Live with Intent

As we head into the last quarter of the year, it can be difficult to keep your focus. You may be feeling the pressures of life, physical and mental tiredness, and sometimes the sense that the year has slipped by without much success. These are times when we ask ourselves where the time has gone and what we have achieved this year.

We've all experienced those moments (and sometimes, days, weeks, and months) when life seems to drain our energy and focus, leaving us to merely exist day to day. Let me share with you my journey to regain my focus and energy during these times.

 I have a small sticky note on my desk on which I have written 3 simple words - “Live with Intent.” This is my reminder that every day is an opportunity to live with purpose, to move a step or two closer to my goals, and that life is what I choose to make it. It is not always easy to live with intent when work has demanding deadlines, you are dealing with relationships, your bills are singing your name, and you just want to curl up in bed and hide away.

Living with Intent is what sets you apart from most of the world. Most people have lost their life focus and exist day-to-day. They have lost the desire to chase their dreams, push through the barriers, and be all they can be. The difference between those who succeed and those who settle is Intent. When we let go of intent, we accept that things won't change, and this is all there is to life.  When we embrace intent, we focus on what is important, prioritize our time, and put in the extra effort to achieve the goal. It means that while everyone else is binging the latest series, you are using the time to study, work on your business, or learn a new skill.

Here is a quick 5-step process to living with intent:

1.      Know your goal. What do you want to achieve?

2.      Write your goal. If you cannot write it down, you cannot achieve it.

3.      Create a vision board. This is a board with pictures of what you want to achieve. On each picture, write what that goal looks like if it was achieved. You may want to own a house. Get a picture of the type of house you want and write on it, “I own a home.” Have at least three goals so that you become a more rounded person - but no more than ten; otherwise, it becomes overwhelming. You could have these for several areas of your life – houses, achievements, study, family, finances, and character are a few suggestions.

4.     Talk your goal. Every day for 15 minutes in the morning and evening, look at your vision board and speak out the goals you have written there. Speak them with emotion and confidence—even if you don’t feel them. By speaking them out loud with emotion and confidence, you are training your brain to believe the goal is possible.

5.      Create and follow a plan. What can you do now to begin achieving your goal? Even if it is a stretch goal that seems a long way out there and looks impossible, what can you do to move closer? As you begin to move toward a goal and become focused, you will begin to see how it becomes possible.

Following these steps consistently will help you achieve your goals. Living with Intent means focusing and prioritizing your goals, acknowledging that there are distractions in life, but not letting these take you off your path. If they do push you in a different direction, take the time to refocus and Live with Intent.

To keep Living with Intent, go to www.philkinney.com for helpful resources.