What's on Your Business Bucket List?


Almost 12 years in business and I don't have a bucket list. In fact, it didn't occur to me to have one until I stumbled across mention of it online. It got me thinking, what is the difference between a business bucket list and business goals?

You won't put something on a bucket list unless you're going to make the commitment to do more than thinking about it. By its nature, a bucket list is 'do or die'.

Things on a bucket list are like dreams and desires but more hardcore because they also have a personal commitment behind them.

A bucket list is a list, not a plan. It's about results, not how to achieve them. Some of the items on it may have to be backed up by significant implementation plans.

Is a business bucket list rigid and unchangeable? I'm a fan of flexible goals; it's important to be re-evaluating our goals. That means being able to cross things off without having accomplished them.

Is the difference really in our perception of the tool? I think of goals as things I have to accomplish and a bucket list as things I want to accomplish. Being my own boss means I have the power to make sure my goals are also my dreams.

If you're not convinced that a business bucket list (or even a personal one) is a good idea, this article might convince you.

originally published in Work Better, Not Harder newsletter February 28, 2017

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