed us enough, Sarah, gleaming ever so much, goes on… telling us how she’s also looking forward to going whale watching this Spring (if she can talk her best friend into coming along), one day becoming a midwife, riding in a hot air balloon, and on and on.

In an instant, I knew it was a good time for us to revisit what’s on our “bucket list.” And since there were a few new people in our group, I first explained what is a bucket list.

For the uninitiated, a bucket list is simply those things you want to do before you kick the bucket (actually this expression doesn’t especially do it for me, and if you’re not familiar with it, the term means “before you die”).

Anyway, getting back to where we were in our discussion… Most of us have all had the odd thing or two or three we want to do “some day” that we toss around in our heads every now and then. Some of us carry as many as ten or twelve around. You may have more, or you may have less.

That’s why the first time I asked everyone to do the following bucket list exercise you’re about to read, you can imagine why it was quite a challenge.

My instructions were simple – and by the way you can do this yourself if you like:

1) Pull out a few sheets of paper and a pen or pencil

2) Ask yourself: “If I was given less than one year left to live, what would I make sure to do?”

3) Make a list of 100 things you want to do before you kick the bucket. Not 10 items, not 20 goals, not even 50… we’re talking a list of a whopping 100 items.

If you sit down to do this, you’ll discover that writing a list of things you want to do before you die is a way to really examine your life.

Realistically you’ll need to give yourself a fair amount of time to do this. That’s why it will help to even give yourself a deadline of completing the first list.

And let me add this…

Your list doesn’t have to be perfect. Remember that just because you’ve made a list doesn’t mean it won’t change. In fact, the very opposite is true, especially because of step 4:

4) Start crossing items off your list – today!

It’s a fact – your list will change. You might add to the list or you may change your mind and drop a few things. And most satisfying of all, you will check things off your list when you’ve achieved them.

Now let me ask you, are you spending your time and money doing what you want to do, things you really care about? Are you going where you want to go? Are you experiencing the life you want to live? Are you seeing yourself become who you want to be?

Most people putt off their dreams for “some day” – but not those who go through with the exercise.

I wonder where you dream of traveling, what thrills do you seek, what experiences do you want, what are your goals? Maybe it’s places to see before you die, things to do before you die and books to read.

.. Just imagine where your list will take you.

There are two more important points worth mentioning:

First, remember this is your life. Choose what YOU want to do. And what I mean by that is avoid adding something to your list for the wrong reasons. Like to try and impress someone else, because you feel pushed into choosing it, because you think you should (yes, there’s that “should” word again) do it, or because you feel it’s expected of you.

Second, realize that the dreams on your list can be simple or can be a huge undertaking. They can cost a small fortune, or they can be free. And forget neglecting to add something because you don’t think you’ll ever be able to do it. Who knows if you won’t? So if you have the desire to do it, just put it right there on your list.

Okay, here are some categories to give you a few bucket list ideas and help you get started right now:

• Family
• Health/Fitness
• Money/Financial
• Relationships
• Romance
• Career/Professional
• Contribution/Volunteer
• Spiritual
• Home
• Sports
• Books
• Hobbies
• Travel
• Adventure
• Education
• New Skills
• Entertainment
• Celebrity
• Music
• Events
• Food

Just as I finished going through the list above, I thought of the old saying you may have heard time and again:

“No man ever said on his deathbed I wish I spent more time at the office.”
-Unknown

So let’s have a little fun… Share five items from your “bucket list” right here. When you commit them in writing, you are more likely to focus on doing these things.

If you’re one of the first 10 approved comments, you’ll get a peek at a little something I’m putting together that will boost your goal setting and goal getting abilities.

Here’s to making your life a grand adventure.

Ciao!

Taylor

Hi…

It’s time for the answer to this week’s quiz…

Judging by the response, I’d say most didn’t have time to comment, which is a bit in keeping with the quiz and could be good or bad news depending on how you look at it.

Now, for the answer…

Or at least let’s head in that direction…

The answer to the question I posed (“What’s the key intrinsic reason why we do what we do instead of what we know we should do in support of our goals?”) also has a lot to do with why we do something vs. why we don’t.

Ask yourself why you do something to inch closer to a goal.

Maybe you want something. Maybe it’s material. Perhaps it’s a state. Maybe you desire it so badly you can taste it. Or maybe you don’t.

That’s a clue.

Here’s another one…

All across town, crowds of customers lined up hoping to get their hands on the new iPhone 3GS.

Which reminds me of a chilly night back in college. It was the first time I’d ever camped out to get concert tickets. Darn cold actually. But we were a big group of friends, we came prepared, we had a tent, food, beverages-you know how it is in college-and we stuck it out together… because it was worth it.

But you want to know the big reason why? Because my girlfriend wanted tickets.

Same with the iPhone fans. See, even though some stores wouldn’t open till 10 AM, Apple devotees were willing to get in line at the crack of dawn.

… Because they wanted to be one of the first to have the latest and greatest. Or maybe their reason why is because they wanted to get it as a gift for someone else.

Okay, so back to my example of the two random people who both have a goal of losing the same amount of weight.

One goes to the gym three times a week. And through persistent action and consistent effort, ultimately loses the weight. The other complains about not having enough time and remains overweight.

Here’s the reason why the second person doesn’t pull the trigger on losing weight…

Their bugaboo is “motivation.” Motivation, that combination of feeling, decision, and commitment.

That is the answer to the quiz: motivation.

Things get done in this world because we are motivated to do them. (Write that down and stick it to your wall.) And things don’t get done when we don’t have enough motivation.

There, the cat’s out of the bag.

It’s not glamorous.

Nevertheless, it’s the most critical driver for personal and business success.

Not getting the results you want? Check your motivation.

It’s not voodoo.

Setting and expecting to achieve goals without having the right motivation, IS relying on voodoo.

Because if you are not motivated enough, it is highly unlikely you’re going to do what’s necessary to achieve your goal.

I’ve lost count of how many goals of mine have fallen off the radar because I wasn’t motivated enough. I’m probably better off too for it too.

I’m guessing you can relate to this, can’t you, that to take action you need to be motivated? Even if it’s just to get the silly thing done?

My fingers are getting tired, so let me think how do I say this best again… Things are worthwhile when we have worthwhile goals.

And when things are worth doing, you’re motivated to do them.

The flip side of this is, you’re not really going to do something if you don’t think it’s worthwhile…

…In other words, you are not going to go after your goals if you’re not motivated …if you don’t have a BIG ENOUGH REASON WHY.

Okay, I’ve rambled on enough.

Now, about the prize, even though you didn’t offer the answer, I’m feeling compelled to give TWO prizes.

One for the answer that at least is on the right wavelength… which gives us a taste of the effects of fear.

And the other for shedding some light on the workings of our mind.

So, the winners:

Carolyn, the second response.

And Zana, the first response.

Both of you get access to my Personal Renaissance group coaching and mentoring program. You’ll be contacted assuming you left your correct email address in your profile when you posted your comment.

Again, you get credit for giving this some thought and taking action.

Everyone else who read about the quiz and MISSED giving a response, I wonder if you can answer next time.

Well, that’s it for today.

We’ll have to do another quiz here soon.

Ciao!

Taylor

P.S. If you are a doer, want to be a doer, want to lead a truly extraordinary life, to enhance and enrich your lifestyle, to influence the world and leave a legacy, join me for your Personal Renaissance.

Following directions is easy, right? …Then why don’t we? This video tells all.

Ciao!

Taylor