The term bucket list has come to mean a list of things to do before a person dies. It became more popular after the movie by the same title “The Bucket List” was released in 2007. It features 2 men who meet in a hospital and realize that they absolutely must do a list of things before they die. They take off from the hospital against their doctors wishes and the rest of the movie is about how they discover themselves as they check items off the list. Since then many have embraced the concept of making the bucket list, working towards accomplishing things of the list and checking them off. Absolutely an admirable task. There is an even a website by the same name that encourages people to create lists and share with friends and provides an opportunity to connect with others sharing the same dreams/ambitions/goal. Check it out at www.bucketlist.org. It is very inspiring to see the ideas people have shared here.
Why is it that we do not have a bucket list for our career? Why is that we are not able to make a list of things we want to experience and goals we want to accomplish in our career journey. Don’t get me wrong. Most of us do set goals in our career front such as I want to get this promotion or this new title or this new salary in the next X months, years etc or yearly objectives. But how about a comprehensive and an all-encompassing list of experiences and goals to achieve in our career before we die and not just in the next few months or years. One argument could be that we are not sure of what we want to be 10 years from now. Another one could be that the rapid pace of technology growth precludes us from knowing what other opportunities could present themselves in the future and thereby it is impossible to make a comprehensive list of things to accomplish in one’s career before they die. My response to these arguments is simple. Make a list based on what is available today and what you know of yourself today. As you and/or technology evolves you can always modify the list to include or take off things that are not relevant.Some examples of career related goals on your bucket list could be:
- Be an expert in my field of expertise
- Present my topic at a conference
- Start a movement to XXX
- Experience of leading a virtual team
- Experience of mentoring high-potentials
- Experience of building a new company or a new division
- Experience of going through an entire product life-cycle
- Experience of building a brand
- Experience of negotiating a $1 M deal
- Experience of setting a XYZ process
- Experience of developing people to do ABC
The thrill of checking things of a list of goals and dreams is fulfilling. Get that same fulfillment on your career front as well.
What does your career bucket list comprise of?
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