The Principles of Intentional Living

“Nobody finishes well by accident” – John C. Maxwell.

Four Principles:

  1. Be clear about what you stand for and believe – define your truth.
  2. Be authentic – Show others who you are.
  3. Make your life your priority – living well benefits yourself and those around you.
  4. Identify, be comfortable, and pursue your purpose – it is ok that purpose is a dynamic process rather than a fixed goal.

C- Clear A- Authentic P- Prioritize P- Pursue

BE BOLD AND WEAR YOUR CAPP!

Intentional living defined

“What we know matters, but who we are matters more.” – Brene Brown

Intentional living is a life style choice based on one’s values and priorities. Intention facilitates the truth in your life. It frees you from being dictated to by pop culture and social media as the ultimate authority.

Being intentional is about motivation. It’s about your WHY. It’s about clarity about who you are and what you want. Intention provides you with the opportunity to contribute to society rather than mindlessly feeding off others' opinions. This is possible for all of us. You need not be highly educated or of social standing to have a powerful impact on your world. Just practice making thoughtful choices and decide how you want to show up in the world today.

Being intentional is about bringing a commitment, focus, and attention to something important to you. What is important is different for each of us.The process starts with being intentional with your behavior, thoughts, and actions.This skill you can grow every day, and it will change your life. This skill set will move your life forward, and you will see daily progress.

An intentional focus is a way of thinking about your life that’s committed, purposeful, and deliberate. When you are intentional, you choose to make decisions and take action on what’s important to you.

Good daily habits to increase intention in your life

When you are intentional with your time, energy, and focus each day, you are far more likely to achieve the desired results. You become productive in a way that serves your purpose.

1.   Be clear on what results you wantYou can increase your intentionality by clarifying the measurable results you want to achieve in the future. When you have an emotional investment in your bigger purpose and goals, it is much easier to be intentional about taking action.

2.   Be purposeful with your timeIntentional people understand how precious time is. What you spend your time on will determine the direction that your life will eventually take.

3.    Be focusedAn intentional focus gives you greater clarity about what you want and takes the guesswork out of where to invest your time and focus.

4.    Set goalsSetting goals gives you a plan and path to work towards every day and ensures you start your day with focus and purpose.  Goals give you the motivation and focus on achieving your priorities in life.

5.    Being more mindful of your meaningful relationshipsBeing intentional in your essential relationships adds immeasurable value to your life and those who are important to you. It adds more profound meaning to these relationshipsWhen you appreciate your most important relationships, you experience tremendous gratitude, abundance, and self-awareness. It helps you understand the purpose and importance of every relationship you have. When you take the time to understand why a relationship is meaningful, you feel happier.

The way forward

Meghan Le Vota puts it well in her intentional living article: “Learning to live intentionally is about deliberately taking each step forward to further align with your purpose. It’s about matching up your real life with your dream life. It’s possible, but it requires taking action to make that happen.

It’s normal to be scared. Some people feel afraid to live their life intentionally. You may not feel like you have an impact, or perhaps, you don’t want to set yourself up for disappointment. What if I intend to live a life full of joy and something goes wrong? What if I take a courageous step toward my wildest dreams, and they don’t come true?

These are rational fears to have—because, of course, life is not predictable. But living an intentional life isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about being deliberate about the things that are within your control. And with the grace of God, you can face those fears and create miracles in your life today.

Things will always go wrong, whether you are living intentionally or not. But, being intentional allows your brain to be alert to opportunities so you can jump on them at the right moment.”

Here are some activities to try when practicing to become more intentional

  Connect more with nature, less with electronics   Spend more time with friends or reach out to old friends   Pray more   Connect with your body through exercise, like walking or cycling   Eat more whole foods   Get out of your comfort zone—try new things, date, meet new people   Find ways to be more helpful and productive at work   Build a creative life   Engage with the community and support neighbors   Meditate more often