“Intentional living means having the courage to live the life you truly want, rather than settling for a life others expect of you.”
Unknown
What is intentional living?
Intentional living is a philosophy and lifestyle approach where individuals purposefully make decisions and take actions that align with their values, goals, and priorities. It involves being mindful and deliberate about how one lives, focusing on meaningful experiences, relationships, and personal growth rather than passively reacting to circumstances.
Our intentions hold the power to manifest fulfillment, and the only requirement is clarity. Our energy flows where we direct our intentions. This is the take responsibility part of your hopes, plans, and dreams. Intentional living often involves practicing mindfulness and being present in the moment. Paying attention to one’s thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. By cultivating mindfulness, individuals can make more conscious choices in their daily lives.
We intend to thrive rather than survive to enhance our overall wellbeing. Seeking our inner peace and life satisfaction. Taking control of our goals and intentions can make us more positive and develop a more robust outlook on our happiness and finding meaning in our lives.
Intentional living requires individuals to identify their core values, passions, and goals. Finding Clarity of Purpose, by clarifying what truly matters to them, they can prioritize their time, energy, and resources accordingly.
Intentional living encourages Authenticity and Integrity in all aspects of life. It involves aligning one’s actions with one’s beliefs and values, being true to oneself, and living with integrity.
Intentional living emphasizes the importance of Balanced Living in various areas of life, including work, relationships, health, and leisure. It encourages individuals to prioritize self-care, set boundaries, and maintain equilibrium to prevent burnout and promote overall wellbeing.
Intentional living acknowledges the significance of Meaningful Relationships and Community Connections. It involves fostering genuine connections with others, supporting community initiatives, and contributing to the wellbeing of society as a whole.
Intentional living is a dynamic process involving Continuous Growth and Learning, and self-improvement. It encourages individuals to seek new experiences, step out of their comfort zones, and embrace personal and professional development opportunities.
Goals vs. Intentions: Understanding the Difference
We have been talking about goals to this point in my blogs. There is a difference between goals and intentions. Goals are future-oriented, something you aim to reach. “Take a class.” Intentions are present moment guiding principles that shape your actions and choices. “Be healthy.” Goals are driven by external rewards or desires, and intentions are driven by intrinsic values and purpose.
As far as outcomes are concerned, goals are measurable results with a clear endpoint. Intention is an ongoing process of being. Goals can be rigid and change depending on the situation, while intentions provide a guiding compass even when plans change.
Setting Achievable, Aligned Goals
- Start with intentions by identifying your core values and what you want to cultivate. We are each unique, and our intentions will be different. Your intentions could include kindness, growth, or connection. My intentions are integrity, honesty, caring, and authenticity.
- Translate your intentions into goals by choosing specific, measurable actions that support your intentions. Again, we each have our path, volunteer, take a college class, or share our knowledge by blogging or teaching.
- Set SMART Goals and make them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
- Align your goals with values to ensure your goals contribute to your overall intentions and values.
- Review and revise as you learn, grow, and adjust your goals and intentions to reflect on your developing self.
Remember, goals and intentions are valuable tools for guiding your life journey. By understanding their differences and using effective strategies, you can set achievable goals that align with your deeper desires and values.
Tools for Your Intentional Living Plan
Mindfulness. There are tools you can use to help with mindful living, such as meditation, breathing exercises, and stepping away from your digital habits, to help seek your peace. Take a walk in nature, talk to a neighbor.
Gratitude. Practice gratitude daily, and appreciate what you have, your experiences, and your relationships.
Living with purpose. Knowing your purpose gives you a guiding light. Purpose can also be referred to as a calling. For me, my purpose is a powerful drive to move in a certain direction; to help others reach their life goals.
“Intentional days create a life on purpose.”
Adrienne Enns
Visualization. Visualize your ideal day. See the daily routine and steps you plan to take to reach your goals. I often tell people that I have had the perfect day. If they have not experienced their perfect day, they do not relate to what I am saying. It is, however, genuine, and more, and more I can say it has been a perfect day. It is possible. To see your perfect days, you need to step back and become more aware of each day. For me, the perfect day is when I fully control what I work on and when. These days I can touch multiple passions of mine, such as working, caring for my indoor plants, painting a picture, reading a book, exercising, getting out in nature, and lots of sunshine and fresh air, and socializing.
Making conscious choices. Small, intentional choices can lead to a more fulfilling life. I make my own food, intentionally watching that I have a balanced and nutritional daily intake. I exercise two hours a day – not at one time, because I would hate it, but 30 minutes of walking at daybreak, 30 minutes of walking in the afternoon, and 30 minutes of dancing in the evening.
I have done this daily for the last three years; it is a habit. When I cannot get my walks or dancing, I feel I have missed something critical to my long-term health. However, realistically, I know that one day, here and there, will not destroy progress. It is just that it has become a habit, what feels right.
I intentionally sleep 8 hours, down at 10:30 pm and up at 6:30 am. The longer I do this, the more in-tuned my body becomes, to where I am naturally falling asleep at 10:30 and waking at 6:30 without an alarm.
Repetition can become your ritual-built habit. The habit then becomes a built-in part of your day.
Living authentically. Explore the importance of aligning your actions with your values and overcoming self-doubt.
Starting the day off right is essential. You have heard people say they got out of bed on the wrong side, which is about the attitude you open your eyes to. Is it going to be a bad day or a glorious day? You have the ability to make that decision.
Plan your day the night before, do your morning routines, and then you are ready to rock and roll.
“Live by design, not default.”
Anonymous
Practice Self-Care, which could include taking time for a walk, getting up early, and watching the sunrise. We all push through our days, moving from one task to another. Yes, we have many obligations, children to care for, homework assignments, and a big presentation at work. But it would help if you cared for yourself, so it does not become overwhelming.
Spend your time wisely.
If you want something (a goal)
- Work every day toward the goal.
- Use the tools for intentional living to motivate and assist in the journey.
- Find strategies for overcoming distractions and staying focused on what matters most.
Two important concepts for your intentional living plan.
Balance and Moderation
It is too easy to fall into a frenzy of compulsively following a plan. We all need to learn to live a balanced life with healthy boundaries. Moderation is staying in the middle, not too far out either way.
Conclusion
A year from now you may wish you had started today.”
Karen Lamb
Overall, intentional living is about living with purpose, mindfulness, and authenticity while consciously shaping one’s life in alignment with personal values and aspirations. It is a profoundly individualistic approach that can manifest in various ways, depending on individual beliefs, preferences, and circumstances.
We are not perfect; embrace your imperfections. Have self-compassion and acceptance of challenges on the journey to intentional living.
Recommended Reading
What it means to Live Intentionally – and 11 Tips to Try, by Skillshare Blog
Intentional Living: Tips to Be Intentional in Everything You Do, by Margarita Tartakovsky, MS, and Medically reviewed by Kendra Kubala, PsyD., PsychCentral
Citations
Photo by Coen van de Broek on Unsplash, Bicycles
Photo by Lukasz Szmigiel on Unsplash, Trees
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