by Jim Mcinvale

Created on: January 10, 2009   Last Updated: January 15, 2009

You already have it of course. No one is completely listless. We each have a list of things to do before the dark-hooded, sickle-wielding drill sergeant of life comes in with our orders and it's time to ship out. A friend tells you about his recent vacation and evokes a familiar fantasy. A book or magazine article sparks a memory and a lifelong ambition from the

bucket list flashes, briefly illuminating your imagination. Word of an unexpected death comes like a sucker punch to the gut. Stunned, you automatically compare ages (yours versus the deceased), take quick mental note of the list, but then hurry past any further thoughts of mortality.

Without a plan, you might actually end up doing a few things on your list, but only if fate presents the opportunity. If you ever hope to make a serious dent in it, you must do more. The first thing you have to do is to put it all down on paper. Carry or keep a journal and make a note whenever a spark flashes. Don't hold back. Jot down anything that lights the fire in your heart. After a month or two, you should have a list that looks something like this:

1. get scuba certified

2. climb Mount Rainer

3. write a novel

4. learn Mandarin

5. visit the Australian outback

6. learn to play the mandolin

7. run the Boston marathon

7. appear on American Idol

8. etc.

Next, expand the list to include three more columns. List practical obstacles in the first column, like your age, physical condition, or irreconcilable conflicts with family or job responsibilities. In the second column, list the resources required to accomplish the goal in terms of cost, time, and support from others. In the final column, state why you want to do it - why it is so important to you.

Now you are ready to pare down the list. A few items are obviously impossible and will be easy to scratch from the list. The remaining things are individually do-able, but can't be done all at once. Further, you won't have the time or money to accomplish all of them. It is time to rank and prioritize. Lay them out on a timeline in logical sequence, noting the time, expense, and conflicts associated with each. Armed with this knowledge of cost and conflicts, you can eliminate some and schedule others for a time in your life that is more opportune. As you are sorting and sifting, let the third column guide you. Decide what is most important.

Once you have a list of the things most important to you, things that you can actually do, and a occasion when you can do them, it is time to act. Start with the first item and build a plan. Enroll in a class, select a marathon training schedule, start saving - whatever it takes. Do a little something each day to turn your dream into reality, your fantasy into experience.

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