Lots of us create bucket lists for a month, season, year, or life. I’m sure you’ve seen the super cute seasonal bucket lists on Pinterest or Instagram with activities ranging from apple picking to binge watching Gilmore Girls. The question is, how many times have you pinned it, shared it, perhaps even saved it with every intention of achieving those plans only to forget and poof, before you know it the season is over and you’ve done none of them?
Here are 5 ways to actually achieve those plans this year.
Write them down.
You’ve probably heard this before but writing down your goals will help you achieve them. “Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University in California, did a study on goal setting with 267 participants. She found that you are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals just by writing them down.” (5 Reasons Why You Should Commit Your Goals to Writing)
It’s also a great way to clear your head and not forget things. Sometimes seeing everything on paper can bring clarity. Do you really want to do something or was it just something you heard about that sounded good in theory but not in the full light of a list? Perhaps you didn’t think something was possible but now that it’s there on paper, it starts to feel like you can really do it? Give it a try.
A short list with small actions.
While it can be tempting to make a list of 101 things to do this fall, don’t. You will be much better off focusing on a handful of activities that you really look forward to instead of every plan imaginable. Don’t let influencers tell you you have to do all of the things either. Focus on what you want most. That will make those activities all the more special rather than just another thing to get through in order to achieve some check list that has no real meaning.
Once you have that short list, break those activities down into all the actions that you need to take to do that thing.
For example: If one of your activities is to learn or participate in a cozy craft then your action list for that will include deciding on a craft, obtaining materials for that craft, researching a tutorial to learn from, and making time to actually do that craft.
Create a budget.
Not having the funds for plans is the number one reason a lot of people never even try to achieve their goals. However, rarely do those people ever actually look at those funds in the first place. Take some time to look at your money situation. How much can you set aside to enjoy this fall season? Whatever that amount is, there are things you can do. Look at your want-to-do list and research free or inexpensive ways to do them. Lots of stuff can be done with little to no money from picnics and hiking to picking up a new cozy hobby with thrifted materials or visiting the library for movies and books with fall themes.
Set a date.
There are 91 days in fall. Life make things hectic for all of us and unless you put something in your planner or on a calendar, it can be really easy to go through all those days and let them slip by.
Pull out a calendar, or bring one up on your phone or computer and see what your schedule looks like. Are you free or busy on weekends? Any major events or appointments? Once you see it all laid out, take your fall bucket list and start scheduling those activities! This really does help make sure you get them done, especially if you set alarms and reminders.
Call a friend.
Having a friend along always makes activities more enjoyable. Plus, you get the added accountability of someone else holding you to your goals. Once you have your plans in place, reach out to a loved one, family member, or even someone you’re not very close to but would like to be. Ask them if they are excited about the fall season and invite them in on your autumnal to-do list. Remember the previous suggestions — set actual dates and plans so that you don’t just talk about it but actually do it.
Action
It’s very easy to dream, plot, and plan your activities and never do anything else. Many people (especially those who are neurodivergent) get a hit of dopamine by making a list or plan and no longer feel the drive to achieve what is on that list because of it. Don’t let yourself fall into that dopamine trap. Take the steps that are actually in your plan and do the thing! Imagine how good it will feel in the doing and at the end of the season, looking back on all those moments and memories made. Go for it!