“The quality of your commitments will determine the course of your life.” —Ralph Marston
Not long ago, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of high school students on the topic of “Don’t Waste Your Life.” Among the advice I shared with them, one truth stood out as the most important theme: “Don’t just drift through life. Instead, live with intention and purpose.”
It’s a lesson that can’t be learned too soon, and I believe it’s one of the most important principles for anyone to embrace—regardless of ago.
Because when you think about it, living with intention is the necessary foundation for both a simple and meaningful life.
In a world that’s noisy, hectic, and constantly in motion, simplicity is countercultural. Minimalism doesn’t follow the world’s obsession with excess, consumption, and self-indulgence. And in a society that’s always wanting more, choosing to be satisfied with less is definitely a radical act.
But living intentionally will never happen by accident. It always requires us to both lay a solid foundation and build practical habits on top of it. Both steps are important.
First, we lay the foundation in our life for more intentional living.
Here’s how to do that:
1. Realize that your life is made up of choices.
Every day, we wake up with the opportunity to make decisions. Every morning we have the power to choose our attitude, our actions, and the direction of our life.
Nobody can take that decision away from you. Not even yourself.
Your past doesn’t need to dictate your future. The patterns you’ve fallen into can be broken. Every new day is a fresh start, and with it comes the chance to live differently. So don’t be passive—realize you have the ability to shape your life.
2. Evaluate the culture around you.
Nobody lives in a vacuum. We are all living within the current of a culture that is pulling us in one direction or another. Living with intention means stepping back and evaluating where that current is leading.
Is it aligning with the life you want to live? Or is it pushing you further from your values and goals? Take time to examine how the culture around you is influencing your decisions and whether you need to step out of that flow to pursue something more meaningful. That’s one of the reasons I think solitude (time away from culture) is so important.
3. Examine yourself.
Self-reflection is essential to living with purpose. You need to know who you are—your passions, your strengths, your weaknesses, your tendencies, your talents, your abilities.
This self-awareness helps you make decisions that align with your true self, rather than what others expect of you. Spend time understanding what drives you and what holds you back. It’s one of the most valuable investments you can make.
Second, we add practical steps to implement that foundation.
1. Decide to live your own life.
Stop comparing yourself to others. You weren’t born to live someone else’s life, and there’s no sense in wasting your own being envious of theirs.
Embrace your unique journey. Your life is yours to live—make the most of it. Remember, we only get one shot at our reaching our full potential, and living someone else’s definition of success won’t get you there.
2. Define your purpose.
What do you want your life to stand for? What do you want to contribute to the world? Find a cause or passion bigger than yourself and commit to it.
Getting clear on this will bring clarity to your decisions and actions. After all, how can we determine where to spend our time or money unless we know what we want to accomplish with our life?
Purpose helps you wake up every morning with direction and meaning. Define it, write it down, and revisit it often.
In my book, Things That Matter, I include Workbook Exercises on Discovering Your Purposes. The exercises asks readers to reflect on some of the questions listed here (plus others) to determine their purpose in life. If you are wondering what your purpose is in life, I recommend it.
3. Set goals that align with your purpose.
Goals give us direction and shape our actions. Once you’ve defined your purpose, set clear goals that move you toward it. If “purpose” is where you want your life to end up, “goals” are the stepping stones along the way to get you there.
Goals also help generate a sense of movement and help keep you on track. When your goals align with your purpose, every step you take becomes more meaningful.
4. Stay focused.
In a world of constant distraction, staying focused is one of the greatest challenges. Social media, television, and the endless stream of notifications are all competing for your attention. To live intentionally, you need to guard your focus.
Learn to disconnect from distractions that don’t serve your purpose. Turn off the TV, step away from social media, and clear out the physical clutter that drains your time and energy. The more you simplify your surroundings, the easier it is to stay focused on what matters.
5. Learn from others.
One of the best ways to grow is to learn from people who are already living with intention. Intentional people are both curious and humble—they recognize the value of learning from others. Identify people who are living out your values and goals, and study their habits and strategies. Surround yourself with people who inspire you to live your life with purpose, and you’ll find it easier to stay on course.
The worst thing you could ever waste is your life. Instead, commit yourself to intentional living and living with purpose.
I understand how you feel, and I know it’s hard but I want you to try your best to get up and do what should be done, give it your all, I know you have big dreams, and you deserve a better life, get up and strive and keep pushing till you get it… It’s okay to be tired, but as long as you keep going, progress is still progress, no matter how slow. Restart, Reset and Refocus as many times as yo
u want, But never stop trying. I Love You. May Allah bless you
Greatly worded!
Thank you for your insightful emails, this one especially resonates with me. To live intentionally has always been my goal, I feel I have succeeded more often than not in my life and career. My personal life has been a constant struggle, so I will do the work you suggested to sort it out for good.
