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.
Jane Vankuren says
Hot off the press is your newest message! You are so good to us by giving us fresh inspirations that just jump off the page and into our huge in-basket of great ideas. Thank you.
Mario says
Couldn’t take my eyes off the page and I read your comment there was a aha ! Good point, can’t agree more with you.
Sarah Vogel says
I agree with Judy above….my husband and I moved to a retirement community in southern Utah two years ago, and immediately said, “What now?” There is an amazingly low amount of clarity of direction in retirees nowadays, but that is changing. The realization that we are going to (hopefully!) live another 30 years compared to our parents’ retirement, we hope to blaze the trail for intentional living in our BEST years. Your article will be shared and talked about in our group of friends. Life will pass us by and regret will set upon us if we don’t make the most of each day, intentionally and with purpose. Thank you for your insightful and wisdom-filled message. We appreciate you!
Marcio Pereira says
Thank you so much!
Perfect timing.
I have been sharing your blog with a some people who are interested in the subject, I have people telling me how much they love it, a friend that happens to be an Architect, who lives in a stunning appartment with Riverside Park views who Just told me he finally started a home project that have being on his mind for a very long time, the project is in it’s 4th month, “slow for his standards” but nonetheless a major mile stone, the smile on his face and the light he exuded when he talked about it, was just rewardind to me, I never would have thought that my sharing your blog would have had this impact on him, especially considering I never saw anything in his apartment that could indicate this kind of layer going on there.
As for me, reading your newsletters is becoming a habit forming thing as part of my dose of health food for the brain, thus increasing mindfulness and quality time in my life.
All the best, sincerely.
Marcio
Lisa Kuettle says
Intention moves mountains when we simply take the next step. I share these type of posts on my lifestyle medicine page. An important component of physical, mental, emotional, financial, and intellectual health.
Heidi says
“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.” It is a really spaced out goal at this time. Thanks, Josh!
Keith Hajovsky says
“The person we want to be doesn’t just happen by accident—it doesn’t unexpectedly approach us at a party.”
great line!
joshua becker says
Thanks.
Marion Allan says
I love this Josh and the timing is exquisite! I’ve been asking myself over the past week the very question “Where do you want to be in 10 years time?” The one step missing for me is the actual vision of who and where I want to be before I start to take steps. You are right it won’t happen by itself but I’m also thinking that I’m not sure where I want to be so I better sort that out first before taking action forward! So…into some journaling and visioning first. Thanks for the great read!
Sarah says
Thank you!
Andiswa says
Important questions you’re asking there Josh!
Lorena Barzanti says
I am super grateful for your positive advice and encouragement. I know I’m still a long way From where I want to be with this but I definitively don’t feel lost and without focus anymore instead I’m feeling very inspired THANK YOU!
Judy says
Joshua—- you gave me a lot to think about—- and a game plan. Thank you!!! This is one of my favorite posts from you.