As 2018 begins, it is nearly impossible to make it longer than a few minutes without some mention of a New Year’s Resolution. Whether it’s an ad on TV, radio, or online, we are constantly bombarded by the concept of a big, grand resolution. Many New Year’s Resolutions are made with the best of intentions, but are quickly abandoned. Why is that? Perhaps it is because people set huge, almost-impossible resolutions for themselves.
This year, instead of the over-the-top resolution, consider being more mindful + intentional in 2018.
What does it mean to be intentional?
Living your life intentionally means something different for everyone. At its core, though, living intentionally means being purposeful in what you do and what you say. How can you be purposeful and intentional in the things you do? Consider this: when you live intentionally, you approach each day with a fresh perspective, ready to embrace what the day may bring. It also helps you guide your daily actions and routines.
If you’ve ever felt like you’ve been in a toxic place, a place where you are not in control, or where life happens to you, this mindshift will come as a breath of fresh air. When you live intentionally, you are actively making choices that you want to make and that ultimately bring you fulfillment and happiness.
How can you live more intentionally?
Living intentionally doesn’t require a a grandiose personal makeover or an overnight change. The beauty of being intentional is that it comes in small, deliberate steps. What makes these deliberate steps so effective, though, is that each one is done with a specific goal in mind. What that goal is is up to you. Perhaps you are trying to live a bit more simply or you want to spend more time with friends and loved ones.
As you embark on your journey to living more intentionally, every step of the way you can ask yourself, “Does this action get me closer to my goal?” By continually framing your words and actions in this way, you’ll experience the transformative effect of living intentionally can have on your life.
First + foremost, be kind to yourSELF.
To quote an old cliche, remember: “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Changing the way you go about your day-to-day is not something that will happen overnight. But remember that it won’t happen at all if you are not able to forgive yourself for the missteps and mistakes that are bound to happen as you begin to live your life with intention.
Sometimes, you will say or do something and look back on it and say, “That is not how to live intentionally.” And that is okay! When that happens, own it, recognize it, and most importantly: Learn from it! These are not mistakes or missteps, but important moments for learning and self-growth. Allowing yourself to be forgiven will only help you on your new path to growth and intention.
Whatever your overarching goals to getting the most out of this year may be, remember: good things come in small packages! By remembering that small, incremental changes can make a big difference over time, you will be well on your way to living your life with more intention. And when you do, you will be amazed at how your perception of the world (and how you interact with it) will change.