There are times, in our lives, when everything seems to fall into place, almost magically. An unexpected romance approaches us at a party, a phone call from an old acquaintance results in an exciting job offer, we stumble into a new hobby we uniquely excel in, or the lottery ticket we picked up at the convenience store hits every number.
But for the most part, that is not how life works. Instead, the good things in life we achieve and become are the result of intentional effort pursuing those things.
The person we want to be doesn’t just happen by accident—it doesn’t unexpectedly approach us at a party.
Even in the examples above, as has often been repeated, “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” So maybe those rare moments in life when everything seems to fall into place were actually the result of innumerable intentional actions taken in the past.
The second law of thermodynamics states that “as one goes forward in time, the degree of disorder of any system will always increase (or at least stay the same).” In other words, without constant attention and reordering, our lives will trend towards chaos, rather than order.
That is why it is so important that each of us live intentional lives—focused, discerning, disciplined—each and every day.
The person we want to be won’t happen by accident. We need to take steps toward it.
- If you want to be healthy and eat well, that doesn’t just happen by accident. It requires discipline in our diet and physical fitness.
- If you want a successful marriage, it requires work and effort and patience and faithfulness.
- If you want to be an intentional parent, that requires constant attention and selflessness.
- If you want to get out of debt, that requires a budget and sacrifice and moderation.
- If you want to live a minimalist life focused on the things that matter most, that doesn’t just happen by accident. It requires focus and the ability to live different than society around us.
Who do you want to be ten years from now? However you choose to answer that question, you will only arrive there if you take action to make it a reality.
Now, what specific steps must be taken in order to achieve that? That can be tough to answer, certainly.
But we do know one thing: It won’t happen by accident. It will require action.
And there are different approaches to achieve that:
—James Clear will encourage you to get 1% better each day.
—Kendra Adachi would advise you to repeat ridiculously small steps.
—Gretchen Rubin thinks looking back at your past will help you formulate a plan for the future.
—Leo Babauta encourages you to find a trigger event each day to help form a habit.
—Emily Freeman says just do the next right thing.
As for me? I’d encourage you to pick three healthy habits and accomplish them each day and remind you that the best thing you can do is decide to show up in your own life.
There are countless books and articles that can be read about forming habits and self-improvement (this blog included). But none of them help until we realize their importance in our lives.
So let me ask again: Who do you want to be ten years from now?
And what are the chances that is just going to happen by accident?
You need to act to make your future you a reality. And I’d recommend starting today.
Your future you will be here before you realize it—might as well be the one you want it to be.
Kodey WhiteWolf says
With you in my life (thru your posts/articles) helps keeps me in touch & focused. Living in a not same focused environment sometimes I vere off. So glad I did the major work years ago so I can jump back on easily 😁
Alessandro says
your blog is always source of motivation. Thank you
prk says
Good stuff! But I wish I’d found u 10 years ago cuz now I’m just too tired ??♀️
Tina says
We have to separate wants from needs. We may need to eat a sandwich or a vegetable. We don’t need a box of cookies or a pint of ice cream. I went from four bins of hobby supplies to two bins. I only need five T shirts. If there is still plenty of stuff in my two bedroom condo, how much stuff is there in your five bedroom house? We own one small car. My daughter walks to work four days a week. Some people work from home. Minimizing is good for us.
Sondra says
Joshua, thank you so much for your wisdom and inspiration to live our best lives. I look forward to reading your words.
I did want to mention that when I open my email to your blog Becoming Minimalist, your byline does not appear under the title, and I don’t know if it’s you or a guest writer who is speaking. It does appear when I click on the link that takes me to your page. I can, of course, do that, but I just wanted to makes sure you were aware of that omission. I didn’t know if it was intentional.
joshua becker says
Gotcha. I hear you. Every article is written by me unless the blog post is introduced by Note: This guest post is written by …
I write 75-80% of the articles on Becoming Minimalist, so I only point out when it isn’t me writing.
TL says
With respect to what is said here, iis the difference between “goal” and “accident”?
Greg says
Thanks, Josh. Amazing!
Rhonda says
I can’t remember the time I said ” I wished for”. It has always been up to me until the different factors that involved occur. I am a childhood trauma survivor and have sleeping problems. My main support is the sleep therapy I have been going through since after early years of this problem. I can’t concentrate for too long when I am in the Broom. My son has the same problem and has to stay home all day playing games. Just to say there is no way to know what is the future hold. I wouldn’t.
Lynn Yarbrough says
Your future you will be here before you realize it—might as well be the one you want it to be. Definitely a profound statement! I have spent my entire adult life “waiting for someday”, what a precious waste of life and time! I am now 63 years of age and I’m still waiting for my ship to dock but I think it has sunk. The “do it now” principle is wise advice and certainly not “one of these days or I’ll do it tomorrow, live life now!
K says
To Josh—much needed reminder to stay focused, my personal weakness due to lifelong ADD. Thank you :)
To Lynn— I can identify completely ! We are only a couple of years apart, and I can look in the rear view mirror and see soooo many years that I was just “waiting” for my heart’s desire to happen; I have asked the Lord many times to redeem all the years the locusts have eaten and to help me remain focused ( see previous paragraph) and deliberate and very close to Him each day until I go to be with Him.
Blessings.
Deb says
Thank you for the reminder about God redeeming the years the locusts have eaten. I needed to hear that today.
Diane says
You talk of a ship which has sunk. It’s just invisible to you. But it’s right around you, in any people you talk to, food, music, sun, nature, etc. see Maslow’s pyramid. I’m always spending my life in that order. Do I have food, water, warmth? Are my wants being met? What are my needs, etc. Who can I show love to today?
Bob says
Nothing wrong with being off track, personally. It may takes longer for some people, divergences happen. I was asked the same question in my first job interview. Was promoted to be in charge, then it eventually didn’t happen, well. Now, would love to take an early retirement and probably will, asap
Sarah says
Love this!!