12 Lists to Help You Live with Purpose
It’s fun to peruse “Top Ten” lists or “favorite” lists to see what everyone else finds interesting or important. But the most valuable lists are the ones you create for yourself. These 12 lists are designed to help you live with purpose.
Included in this roundup are bucket lists, goal lists, and even a mundane monthly task list. Follow along with creating these lists month by month, and you will have determined exactly what matters to you. You will craft a collection of lists to help transform your random chaos and indecisiveness into a well thought out plan.
January List to Make: Goals List
A goals list is the obvious choice for January, right? If you’re looking for a list to help you live with purpose, a list of goals is a no-brainer. This list doesn’t need to be big, in fact, I’d advise you to limit yourself in one of two ways.
One or Two Big Goals for the Year
The first option is to set one or two big goals. Then, make a list of all the actions you need to take to achieve those individual goals. Don’t worry about knowing everything, as you move toward your goal, you’ll gain more information and have a better understanding about everything it will take to achieve your goal. Just get started with listing out everything you do know as of right now.
Write down the very first smallest step you can take, add another step, and another, and revisit this list at least monthly throughout the year.
Read: Monthly Lists to Plan Your Year
Smaller Monthly or Quarterly Goals
The second option for keeping your goal setting from getting too big and unwieldy is to set smaller goals over a shorter period of time. You could set a quarterly goal for the next 90 days and list out the action steps you need to take to meet that goal.
Alternatively, you might like setting monthly goals. So set a specific goal for the end of January, another goal for the end of February, and so on.
These goals can build on one another, leading to completion of a big year-end goal. If your ultimate goal is to improve your fitness, you may set a goal to work out 3x per week in January. Then in February, your goal may be to complete a 30-day pushup challenge.
Or, your goals can be completely unrelated. Set a goal of reading 4 books in January. Your February goal can be to call a friend every Sunday afternoon. Then in March, your goal might be to eat a salad every day.
Keep Your Goal List Small
Goals are very personal, so you should feel free to create a goals list in any way you choose. However, if you make a huge list of 20 goals in January and try to get started on all of them at once, you are unlikely to achieve much of anything. Keep it small and measurable and within a short(ish) time frame.
February List to Make: Spring Bucket List
Think about the types of activities you’d like to do in spring. One way I think about creating bucket lists is to include a variety of categories. Below are a few categories to get you thinking about seasonal bucket list ideas.
- seasonal food or drink to enjoy
- area to organize
- workout or physical activity to try
- seasonally related books or movies
- planning or goal setting activity
- craft or creative project
- self-care or habit to implement
You’ll find hundreds of bucket list ideas in my free printable resource library. Download my monthly bucket list ideas to help you begin thinking about what you’d like to include on your own seasonal bucket list.
March List to Make: Monthly Task List
Typically March is the month of spring cleaning, refreshing, and decluttering in the home. Most of us have a pretty good handle on the types of tasks and chores we need to do weekly (whether or not we complete them is another matter!). This month, take some time to make a list of all the tasks you’d like to do monthly. The list below can help you get started in thinking about what you want to include on your monthly task list.
Organizational Tasks
- review/update budget or financial information (bank accounts)
- check calendar for upcoming events
- clean out car
- pet medications
- do a monthly review: what needs to change?
- shred or toss paper clutter
Technology Tasks
- back up phone and computer
- sort and delete photos on phone
- clean out email accounts
- clean electronics screens and keyboards
Read: Monthly Checklist to Organize Your Phone
Cleaning Tasks
- clean out fridge/freezer
- vacuum under furniture
- clean fan blades
- clean light fixtures
- wash throw blankets
- clean washing machine/dishwasher
- refill soap dispensers
Create a master monthly task list as a reference guide. You’ll reduce your mental load once you have a checklist to follow. No more realizing in July that you haven’t backed up your computer since last year.
Read: Realistic Cleaning Checklists for Busy Moms
The most vital element of this list is that you designate a time to look at this list and do the tasks that you haven’t done since last month. Choose a day or weekend, maybe the last weekend of each month, and put it on your calendar. If something prevents you from completing your monthly task list on your scheduled date, reschedule it. Treat it like you would any appointment or external commitment.
