Have you ever woken up in the morning, thinking of all the unfinished tasks of the previous day? Do you constantly worry about being able to pay your rent or save up for retirement? Is most of your life spent on school runs, grocery runs, errand runs – running, running and running? In this mode, the one song that deeply resonates with me is Bono’s, “I still haven’t found what I am looking for.” Life is like that.
Let’s turn those questions around. When was the last time you took the time to actually think about what you were doing? Like, why is your to do list so long? Do you really like doing all of those tasks?
If you’re like most of the people on this planet (including me), your answer to the first set of questions is probably ‘Yes’ and to the latter set, ‘No’. It’s understandable. Our lives get faster and faster with each generation, and we get burnt out earlier and earlier. We all have a bucket list of things to do and places to visit ‘someday’. However, the problem is that ‘someday’ never comes, and before we know it, it’s time to leave the earth.
If it is, and the mundane of the everyday excites you, then you’re already living the life you want. However, if you want more out of life, you’ll need to change the way you live. You need to live intentionally. So how can intentional living change your life?
What is Intentional Living?
As author Richie Norton says, “Intentional living is the art of making our own choices before others’ choices make us.”
Don’t mistake intentional living with mindfulness; it is that and much more. Intentional living is also about being in touch with your core values and staying true to them every day. It is realizing that you have the power to change your life, and accepting responsibility for your choices. It is about enjoying every minute of every hour of every day of your life.
What is NOT intentional living.
With abstract concepts like this, it’s easy to get confused, just like people mistake busyness with productivity. To avoid that, let’s take a look at what intentional living is NOT:
- Having everything figured out
- Trying to do it all or have it all
- A ‘set in stone’ road map
- Deprivation
- A one-time thing
Michael Hyatt has described this perfectly when he said, “Most people spend more time planning a one-week vacation than they spend planning their life.”
MUST READ: 10 ways to choose happiness now
Think about the last time you took a trip. You planned everything down to the last detail. When you’d go, where you’d stay, where you’d visit, what you’d eat, how much money you’d set aside etc. And then you took action – you bought your tickets, booked a hotel, hired a tour guide – you did everything necessary to execute the plan you made in the beginning.
When planning out their lives, people may go as far as listing out all the wonderful things they want to achieve, but then they fail to make the small everyday changes needed to actually make them happen. And that is exactly why intentional living is so important.
How Intentional Living can Change your Life
Here are just some of the ways how Intentional Living can change your life (for the better). It has for me, at least. And I am still stumbling my way across these. Sometimes I win, sometimes, I give up and then I give it a try again.
You realize your true potential
When you are in touch with your core values and only work in line with them, you’ll find a renewed sense of purpose in your life and your work. You’ll awaken your creativity and think clearer. Everything you do will be from the heart, and your true potential will shine. You’re doing what you truly love, and it will show!
You let go of stress
This is a big one! Stress is one of the leading causes of lifestyle diseases that range from depression to hypertension. When you live intentionally, you’re being true to yourself, and you let go of unreasonable expectations placed by others, or even by yourself. Your outlook will change, as you start looking at obstacles as challenges instead of roadblocks. This one really is my waterloo because I get stressed at the drop of a hat!
You have fewer regrets
They say that at the end of your life, you regret the things you didn’t do, rather than the things you did. Intentional living makes sure that doesn’t happen, since you are spending your time doing what you want and cutting out the rest. Living intentionally helps you make better decisions, which in turn leads to fewer regrets.
Your dreams actually come true
Yes, it’s true! When you have a clear idea of what you want your life to be like and what you want to do, you’ll want to get working on it right away. With small, consistent and focused changes every day, your ‘someday’ won’t be a vague date in the distant future, it’ll have a specific timeline and plan. And since you know what you really want, your goals are set to achieving it. It works in your mind on a very sub-conscious level. This is something that Buddhism also teaches. I practice it.
