Are you a list maker? Most people have daily or weekly to-do lists. You may even have a bucket list or a list of long-term goals. But do you have a curious list? If you’ve never heard of a curious list, keep reading. I hope to inspire you to start one.
Set aside your bucket list
I’m not a fan of the term “bucket list”. It’s terrific to have a list of goals or things we want to achieve, but the whole concept of getting things done before you “kick the bucket” feels a little negative. It also creates unnecessary pressure to beat the clock and tick things off the list.
I’ve always been a list maker and live by my daily to-do list. But as I prepared to transition into my next chapter, I started a new list…a curious list. I think of it as a bucket list, without the pressure.
Consider a curious list instead
I first learned about the curious list in my coursework for the Certified Professional Retirement Coach (CPRC) designation. When working with clients, I help them create their own personal list. It’s an essential tool to help determine possibilities in your next chapter.
The importance of curiosity
Curiosity is our drive to explore and learn. It helps us engage with life and the world around us.
When we leave our careers behind, we lose the structure and external motivation associated with our jobs. Individuals whose work provided a strong sense of identity, belonging, and purpose often struggle the most with the transition to retirement. This lack of structure leads many retirees to default to a retirement of busyness without meaning or purpose.
Cultivating curiosity turns retirement into a period of exploration rather than decline. It fosters a growth mindset and shifts focus from what has been lost to what is possible.
More than just filling time
Many people underestimate the amount of time they’ll have on their hands when they are no longer working.
It might seem hard to believe amid the pressure of work, raising a family, and the general busyness of life, but the novelty of all that free time wears off quickly. This is especially true for someone with no hobbies, or whose entire identity was tied up in their job.
Even those with hobbies often find themselves feeling a little lost. No matter how much you love golf, fishing or travel, at some point those things may get old and you’ll find yourself feeling restless or even bored. Experts say prolonged periods of boredom can increase stress levels and worsen mental health conditions.
Creating a curious list is an exercise to help you generate ideas on how to fill your time in retirement. More than just filling time, though, it can be the bridge to rebuilding your identity once you leave your career behind.
Start your curious list today
A curious list is exactly as the name implies—a list of things you’re interested in or want to explore further when time permits. This can be a specific topic to learn about, an activity to pursue, something you want to experience, or a cause you care about.
If you add something to your list, it doesn’t mean you will commit to doing it. That’s the beauty of the curious list. It sets up a desire to do, be, and learn more without the pressure of a bucket list.
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
Step 1 – Brainstorm
Sit down with a blank piece of paper. Write down a list of things you’re curious about that you’d like to explore when you have time on your hands.
At this point, let the ideas flow freely. Add anything that sparks even a tiny bit of interest. Think quantity over quality and don’t concern yourself with cost, practicality, or feasibility. Above all, don’t let what others think restrict you.
If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, click the image below to download a thought booster list to get the ideas flowing.
Step 2 – Prioritize
Next, go back through the list and assign an interest level to each item.
Consider how interested you are in pursuing each idea on your curious list. Rank each item from 1 to 5, where 1 means low interest and 5 means high interest.
Step 3 – Add to the list over time
Keep your curious list handy and add to it whenever you hear something that intrigues you. The more ideas on the list the better!
Step 4 – Explore items on your curious list
You created your curious list for retirement, but you don’t have to wait until then to start learning new things.
Any time you feel restless or bored, or simply ready for a new challenge, pull out your curious list and start exploring.
Consider the few minutes you’ve spent building your curious list as an investment in your future. With your curious list in hand, you’ll never need to be bored again.
Do you need help brainstorming ideas for your curious list? Contact me to learn how I can help you create a holistic plan for your next chapter.
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