Intentional Decisions Lead To a Purposeful Life

In a world of quick fixes and commercialized solutions, we often forget that we are responsible for being mindful of our decisions. Our lives are shaped and directed by the myriad of small daily decisions. Our choices directly impact our social, physical, financial, spiritual, and relational well-being.

GETTING STARTED – Spend a few minutes and answer these questions yourself.

How often are you faced with difficult questions without obvious answers?

How do you make informed decisions?

Is it wise to trust your gut when making decisions?

How do you make decisions that also benefit you in the long term, not just today?

Are you making decisions that work for you?

These are all questions that will lead you into a more intentional mindset. We can, at best, only make decisions to the best of our ability in the moment. Being planned increases the chance that our choices and actions will form part of a bigger, more integrated purpose for our lives.

Steps to intentional living - Thinking it through

When you have to make a decision, list the pros and cons of each possible outcome

1. Consider whether your decision is focused on being empowered or if your primary motivation is to please others.

2. Consider the short-term and long-term rewards of a specific decision.

3. What is your gut feeling? It is also good to consider what your decision will look like if you use intuition rather than logic to make the call.

Now it is time to strike a balance between logic and intuition.

Most decisions need to be taken but can be reconsidered in the future. The essential part of living with intention is not to avoid all mistakes and circumvent all trouble. Instead, embrace reality with a clear mind and a positive attitude.

Intention gives us back control of our thoughts and actions. It creates an environment where we can meaningfully engage with life and face the good and the bad without feeling out of control and disengaged.