You enjoy life to the fullest
Once you separate the wheat from the chaff, what you’re left with is pure gold. Enjoying life to the fullest is a concept that Marie Kondo, author and organizing guru, speaks of when she says, “Keep only those things that speak to your heart.” She equates this with having a bookshelf full of only those books that you absolutely love. With intentional living, that is how your life will be – having only that which you truly value.
Living an intentional life is not difficult, but it can involve difficult decisions. As mentioned above, this is not an overnight change – it’s an ongoing process. If you’re new to this, take some time every day, maybe in the early morning, and look at your to-do list and evaluate what each item means to you, and why you’re doing it.
Asking yourself these questions will provide insight on what you really want in life and will clear the way forward to help you achieve your dreams. Are you aware of how intentional living can change your life?
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An excellent thought. Though I don’t begin my day with an intention, I have evaluated the value of certain things in my life which consume time for no reason. Reducing those things has suddenly given me lost time. An important post, this. Thank you!
I think most of us get side tracked with life! And that is what consumes our energies. I try to reduce these instances as much as I can to ensure that I don’t get bogged down by it.
Don’t be driven by other’s choices but live life according to yours, is the key. The peer pressure, societal pressure is so high for the Millenials that we forget about our own choices. it’s all about “4 log kya kahenge”. Intentional living would be more idealistic and taking baby steps towards it will also go a long way in making our lives happier.
Precisely. Even taking baby steps is a big thing. One step at a time is what you need to take to get there 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
I gave up planning the day I gave up my job as a Banker. In my new and chosen profession of writing, I keep telling myself that I am going to take it one day at a time. I guess I feel much better and definitely more alive. Beautiful post Pratibha.
Thanks a bunch Sonia! Life does make itself more beautiful when you choose to love yourself and make yourself as one of the priorities. And thanks for introducing me to some really wonderful authors.
Really loved reading this post! Nice one..
Thanks 🙂
Sounds intriguing, must try this out. Intentional living sounds exactly what i need to make my life more peaceful and stress-free!
Please do 🙂 It will make your life more sorted.
Sometimes we should have goals and sometimes we should face life as it is. It depends on how the situations are.
True that. And once you have the clarity, I think life becomes easier.
Thank you for this… am saving it. Most of the symptoms definitely apply to me and I need to make a change. Had honestly not heard of this concept of intentional living before this
It is never too late to make that change right? 🙂
It is so important to keep giving ourselves these reminders.
A brilliant post Pratibha! I was wondering how intentional living is different from mindful living and I am glad you’ve answered that too. Intention is everything, I agree. If you have the intent, you can achieve what you set out for and maybe more. Like you said, it’s an ongoing process that requires constant attention and evaluation.
My first encounter with the concept was this year beginning. When I was planning how and what to do this year. An intentional year of living. The concept might feel overwhelming to start but later it gives liberation too.
This is an unusual post in this day and age. Though it is one of the most important things as an individual one must pay attention to. What do I want to do in my life? Most of us do not know. May be we don’t care. Some of us become a doctor, a few engineers but not necessarily out of own volition. Our parents, our society force us to be what they want us to be. In this context I would like to bring to your notice story of Gadadhar Chakraborty, later Sri Rama Krishna. Nearly one hundred and fifty years before, Gadadhar when inducted as an apprentice to the head priest in the temple of Mother Bhavatarini in Dakshineshwar Kali temple. Gadadhar said I am not interested in money making education. In his words – not interested in an apprenticeship that ends up carrying offerings of rice and banana, home. Only desire of Gadadhar was a vision of mother Kali, come what may. He was ready to sacrifice his life for a vision of mother. That is one way of intentional living in my mind.
This is such a refreshing post to read… I don’t start my day with an Intention but I think I should.. Following these steps will definitely make our lives much happier and simpler.
