Hi! Are you ready for Step 2? Hopefully, you have worked through Step 1 on how to live an intentional life and feel confident about where you’re headed. Now we need to create the life you have designed. Does that sound weird to you? It’s okay if it does. We are training our brains which feels awkward in the beginning just like with anything else we are doing for the first time. New exercise regimen? Parenting? Public speaking? New Job? Marriage? Riding a bike? Positive self-talk? Remember, nothing feels natural in the beginning.
Why is this important? Because life is what we make it. If we sit back and just let life happen, chances are we will be less than thrilled with the end result. Our lives are full of distractions, mundane tasks, doubts and long to do lists. In order to see the results we desire, we must be intent on creating the way.
Simple and quick example:
Let’s say the goal is to visit Italy in 5 years. Sounds wonderful, right? But rather than setting incremental savings goals, getting a passport or researching travel plans we just float along. Nothing changes in our daily routine. Our morning Starbucks run, the extra Amazon purchases, lavish Birthday parties, take-out for dinner, etc. I’m going to bet that when we are finally ready to start planning that trip, our budget isn’t what we need it to be or we’re required to make large sacrifices, passports take longer than expected or that hotel we had our heart set on isn’t available.
How do we avoid doing the same thing with life? You guessed it. Intention.
Step 2 – How to live an intentional life is all about setting goals.
Here is our homework this week. Choose 5 goals that align with the look and feeling of the life you described last week.
A few examples:
“I want my life to have more adventure.”
Plan a trip. Write a business plan. Create a savings goal.
“I picture more family time. Peaceful home. Annual vacations.”
Audit your schedule and make plans for adjustments. Create a daily routine to adhere to.
“I want to be a stay at home mom in 3 years.”
Pay off specific amount of debt. Start a side business.
“I want to live an active, healthy life.”
Create an exercise plan. Specific amount of hikes in a year. Run a 1/2 marathon.
Make sure the goals are S.M.A.R.T. (This acronym was first written down by George T. Doran – google will tell you more)
S – Specific. M – Measurable. A – Attainable. R- Relevant. T- Time-based.
Other than being SMART, don’t worry about exactly how you’ll reach that goal. We’ll get to that. Just write your goals down and make sure they align with the life you previously designed.
You got this beautiful lady! Have a wonderful day!!
Jess
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