This past week, I wrote a letter to the Wayfinding Women Community. As I finished pouring out my heart to these amazing women, I challenged them to make 2017 their best year yet by Joyful Intention.
I don’t know about you, but my New Years Eve and New Years Day Facebook feed was filled with New Years Resolutions and catchy hashtags like #newyearnewyou. Admittedly there were also many posts on Mariah’s performance (we aren’t in the business of mocking other women…no matter how “confusing” that performance was), as well as slideshows and tributes to celebs who had passed away in 2016. But what caught my attention was a “name it and claim it” post that prompted followers to name one word for the year 2017 and live that word out. I scrolled past it only to return to that post. I was intrigued. If I could name and claim one word for 2017, it’d be the same word I would encourage you to choose also…intentional.
What Does it Mean to Live Intentionally?
I should have been a lawyer because I love a great counterexample. In that spirit, let’s first declare what NOT living intentionally looks like. Living without intention is living your life on autopilot. One study showed that Americans live nearly half of their day on autopilot; half of the day unengaged and without focus on what they are doing and the world around them. At first I was shocked by this, but then I thought about all of those times I drove to work, got there, and wondered how I had actually arrived. I couldn’t remember specific stoplights and intersections! I was literally on autopilot.
I want to live 2017 and I want YOU to live 2017 (and each day beyond) intentionally.
Websters defines intentional as done on purpose; deliberate. It gives a long list of synonyms: calculated, conscious, intended, planned, meant, studied, knowing, willful, purposeful. But what does it mean to live intentionally?
Living intentionally practically means we are focused and meaningful in all that we say, do, and think about.
Ways to Live Intentionally
Thinking Intentionally: All that we do and feel and say begins in the mind. Everything stems from one initial thought. This means that where our thoughts wander are where our words and actions will follow also. So, take each thought captive. Instead of allowing your thoughts to naturally wander aimlessly toward anxious, worrisome, self condemning, and negative thoughts, guide your thoughts. Do you have particular dreams or goals? Think on your next steps to achieve them. Do you have positive, nurturing relationships to focus on? Think about them. Whatever is true, encouraging, and helpful to your ultimate goals in life, think about those things.
Also part of thinking intentionally is being alert. A women sitting on the beach can allow her mind to go in two different directions. One can wander in her thoughts to her to-do list or whatever she has planned for the evening. Another woman can really embrace her surroundings. Listening to the waves crashing, embracing the sun’s warmth on her skin, and watching her kids play carefree in the sand. One woman is allowing her mind to wander aimlessly through day to day activity, while the other is intentionally soaking in the moments.
Speaking Intentionally: Women can use their voices to move mountains; but if we’re being honest, it’s incredibly easy for women to use their voice in a negative manner. In our society, women shame other women over a number of things. Take control of your words. Intentionally speak life into yourself and into others. Use words that lift others’ spirits. Use words that align with your goals. Are you hoping for more meaningful relationships? Speak intentionally kind words to those people. Are you moving toward a promotion at work? Use the confident and knowledge based words of a leader.
Acting Intentionally: You have 24 hours in each day. No more. No less. What are you filling up your day with? Are the activities your fill your calendar with right now leading toward the short term and long term goals you have? Intentionally block out time in the day for your priorities whether it be your spouse, kids, or just some well needed self care! If you don’t tell your time what to do, it will get away from you.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot to be said for healthy and productive habits and for efficiency. Just don’t let your habits run you. Imagine an ideal day and then take small daily steps to make that day happen. Don’t forget to stop and breath along the way.
I’ll leave you with this quote that spoke to me:
“When you get right down to it, intentional living is about living your best story.” – John Maxwell
Yes! Go write your best story! Need a little help getting intentional? Download my free Designing My Intentions Worksheet to help you get focused.
