Some time ago, I started a blog. I was super pumped about the topic, writing new blog posts, and connecting with other bloggers. I wrote about 5 blog posts in the first month. Then, I took a hiatus.
Unintentionally, the hiatus lasted over 3 years. Whoops!
At one point or another, each of us gets excited about a new idea or project, but we don’t always follow through.
Ever been there?
There are too many distractions and, if we let them, they can make us lose focus. So, how do we prevent distractions from, well, distracting us?
Living intentionally.
To me, being intentional means two things:
- To be constantly aware of your priorities; and
- To make sure your daily activities are congruent with these priorities.
The following 3 questions help me live with intention on a daily basis.
1. How will I reinforce my values today?
Our values reflect who we genuinely are and who we strive to be. But, if we are not making a conscious effort to maintain these values daily, we may lose sight of them. Since they vary from one person to another, the first step is to identify what is important to you. Here are some examples:
- Become an effective leader and an awesome husband
- Be generous, with my time and money
- Maintain a grateful heart and mind
- Daily personal growth (e.g., I will read for 90 minutes today)
- Remain physically healthy (e.g., today, I will exercise for 50 minutes)
- Maintain a positive attitude even in the face of today’s uncertainty
“How will I reinforce my values today?” Seriously considering this question daily forces us to align our thoughts and actions to make decisions that are consistent with these values. When these principles are reinforced, we live genuinely, true to who we are, and committed to the vision of the person we aspire to be.
2. Which tasks do I need to finish today?
To effectively address this question, we must first identify our goals and priorities; outline the tasks needed to reach these goals; organize tasks and subtasks in a logical order; and schedule realistic deadlines for these tasks.
Reaching a goal never happens by coincidence; it does not happen automatically. It takes daily action. It requires being intentional in focus, productivity, and discipline to focus on completing important tasks and postpone other ones.
As we complete important tasks daily, each day brings us closer to our intended goals.
3. How will I continue to learn and grow today?
Personal growth helps people become the best version of themselves. In fact, a daily commitment to personal growth and development is critical to achieve one’s true potential.
I have decided to be intentional about learning and growing daily.
Given the number of opportunities available to us to waste time, it is important to be intentional on how you use your time. Since I have committed to daily learning and growth, I have developed a daily growth plan.
My daily growth plan includes reading books/blogs (usually during lunch and in evenings), listening to an audiobook (during commute), or listening to a podcast (during commute and/or at night). In addition, I devote some time for reflection to glean important lessons from my experiences and to identify areas to improve.
Now, it’s your turn…
In the comments section below, please share tips that help you live intentionally.
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