Live Life Intentionally (Faith, Focus & Action)
Live Life Intentionally
Over the years, I have observed that those who accomplish the most in this world are those with a vision for their lives, with goals to keep them focused on their vision and tactical plans for how to achieve them. Knowing where you are going and how you expect to get there can bring meaning, purpose, and accomplishment to life." - Russell M.Ballard
When you’re going around in circles, it’s easy to take out frustration on those closest to you. On the other hand, when you are on your game, you’re feeling much more emotional space.
“Meaning and purpose” (as Ballard discusses above) in your personal life translates to calm, peace, patience and constancy in your marriage.
Live in Vision…
…before the challenge. I see a lot of great people, who I respect, who’ve made some bad decisions. I firmly believe they did so because they didn’t routinely revisit their values (their vision). Their values weren’t front and center in their mind when they faced the challenge, so they made a snap decision, followed a gut response- a re-action (not a pro-action). Focus on your values every morning, every night… Live in the question, “what really matters to me?” Rob Newson - 76ers Vice President of Strategy and Vision
Consider the following aspects of Living Life Intentionally:
1) Return to your vision(s), daily
Living Life Intentionally includes spending a little time each day (and perhaps throughout the day) saying and seeing what you see for your life (family, career, health, spirituality, social life etc.)
You can use a physical Vision Board or google presentations and/or just ask yourself “What do I see?” This can be done in the shower, on a walk, working out, in front of your vision board and/or while praying or meditating.
2) Whenever you focus on your vision, pause to thank God for everything just as it is and for this emerging reality (what you're seeing in your mind and/or your board)- a reality that you are present to but not scratching for- a reality that you have made a space for and are moving toward, but do not need.
3) If inspired, express sorrow to God for blocking what He's been trying to bless you with all along. This simple moment of sorrow can free you from the energy drain of keeping up your excuses and therefore break you out of resistance.
4) Ask God (and thank Him in advance for) the strength to take the steps and develop the habits leading to your vision(s). Ask Him to refine and qualify you for creating what you see.
5) Break goals (visions) down into small, bite sized actions. Dr. John DeMartini says that the number one cause of loss of energy is that our actions are not broken down into small enough pieces. Note that Actions should be “actionable”, meaning the means vs. the end.)
6) Keep your energy up by managing your life and projects (visions) from your lists, not your head.
7) Park planned actions in appropriate lists i.e. “inbox” (when on the run), then "project 1", "project 2", or if it’s daily, in your Habit Tracker or just directly in your Google Calendar (my favorite). Consistently review your lists (and Google Calendar) deciding what you will do today, tomorrow, adjusting due dates, etc. Note that anything that rises to the top of your action lists should go to your Google Calendar.
8) Make decisions vs. gathering clutter- in your mind, your email inbox, your car, your kitchen counter, garage, desktop, anywhere and everywhere. Life is continually coming at you with decisions to make. Make them, or get cluttered to death.
9) Consistently return to and act on your action lists and/or Calendar. By doing this, your mind builds trust in your commitment to your lists and Calendar and stops waking you up at 3 in the morning to remind you to do something.
10) Be satisfied and trusting with “one thing at a time.” God has your back for tomorrow. He has your back for 5 minutes from now. Live in the present. Focus on this one thing, that is right now, and then the next. “All is well!"
11) Finally, put first things first and get into high leverage action - As Mel Robbins says, grab yourself by the shirt and force yourself away from secondary distractions and on to the key actions that lead to what you want. Work like there’s no tomorrow- like this is it. Because it is.
In all of the above, remember that success awaits those who are consistent- not just those that are more talented, or better looking, or smarter etc.- no! Success awaits the consistent. The only thing that can keep you from your objective is getting off the path that leads to it. Stay on the path. Keep your eye on your visions (your goals). In your willingness to serve on this planet and with God as your partner, endless good things are possible through you.
Important Notes
1) Fuzzy Vision
Starting a vision board or deciding to spend a little time each day meditating on what you see for your life, can sometimes feel a little fuzzy. That’s O.K.! Please consider trusting the process. Your soul truly thrives on having specific goals and living into compelling visions. But because it’s hard to steer a parked car, sometimes you just have to get out some paper, entitle it “Here’s what I want” and/or “Here’s what I see for me life” and just start writing.
If you are in this fuzzy category right now, consider getting out the paper or turning on the computer and doing a major jump start by writing down as many things as you can in 10 minutes. Ready? Set! Go!
2) Your vision board includes images and affirmations regarding your goals and the actions leading to these goals. Your Habit Tracker is a mini Action Board for listing and tracking the repeating actions (habits) leading to your goal. Consider being present to it your Habit Tracker, morning, noon, and evening.