This time of year we’re all thinking about goals and accomplishments.
So it only makes sense to also think back not only on the past year, but also to project forward and think about the things you really want to do in your life.
You may already know it, but I’m a big fan of bucket lists. I think that if we really spend the time to think about what we want to achieve, it’s much more likely to happen – and in fact, research supports that!
So, what do you want to do in your life? What are the most important things to you?
If you haven’t read it already, you may be interested to read my post “How to Write a Bucket List that Kicks Butt-ket” which outlines how to write the traditional Adventure bucket list – all the things you want to do and experience in your life, as well as what I call the Authentic list, which is about how you can live like you’re dying.
But, I thought it would be fun and would get you started to give you a list of 100 things to do before you die.
I think the great thing about this list is that most of the items will apply to most people. For those that don’t apply to you, see if you can find something that is similar in tone that you can substitute for your list idea. They’re interesting enough for you to want to put them on your list, but also generic enough for everyone to like them.
Here goes!
100 Things to do Before You Die
1.Forgive someone who you need to forgive.
2.Walk in a field of sunflowers.
3. Raise more than $1000 toward a charitable cause of your choice.
4. Touch your toes in each of the Seven Seas.
5. Accomplish something that took you more than six months to do.
6. Do something for someone else and feel moved to tears because of it.
7. Eat enough green leafy vegetables on a daily basis. (For real).
8. Learn to get in touch with your anger and how to let it go.
9. See great works of art.
10. Be a good friend to someone.
11. Buy something you really want that’s ridiculously expensive.
12. Take bubble baths. (Guys too!)
13. Give yourself permission to do something you really want to do, but think you can’t.
14. Do things that fill you with a sense of wonder and awe.
15. Accomplish something that took you more than one year to do.
16. Teach others something that you’re an expert at.
17. Get control over a fear that is holding you back.
18. Thank the people who have helped you in the past.
19. Give great gifts. They don’t have to be expensive. Just thoughtful.
20. Surround yourself with good friends.
21. Use eye contact with people.
22. Go to therapy and really do the work.
23. Participate in a flash mob.
24. Decide to become more confident and likable.
25. Do random acts of kindness.
26. Forgive yourself.
27. Make a list of the 100 books you want to read in your life and read them.
28. Sing karaoke.
29. Make your living space beautiful.
30. Ask people you’ve just met interesting questions about themselves and really listen to their answers.
31. Be braver in social experiences, at work and in relationships.
32. Learn a new language.
33. Have a transformative group experience. Take a life changing class, walk across hot coals, drum – do something that bonds you with your group.
34. Travel to your top 10 destinations.
35. Win an award or honor.
36. People watch from a sidewalk cafe.
37. Take photos to remember things from, and look at them regularly.
38. Set some stretch goals for your life and work towards them.
39. Help a random stranger who needs it.
40. Travel to a world festival.
41. Read the top 50 personal development books.
42. Quit your job and start work you love.
43. Eat at a world-class restaurant.
44. Journal daily.
45. Learn all you can about a topic that fascinates you.
46. Identify something that makes you feel bad about yourself and improve it.
47. Take a submarine tour.
48. Take a one month vacation.
49. Start your own business.
50. Visit the U.S. National Parks.
51. Do something that takes you 5 years to accomplish.
52. Go on an animal adventure – cage dive, safari, whale watch, something that reminds you that we’re not alone on this planet.
53. Watch sunrises and sunsets.
54. Learn to meditate.
55. Stop procrastinating.
56. Hang artwork in your home.
57. Tell people you love them.
58. Finish this sentence: “It would be amazing to ____.” Then do it.
59. Sit by a campfire.
60. Follow through with your big idea.
61. Pay off your credit card debt.
62. Make fun a priority.
63. Enjoy the ocean.
64. Learn to speed read.
65. Take on a hard personal challenge you’re not sure you can accomplish, and relish your toughness as you attempt it.
66. Go on an outdoor adventure of your choice – mountain climbing, camping, skydiving, you choose!
67. Take voice lessons or learn an instrument.
68. Become a hugger.
69. Donate your hair or shave your head for a good cause.
70. Find and live your passions.
71. Watch shooting stars.
72. Meet someone famous (someone that leaves you starstruck).
73. Build your dream home.
74. Eat a meal at one of the top restaurants in the world.
75. Enter a competition for your favorite hobby.
76. Answer a big question you always wonder about – do your own research, take your own journey, do your own interviews, discover.
77. Really listen to others.
78. Learn how to say no.
79. Throw a surprise party.
80. Live in a new country for a year.
81. Do something that brings out the kid in you.
82. Take a trip to New York City.
83. Make amends for something you regret in the best way you can.
84. Sing in the shower.
85. Stay on a tiny tropical island.
86. Do something it takes you 10 years to accomplish.
87. Visit your top 20 interesting historical sites.
88. Smile more.
89. Give away ten dollars a day for one year to someone who really needs it.
90. Read a book while sitting by a lake.
91. Go on a road trip with no set destination.
92. Watch inspiring TedX videos.
93. Volunteer for a cause you care about.
94. Make the choices that are right for you even if they really scare you.
95. Let go of shame.
96. Laugh out loud with friends so hard it hurts. Often.
97. Have an all-day movie marathon.
98. Every day, write something that happens that you’re thankful for on a scrap of paper and save it in a jar. Read them all at the end of every year. Save the highlights in a journal. Keep the journal for others to read too.
99. Help a friend with something big in their life.
100. Be nicer to yourself (nicer doesn’t always mean being easier on yourself!)
So there it is – 100 things you can do before you die. Many of those things apply to you, I’m sure. I’m really interested to hear from you! Tell me, which ones stood out to you the most? Which ones didn’t work for you? And what do you have to add to the list? Let me know in the comments! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.