April List to Make: Projects List
Moving on to April, the list I recommend making is a Projects List. You’ve just done some spring cleaning, and you’re starting to think ahead to warmer weather.
Make a list of all the projects you’d like to tackle. Include short-term projects, as well as projects you know you won’t get to for months, or maybe even years.
By definition, a project is bigger than a task. It’s probably not something that’s going to get done in a day. You might need to purchase things in advance or make a plan for multiple stages depending on how big the project is.
What to Put on a Projects List
- repaint laundry room
- clean out garden beds
- set up a meal planning system
- clean out the garage
- plan summer vacation (family reunion, wedding, or even birthday party)
- file taxes
You probably get the idea. Making a list of every project you can think of will give you one place to store all those pieces of information. Then, every time you notice something you need to take care of that’s bigger than a task you’d put on your to-do list, add it to your project list.
After you’ve made your project list, grab a piece of paper and list out the upcoming months. My free printable monthly priority page works great for this purpose. Click the image below to download it from my resource library.
Pull up your calendar and look over your project list to determine if there are any projects you can slot into a specific month.
Then every month, during your monthly review (remember that from the monthly task list?), take a few minutes to do the following tasks:
- Review your project list to determine which projects have a deadline and must be done soon. Schedule time for those on your calendar.
- Look through the remaining projects on your list while reviewing your calendar several months in advance to find times you can work on a project. Schedule time on your calendar to work on your projects.
May List to Make: Summer Bucket List
Just like the spring bucket list referenced earlier, consider what you want to include on a summer bucket list.
Each summer you can revise this list to include specific events, but make a list of the general types of things you’d like to do during the summer. As an example, make “outdoor concert” a bucket list item instead of the specific concert you plan to attend in July.
You’ll be able to refer back to your summer bucket list each year and pop in whatever specific events you choose.
On a summer bucket list you may want to include some type of travel activity, like a road trip or a local hike. Another idea for a summer bucket list is to include an adventure activity, a family game, or a picnic.
You’ll find hundreds of bucket list ideas in my free printable resource library. Download my monthly bucket list ideas to help you begin thinking about what you’d like to include on your own seasonal bucket list.
June List to Make: Good Advice List
A list of good advice is a useful list to review monthly. It’s kind of like having a list of inspiring quotes that are all relevant to how you want to live. Add to this list whenever you hear good advice you want to remember and review your list monthly to remind yourself of your priorities, of what not to do, or of ways you want to take action.
July List to Make: Reflection List
A list of reflection questions provides input into what’s going well, what needs to change, or what you’ve learned. Once you’ve made a list of reflection questions, review your list monthly to get insight into how you’re doing.
Below is a short list of possible questions to include on your reflection list:
- What’s going well in my life right now?
- Is there anything causing me stress that I can change?
- How is my relationship with my kids? Husband?
- What am I looking forward to?
- Is there anything I’ve been avoiding or putting off that I should take care of?
Download my free monthly reflection questions if you want a done-for-you version of this! Click the image below to grab the freebie from my resource library. Choose whichever questions you want to incorporate into your monthly reflection and make an appointment with yourself to reflect back each month.
August: Fall Bucket List
Now it’s August, fall is right around the corner, so it’s time to make a fall bucket list. Include seasonal activities, something new to try, a family tradition, and something to help you prepare for the back-to-school season.
Your fall bucket list might include trying a new crockpot or instant pot recipe, perhaps a fall shade for your manicure, or a trip to a pumpkin patch.
You’ll find hundreds of bucket list ideas in my free printable resource library. Download my monthly bucket list ideas to help you begin thinking about what you’d like to include on your own seasonal bucket list.
September: 10-Minute Task List
Fall typically feels like a busy time of year. Kids head back to school with new schedules, after-school activities require juggling transportation needs, and every year the holiday season seems to arrive a little bit sooner!
Take some time in September to make a 10-minute task list. This list should include a variety of tasks you can tackle and complete in 10 minutes or less.
