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Jonathan Padilla
Professor Dagher
UWRT 1102
4 April 2015
Extended Inquiry Essay Draft
Ultimately, through research I found that happiness and positive well-being correlates
with having a bucket list, however; theres more to a bucket list that I have discovered. A bucket
list is a list that many have including those who are young and even those are on the brink of
death and are looking to live life to the fullest while they can. A great movie that depicts this is a
2003 film,The Bucket List, starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. In this list are items or
personal goals that one wishes to accomplish before death. These goals are not limited to any
parameter usually, and some common goals are to travel around the country, experience different
cultures, accomplish daring tasks, and much more.
The items, according to Snyder, are based and reflective upon what we value as unique
individuals (Snyder). For example, if one values good health, he/she will most likely include
goals on his/her list that relate to exercise, dieting, and such. I find this aspect very interesting
because what he is saying is that INSERT QUOTE. Values not only influence goals, but
they also influence how we carry ourselves as individuals.
Discovering that our personal goals are essentially derived from values, made me
wonder how we come to determine our unique values. In Personal Values, Belief and Attitudes,
the general idea revolves around learning about our individual values, beliefs, and attitudes.
Here, the author explores each topic, and goes into detail by defining each, elaborating on how

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we individually build our values, beliefs, and attitudes, and how each contributes to our
perspective on the world. QUOTE. Through this source, I discovered that pursuing our
personal goals is a way of expressing our values and ultimately, who we are as unique
individuals.
Interestingly, happiness and positive well-being is a byproduct of having a bucket list.
We find happiness in doing the things we like to do and especially by accomplishing goals.
Along with Snyder, Emmons believes personal goals impact our lives greatly. He suggests that
pursuing personal goals like those on a bucket list ultimately structure and guide our lives
(Emmons). QUOTE. Ultimately structuring our lives, he believes that pursuing those personal
goals bring purpose and meaning to our lives and upon accomplishing, brings happiness.
In Emmons' Striving for the Sacred: Personal Goals, Life Meaning, and Religion, he
believes that goals are what our lives revolve around. Significant and purposeful life goals
structure our lives completely. QUOTE. Emmons believes that the progress of pursuing life
goals influences how we carry ourselves individually, and even how we feel. This source relates
to my topic of the importance of a bucket list because it proves the great impact life goals have in
our lives.
In The Science Behind Vacations: Why we Need a Break, what is ultimately being said is
that traveling, new experiences, and vacations in general is very beneficial and a great way to
maintain good health. In this article, there are common ways people vacation, like sightseeing,
experiencing new cultures, traveling, etc., and how each has a unique but beneficial effect,
usually improving mentality. This source particularly helps support my belief that having a

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bucket list of personal goals, improves ones way of life by elaborating on vacation and its
beneficial effects.
Conference Questions:
1. How can I help you most in my response to your essay?
Im having difficulty with my direction in my essay. If you could guide me in the right
direction that would be really helpful. Also, I was wondering if there is an easy way to
structure this essay, I feel my information is all over the place.
2. What particular parts, passages or decisions are you unsure about?
Im unsure about the direction that I should take. I also am unsure about starting
paragraphs with questions, I feel the questions are good transitions. I feel like its still a
research paper, theres not a lot of my voice being presented. I wanted to know what I
should do about that.
3. What are your questions for me as you develop your essay?
It would be in my best interest to go over my 2nd draft after I revise this draft using your
feedback so would there be a second conference or a way to get feedback after this
conference?