Clean up your lifetime to do list

During our lifetime we accumulate an assortment of lifetime to do items. These can be anything that you planned on getting around to someday but somehow it just never happened. When planning your retirement these items can form a starting point in your planning.

 

If not now, when?

We all hope for a long and healthy retirement. However, nothing is certain so why not deal with those life leftovers now. Circumstances change and what is possible now might not be possible in a few years. Health can change. People can move away or even pass away. Our mental sharpness can change. The point is we need to take advantage of the time, health and abilities we have while we still have them.

Make a list

The first step is simply to make a list. This list might be confused with a “bucket list,” but I see them differently. There will be common items of course but I see a bucket list as more of an ideal “dream” list than a lifetime to do list.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

People – Anybody you lost contact with where you would like to reconnect? Any phone calls you would like to make? Anything unsaid?

Places – Places to visit, places to possibly move to? Places to simply learn more about.

Adventures – Things to try, experiences to have

Hobbies – Everybody has hobbies they would like to try.

Things to learn – Learn a new language. Learn to paint. Now is the time to try.

Anything Undone – Any miscellaneous thing you can think of.

Review and Prioritize

Ask “Is it still important?”

Sometimes things that we thought were very important 20 years ago aren’t so important now. And sometimes it is the other way around. So take a good long look at your list and make the tough decisions.

If not important let it go

It is important to let go of the things that aren’t so important anymore. Maybe being a rock star was the most important thing at 20 years of age. But now you are quite content to listen to music or go to a concert.

Maybe some things are more important

Maybe you meant to say something or lend a word of encouragement. Do it now, ahead of other things on your list. You never know if you will get another chance.

If the complete thing isn’t possible, is a part of it possible?

Not everything on your list will be completely possible. Maybe you were determined to climb Mount Everest. While some have done it at a pretty old age and I certainly don’t want to be one to discourage you, that particular dream might not be practical. However you can still try to get into shape and hike up a more modest mountain!

Maybe you wanted to be a billionaire! Again I don’t want to discourage you but maybe a more practical and enjoyable pursuit might be starting a part time business that you really enjoy. Or maybe you can offer to help a young entrepreneur by volunteering to help him with some aspect of their dream or even with some words of encouragement. And you might even get a feeling of accomplishment that is almost as good as being wealthy.

Maybe make a new list

After your review, additions and deletions from your list it might be time to admire your new really relevant list. And now, and I mean today, start working that list! You’ll be glad you did.