Where to Find 10-Minute Chunks of Time in Your Day
Outside Your Home
- waiting to pick up kids from school or activities
- arriving early to an appointment
- between meetings
At Home
- waiting for water to boil
- after you finish a task and before you have to leave the house
- waiting for coffee to brew
- while sitting with your child doing schoolwork/homework
- waiting on hold for customer service
Tasks to Include on Your 10-Minute Task List
Outside Your Home
- text an encouraging message to a friend
- call to make an appointment
- read a book
- listen to a podcast
- review your calendar
- place an online order
At Home
- wipe down counters or other surface
- empty garbages
- unload the dishwasher
- wipe smudges off cabinets or a window
- file paperwork
Obviously, these are just a few examples. Grab a notebook or open your Notes app and start brainstorming what you could do in 10 minutes.
Read: 50 Productive Things to Do in Small Pockets of Time
October: Learning List
Once you enter October, you’ve become more familiar with your new schedule, the days are shorter, and you’re probably spending more time inside. This is a great month to make a learning list.
Start a list of topics you’d like to learn about, books you want to read, podcasts to listen to, documentaries that sound interesting, classes you’d like to take.
It’s your list, so include whatever interests you. Learn how to paint, try a cooking class, get informed about political issues, or do a Bible study on a specific topic.
This is one of those lists you’ll want to refer back to every month, and continue adding to whenever you discover something you’d like to learn more about.
November: Winter Bucket List
In November, winter is right around the corner, so it’s time to make a winter bucket list. Add ideas for making your home cozy, baking Christmas cookies, or taking the kids sledding. Feel free to keep adding to your list year after year.
Each season, don’t attempt to check off idea you’ve listed. Instead, pick a few fun ideas that appeal to you and your family and make the most of the season you’re in.
You’ll find hundreds of bucket list ideas in my free printable resource library. Download my monthly bucket list ideas to help you begin thinking about what you’d like to include on your own seasonal bucket list.
December: Family Priorities List
The last month of the year brings lots of busyness and sometimes, overwhelm. Make a point to sit down for a half hour and create a family priorities list. You can approach this in two ways (or both ways).
What You Want to Prioritize
First, think about what you want to prioritize in your family. Do you want to carve out consistent, individual time with your kids next year? What about taking a fun family vacation? Is it important to you that your kids hear you apologize to them when you’ve wronged them somehow? Do you feel that your family needs to figure out a better way to manage household chores?
List out the things you want to make time for next year, as well as the things you’d like to change within your family dynamics. Then highlight one thing to start with and brainstorm how to make that a priority in the new year.
What Your Family Wants to Prioritize
The second way to approach this list is to think about what you want your family to prioritize. This is less about you taking personal action, and more of a vision-based approach to what your family chooses to value.
For example, your family priorities list might include: serving together, sharing humor and laughing at life, or being supportive of one another no matter what.
Listing priorities like this can help develop a family bond around what your family stands for and what you’re known for. You can probably think of families who are really good at making family devotions non-negotiable, or families who discuss news and culture regularly at dinner. Other families are known for always including people outside their family—going to the park, having dinner, and even vacationing with others. Things like that don’t happen accidentally. They must be prioritized. Have a family discussion and see if there are any areas you all agree are important to your family. Create a shared vision of your family as a team with specific priorities.
Read: 10 Practical Ways to Encourage Your Kids This Year
A Year of List-Making for Intentional Living
So there you have it. Twelve lists to help you live your life with intention and purpose. If you make these lists and implement even a small portion of what you want to do, you’ll be surprised at how much your thinking will change in a year.
Rather than consuming hours of content—basically watching other people’s lives—you’ll be reminded of the life you want to live. And, you’ll have specific suggestions for exactly what to do with your life. Priorities, goals, fun seasonal activities, projects and tasks to accomplish, and things to learn.
What are you waiting for? Get started. Grab a notebook and get listing. Then get up and do something. You’ve got one life to live. Live it fully, aware of your impact on those around you and above all, to the glory of God.
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12 Lists to Help You Live with Purpose
