Bucket Lists, Goals, Resolutions, Oh My!

Tis the season for holiday parties, shopping, celebrations and so much more.  It is also the season when a lot of people evaluate life.  Are you a New Year's Resolution person?  Are you a One Word person?  Side note, my word for this coming year is action.  Maybe you are a goal setter.  

I have been pondering the question lately, "What is the difference between a goal, a resolution, and a 'bucket list' item?"  Here is what I came up with.  A goal is something that takes work, focus, and time to complete.  It is measurable so you know when you have completed the goal.  For example, one of my goals this year was to lose 20 lbs.  It was measurable so I knew when I was finished.  It took time, work, and focus.  I had to go out and learn new things, practice the new things, and wait for the results.  

Resolutions, on the other hand, are messy goals.  Resolutions are like those friends who say "Let's do lunch sometime." and then never call you to set something up.  They usually mean well and do not set out to let you down, but just don't seem to follow through.  Going off of my previous example, a resolution would be, "I am going to lose weight this year." or "I am going to eat healthier this year."  Healthier than what?  How much weight?  If I lose the same five pounds twice does that count?  They mean well, but they are just a mess.  Just like that lunch is probably not going to happen, neither is that resolution.  

I love "The Bucket List".  It is a great movie.  I really like the movie and I really like the concept of a bucket list.   Let me explain what a bucket list is before I go into how it compares to the other two.  A bucket list is simply a list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket.  The whole idea of a bucket list, and the theme of the movie, is to live your life on purpose.  Don't get stuck in the ruts of life and look up 80 years later and realize you did not do anything you wanted to do.  

How does that compare to things on your goal list?  Some would argue that they are one and the same.  I don't hate you if you fall into the camp. I was there for a long time.  I have found a slight difference that I think warrants separating them out.   A bucket list item is usually something you can go do if you just have the resources.  Items that are common on bucket lists are; jump out of a plane, traveling to certain destinations, try a certain type of food, or trying some new activity.  A goal, as we said earlier takes work, focus, and time to accomplish.  A goal often requires something of you.  A bucket list item can often be purchased.  

I think, because of that difference, it is worth separating them out.  It keeps the goal list cleaner, and that allows you to narrow your focus and get better results.  I have never been one to have a full-on bucket list.  However, I do identify fun things I want to do and write them down.  Moving them to post-it notes to my office window and out of my goals has allowed me to zero in more on my goals.  They are still in front of me and often serve as motivation to accomplish my goals.  

What has worked for you?  Do you agree with my descriptions of the three different categories?  Let me know in the comments and don't forget to share this with others.