11 Ways To Be Intentional Today

If you don’t wake up in the morning excited, happy, peaceful and ready to engage your day, than it’s possible you’re not living a life of being intentional.

I don’t always wake up in a high vibration, life-loving mood, but I do more than not nowadays.

And here’s the thing, my life will never be perfect-and I love that.  I love that I can embrace flaws and messiness and still love living. And the secret?  Learning to be intentional in my life.

To be honest, the saying “be intentional” was pretty obscure to me about a year ago.  I even wrote (a now deleted) article on being intentional and positioned it about pursing your dreams.

But it’s about so much more than that.

Be Intentional:  This Is the True Meaning

Being intentional means living with a purpose.  And then living that purpose out through your actions, words and daily decisions.

To break that down further, it means figuring out what your life purpose is- it should part you focused, and part other focused

It’s about learning how to wake up in the morning and live out your purpose in a way that’s fulfilling.

It’s about becoming a better person so you can respond empathetically, and out of love rather than fear.

Why Intentionality?

Being intentional will change your life.  It helps position you in a new light.  No longer is life about bills and responsibilities and just getting by. Instead it’s about having a passion and purpose. It makes life a little more colorful.

And yes, it’s easy to fall into the rut of living to work like your peers do. It’s much easier to complain about your work, and about it being Monday, and about how you don’t have time.

But it’s much more fulfilling to find a purpose that and pursue it.  Easy isn’t always worth it. And is living the life everyone else lives really how you want to live?  Or would you rather be pursuing something bigger and more exciting?

THIS Is How To Be Intentional

Establish A Schedule

Having a set routine (at least a bedtime routine and morning routine) will help you get the most out of your day.  You can lay your clothes out the night before, and in the morning have a moment to stop and think about how you’re going to be intentional.  Just having the schedule makes you more intentional than you were before having one.  Beyond just having a morning and evening routine try creating other habits to help keep you mindful and set yourself up for success.

To-Do Lists

Create To-Do lists with your purpose in mind.  Try not to get caught up in all the small details.  I like to create a list before bed when I’m not facing the day head on.  It allows me to find some clarity in the tasks I write down for the next day.

Pick One Win For The Day And Own It

Today isn’t just about a to-do list.  Part of being intentional is learning to work progressively the rest of your life towards the things that are important to you.  Because of that it’s important to find balance.  An easy way to do that is to pick just ONE win for the day. And it can be something basic.  For instance, be nice to one person.  Obviously, whatever you pick should align with your purpose.

Get To Know Who You Are

While hopefully you’ve started doing this already.  Now that you’ve decided to start working towards what’s important to you, start trying to focus on who you are as well. This will help you find clarity in your purpose.  It’s easy to know that what you’re doing isn’t what you want to do.  A little harder to know the direction you should be going when you’re stuck following the crows.

Find the thing that lights you up!

Embrace Who You Are

Grow, learn, take responsibility for your actions, but also embrace the person you are. You’re not perfect and you will never be, so love those imperfections.  If you can learn to embrace them they can even become an asset.

You Have Options

I know that one thing I struggle with is feeling stuck.  The reality is that we all feel stuck sometimes, but we all have unlimited choices. So start widening your perspective of life.  Start considering the possibilities.  A fun exercise is to think of the most irresponsible thing you could do.  Have it?  Now think about the most inspiring choice?  Crazy the difference isn’t it?  And there are a million other choices in between. 

Sometimes when I’m feeling stuck I like to just make a list of all of the choices I have.  Good, bad, horrible, amazing.  It helps me center myself and acknowledge that I’m making the best choices I can for myself.

Declutter your life

Get rid of the extra stuff you don’t need.  Then, get rid of the attitudes and habits that don’t serve your goals. If it’s not helping you live your life of purpose get rid of it!

If something isn’t adding value to your life in a way that’s enriching-ditch it.  No need to let things bog you down.

Take A Time Out

If you do nothing else schedule some time to read, or take a bath, or practice some other forms of self-love. Get rid of your electronics for a time. Relax with loved ones or go on a walk by yourself.  This is a time to let your body and mind know that you love it.

Forgive Yourself And Then Others

Forgiveness is a funny thing.  We talk about forgiving, but it’s easier said than done. Forgiving means letting go, but not forgetting.  Start by forgiving yourself and then forgiving others. You won’t be able to move on with guilt and resentment.  Plus holding onto things will lower your energy which means you won’t be able to reach your full potential.

Live In The Moment

Life isn’t lived when things work out.  It’s lived every day.  So stop waiting for that raise or that new car or that moment when you “find love”. Start living each moment.  Yes you will have to do things like work, but you can learn to enjoy the people around you, and the rain and the blue sky and the   Life isn’t lived when…. when you get the raise you deserve, when you have the car you always wanted, when you find love.

Life is lived in this moment, enjoying what you have here and now- not what will be in the future, what is today. You can start to appreciate things around you more by making a list of everything you’re grateful for around you. 

Worry About You

Societal pressures suck to be frank. Especially if you feel called to live a way contrary to the norm.  But, try not to worry about what everyone else thinks and does and instead focus on you!