This sounds like a weird suggestion, doesn’t it? But to really add some fun to your Living to Do list, you need some modifiers! By modifiers, I mean specific adjectives or verbs that truly spice up your listed items—and only modifiers that you really want, of course.

You might have “Go snorkeling” on your list. But where do you want to snorkel? Who do you want to snorkel with? Is there a specific color of snorkeling gear you prefer? Get as specific and outrageous as you like. For example, on my Living to Do list, I don’t have down that I want to try wine in Europe; I have “Drink Champagne in Champagne,” as well as Bordeaux in Bordeaux, of course! I don’t have “Learn to make chalk,” but specifically, “Learn to make stick chalk with my sister.”

Just take a look at your list overall and think about these questions:

• (For an activity) Who do I want to do this activity with? Where would we like to do it? Are there any specific colors, methods of transportation, pieces of clothing, or other items I want included? Example: Change “Visit Holland” to “Ride a bike with my niece in Holland while wearing lederhosen and wooden shoes.” Of course, it doesn’t have to be that specific!
• (For a location you wish to visit) Is there an exact city, attraction, monument, or area you’d like to visit? What do you want to do when you get to your destination? Is there a specific way you wish to get there, or a way you want to travel when you are there? Is there anything specific you want to eat there? Example: Change “Visit England” to “Ride a double-decker bus in London to go see Billy Elliot live.”
• (For an accomplishment) Why do I want this accomplishment? What will I do when I finish it? Example: Change “Go to college” to “Graduate college with a degree in Secondary Education to teach inner city children,” or “Graduate college with a 4.0 to get into law school.”

It’s easy to start modifying your list to specifics once you start at it. Of course, some things you may not wish to modify for various reasons. The goal might be a bit elusive; maybe you don’t know what you’d like to major in just yet and you’d like to keep it open, for example. Perhaps if you narrow it down too much, you may not accomplish it. Maybe you just want to keep a sense of mystery around your goal; for example, if you have “Kiss Hugh Jackman” on your list (and I don’t!), maybe you wouldn’t mind if it were under the stars, beneath some mistletoe, or a quick peck when he’s not even looking…