Wow, that was such a treat. So beautifully written and it touched all the right chords in me 🙂
Intentional Living is the antidote to all the modern day chaos, confusion, stress, indecisiveness that we experience. IL (Intentional Living) brings in so much of clarity in life that none of the goals seem impossible. You have written it with great clarity. Thanks for this wonderful post 🙂
Brilliant concept. I don’t get driven by other choices. But sometimes it is easy to ignore and there are moments when I feel the pressure. The term ‘International living’ is empowering the soul. Being audacious to live on my own choices. Much love. ??
Wow! Never really paid attention to this. This would make life more sorted I guess. Nice read.
wow just so beautiful write up wonderful ty for such a positive post…
One of the most valuable reads I had today buddy
Stress is truly the big one, we need to overcome that big one to get things on track in life.
Life is all about choices
Every choice affect our future direction
Its not easy intentional living
But if you can do that
You will surely ease your life
I loved this post! Intentional living is such an enriching way to live, and yet so many of us just let life pass us by and go where it leads. I use yearly, monthly and daily intentions, and they have had quite an impact on how I spend my time.
This is a totally new concept and I loved it
realizing the true potential, letting go of stress with fewer regrets from life is so doable
a small everyday change for a better life is more important
What a post!!
Exactly intentional living can save a lot of time.
It is nothing but planning.
Wonderful suggestions for making life more meaningful and worthwhile.
This is indeed a very useful post. We are always in a rush. And a day isn’t successful until we check off at least x number of items from the to-do list. Ditto on “Most people spend more time planning a one-week vacation than they spend planning their life.”
I like the fact that we should not allow others to make choices for us. I agree we all have the power to change our lives.
This is a nice idea, I had no clue about the intentional living but yes keeping self first or taking decisions keeping your first isn’t that tough.
Really thought provoking article. Nice one. Keep flying. Keep dishing out such imp gyan for us mere mortals 🙂
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Lol! Bilkul 🙂
Wow, “Intentional living” and how to do it – I have learnt something awesome today…hope to implement it!! 🙂
Wow this is goals! Surely would mean to achieve ‘intentional living’…though I am someone who constantly needs her brain to worry about almost everything around me all the time!
If I understand correctly intentional living means living life with the aim of achieving one’s true goals in life. We need to cut out all conventions about what society tells us we ought to live our lives. A great idea and a sure means for happy living.
i love the concept of international living. our own set ideas bring us down
You took my heart away with this post, Pratibha. I believe in each and every word of it and practice it wholeheartedly. I fail many times but get up again because I know I am doing what I like to and my intentions are clear.
Clear intentions makes the practice worthwhile no? Thank you liking the post 🙂
I feel intentional living is sorted, it gives one clear picture of their life. I have started this recently and love the overall process as I agree to all above. Additionally, I keep practicing the art of attracting positives vibes only.
#MyFriendAlexa #vigorousreads
Thanks for the post. Very positive. Will start trying to live intentionally.
Yes! Please do.
Well Pratibha, this is indeed an excellent post. I can’t really point out how intentional living makes me add the imperatives but yes it does cut down on the non essentials. And I guess that is good enough to uplift your essentials. Thanks for bringing this up. Even though I am aware but it just slips into the subconscious sometimes and reading it brings it back!
maybe its time you did give it a serious thought and follow it to the T. 🙂
Every small step counts and we should start with the basics of life. This is a motivational read & I liked the idea of Intentional living
I do hope that you get to follow it.
Beautifully written Suchita. You amaze me with every article. I am influenced with this positivity and strength in your writing. I will be delving deep and definitely learning more about intentional living as it sounds very close to my aim of being detached and living and loving myself more everyday
Pratibha 🙂
Beautifully written Pratibha. You amaze me with every article. I am influenced with this positivity and strength in your writing. I will be delving deep and definitely learning more about intentional living as it sounds very close to my aim of being detached and living and loving myself more everyday
You said it, the key here is to love oneself. So often we are caught in various roles, a mum, a daughhter, a wife and so on. It takes so much of overwhelm that we often forget to put ourselves out there. I love stepping out for lunches on my own or heading for a movie on my own. It doesn’t make me less of a mother or a wife. Sometimes it is important to put your needs in front of others.
wow, this means I have been doing this for at least 3 years now. unknowingly I took on a new perspective of life
#myfriendalexa #princyreads
Yaaay!That is a brilliant thing to follow.
