Generally when people think of a "bucket list," they think of all the things that they want to do or experience throughout their entire life, before they proverbially, "Kick the bucket." While I highly encourage you to create your own bucket list, I'd like to also encourage you to set goals to experience and accomplish on a smaller scale. Focus on experiencing something every day, every week, every month and every year. We cannot wait for the right moment to experience life. We have to create the right moments and experience life. As you create your bucket list, be sure to make your family your top priority. You can have all the experiences the world has to offer, but if you don't get to share them with those closest to you, they will be empty.

A wise man once said a goal not written down is really only a wish. There is power in writing down your goals. Life is short and it is easy to let the days flow by without exploring what is outside the daily routines of life. Someday it will be our time to kick the bucket. None of us know when this day will come and as such we should treat every day like a special occasion. Surprise your family members every once in a while with a spontaneous experience that will bring you closer together while allowing you to check off one of those items from your list.

Here are three ways a bucket list will give you greater satisfaction in life.

Direction

Chart your own course in life. As you write down your goals, your desired accomplishments and the experiences you want to have in your life, you will have a clear path to follow. There will always be things competing for your time and energy. Having a bucket list will give you the direction you need to stay on course. When distractions come you will be able to easily filter them out and keep moving forward.

Focus

Having specific goals written down will help you stay focused. When the daily routines of life set in, it can be easy to let the days pass without taking much thought for your goals and desires. Use the items on your bucket list to keep yourself and your family focused. Make an effort to accomplish something small each day, week and month. You will find that you have attained great successes as the years pass. One strategy that I use is what I call a monthly focus. I pick two or three goals or experiences from my bucket list and work hard throughout the month to make it happen.

Purpose

What do you want out of life? Why? This is your purpose. You should ask yourself these questions with each goal that you have. This will help you determine if you really want it or not. Taking time to reflect on your purpose, to sit down and write out the answers to these questions will keep you motivated when times get tough.

Create a bucket list to bring direction, focus and purpose to your life. Do not waste time waiting to experience life. You must design each moment that you want to experience. As you refine your own bucket list, encourage your family members to create one of their own. As you share your lists with each other, you can help support and encourage one another and experience more of the richness life has to offer.

Work hard to create those moments in your life and check something off your bucket list. You will find greater joy and satisfaction as you set goals and work towards checking off the items on your bucket list. Enjoy the journey.