I will be honest. When I first heard the word Intentional living (which was a couple of months ago in a talk), the first thought that came to my mind was mindful practices. But when the speaker decoded it, it was making sense. We do need to think of intentional living. Sticking to core values and counting our blessings, and above all enjoying every minute should be our mantra. But as your said, practicing this is not very easy. But it is not impossible. 🙂
Nothing is impossible. It is always a block that makes us feel that things are not possible. I think when you set off to practice it, things become a lot more easier to comprehend and understand.
and this is something amazing! I loved how you explained!
Much thanks 🙂
Tell me about it! I just can’t prioritize stuff. I am someone who says Yes to both the set of questions you asked at the beginning of the post. So, what do I do? 🙁
What I started doing was a to-do-list and when that gets overwhelming, i just quickly write down all that I have to work on, subconsciously even when you free write, the top 5 tasks are the ones that need to be out of the plate asap :). Trust this works for you.
Thanks for Sharing this with me it’s really positive read and make to more clear about my way to work.
I need to read this post! Thanks for writing this.
I will try in my life , let see what change it can make
I just loved the idea you had shared in the post, and agree with the initial narration but in practical life how can we incorporate this, this is my point of interest, request you to write an entire series or few more blog posts on the same. would love to read them. #Surbhireads #Myfriendalexa
That is one detailed and a clear article I read about intentional living..for me I switch whenever I feel the need .. some times planning my day excites me and sometimes I let it loose..
Learnt a new concept to lead life and it’s better than what we are living. Nice post?
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Living with intention makes everyday packed with power. Tapping into our inner selves and finding what we resonate with gives us the right direction. Well written post, thank you 🙂
Quite a thoughtful post, Pratibha. Makes me ponder at so many levels – about my current plans, priorities and long term goals in life. Worth a read!!
Thank you Charu 🙂
This is certainly very motivating! I am so glad I came across your blog and found this post!
My pleasure 🙂
Bahut motivational n thoughtful bhi hai ?? ek chota step bhi lena jaruri hai
Intentional living is the only way to live in.the present mindfully.
Absolutely. That is the life truth 🙂
Reading your post made me realise the meaning behind a quote which my father had written for me when I was in school. it said, “Live your life live”. At that point of time, I had considered it as living my life in a lively way but now as I read your post suddenly a thought came to my mind that maybe my father wanted to advise me to live my life in that present moment (Live).
In today’s fast-paced world we have many things accumulated around us and we have a false impression of having fun in our life as we stand confused in the chaos all around. At the end of one’s life thread, we realise that we never heard what our true self wanted.
I think intentional living is the need of the hour. Finding our core values and striving for them will only result in giving us true happiness and satisfaction.
#readbypreetispanorama for #MyFriendAlexa
At the end of one’s life thread, we realise that we never heard what our true self wanted. This is so profound. Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a thoughtful comment 🙂
let the life be driven by us, amazing post dear
Thanks a bunch Arti!
In my lifetime, one thing that I have realized that often things do go as planned. It’s like Man proposes and God disposes.
🙂 True that, but one can always try!
This post was one amazing read and more of an eye-opener. yes, I am aware of all this, but to see it flashing right in front of me gave me immense satisfaction that I am not the only one thinking this way! Looking forward to more such posts
Thank you so much!
I have never heard of this concept. But now that I read this, it seemed like an ideal way of life no?
It is, provided you follow it 🙂 Get’s a bit tough to actually to put it all in place, but the effort is worth it.
Amazing and unique thought that i have came to know about
All the informations are very nice and unique thanks for sharing this