I have met a wonderful person who actually lives by this premise and I admire him immensely. I truly aspire to be able to guard my focus too and live all areas of my life intentionally.
Praise God that every new day is a gift and another chance to live with intent.
Thank you for another inspiring article. Just want you to know how much we appreciate your wise insight. Such a blessing and spot on because the Lord definitely had a purpose in mind when He created each one of us. May He direct our steps to find that purpose and may it bring Him glory and honor!
I struggle with this so much. I have a problem with sleep – I can’t quite get behind it, might be my Depression. Not sure! I work ten-hour shifts, we have to, and I sleep at least ten hours every night. Ten hours isn’t necessary!! I just cannot get up. I mean, ten hours plus lunchbreak at work, and then add to that ten hours of sleep, sometimes more – that leaves me with THREE hours to live my life – if not less than that. I have tried getting something I want to do in the morning. But I still can’t get up. Iron levels are okay. It’s not a way to live one’s life. I am wasting good years! I have a feeling it’s rooted psychologically.
Point on!! It’s taken me a while but with guidance such as yours.. I’m waking up with absolute purpose. Thank you Josh for such thought filled messages. ????????????????
I skimmed through this article first and then went back and read it thoughtfully. At 74 years old living a simplified intentional life there’s not anything new to me in this article. However it’s very good to go back and reaffirm the habits and lifestyle choices that make this the best years of my life even with all the physical ailments and limitations I have in this season of life. I thank God for His loving kindness and new morning mercies every day. Thank you for so much sound, practical advice to get here.
Thank you, once again, Joshua, Becker! Your principles of changed my life! I shared your name with so many of my friends!! They are inspired by your videos and our closet as well!! Thank you so much and please keep them coming!
Thank you for this. It is so easy to bog oneself down with our circumstances that we forget such small things as being in control of our attitude. It takes nothing to smile and be grateful, and oh what a change that can make in our day. Literally choosing the small things, creates more joy-and when we have more joy, our attitude improves and it’s a snowball effect. Before you know it, we are making other changes, like the ones you mention and a lot of those times, others are positively affected by us as a result. It’s a win-win! If people would just commit to starting their day with a smile and purposeful attitude, regardless of their situation, they would begin to see changes. Everyone can at least do that much. Thank you!
I’m 71 years old, recently divorced and trying to find my place in the world. Every day offers new opportunities for growth. I don’t have cable or network TV, I never listen to the news (tho I do get it in my inbox each day). First thing in the AM, I put on some music and let the day carry me where it will. I’ve embraced the minimalist lifestyle after my other moved out and took his plethora of stuff with him. A great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I gave away about 75% of my clothing, kitchen stuff and other things that were just taking up space. Such a wonder feeling!
Good for you! I’m glad you are now living life as it should’ve always been.
God bless you on your new journey. You sound like a very capable woman who will enjoy the remainder of her life immensely.
Joshua, I follow you a bit and I like much of what you write.
Much of what you write, in fact, inspires me and keeps me re-focussing on my own trajectory. Thank You!
Self-Help and Simplification topics are always more easily understood (and more easily acted upon) when approached from the “I’m in the club” perspective….
(meaning those who have already at least discovered the values that you espouse…and hope to move further in their general direction…)
…
But DO realize that when you write things like
“Realize that your life is made up of choices. Every morning is a new day full of decisions and opportunities. You get to pick your attitude and your decisions. You don’t have to let the circumstances of your past negatively determine the pattern of your life in the future. You have a choice in the matter. You do not need to be stuck in the same pattern of living that you have been for years… realize that every morning is a new opportunity”. …
…realize that you speak from a perspective, and that not everyone who would love to learn of your perspective COME’S from the same direction….
For many, perhaps even MOST,…a flippant change of direction or move to other choices, a redirected attitude……may be currently well outside of their control, given the circumstances they now live in….
Many of your posts, blog entries, etc. are preaching to the choir.
I already know and believe in what you espouse, you needn’t convince ME….
But if you REALLY want to help others, to introduce others….I think you need to get your head around where THEY are, instead of constantly trying to convince them of the upside of where YOUR head is.
Cleaning out a closet is just great, really, but how will you convince someone who does not have the Time, Money, Energy, etc….to “start”?
Folks are BURIED.
How can you help them uncover themselves so that they may then eventually see the light and begin to understand why consumerism is not any kind of an answer?
You need to go to them, and walk them out, not toss out great content hoping they will eventually mature into it.
How should they START?
Nice work as always – Jim in NC
Thanks for the feedback. I don’t write from a posture of “where MY head is.” I try to write thoughts that are universally true – regardless if people already believe them or not. For me, that’s the point of writing, introduce people to truth. It is true that “your life is made up of choices. Every morning is a new day full of decisions and opportunities. You get to pick your attitude and your decisions. You don’t have to let the circumstances of your past negatively determine the pattern of your life in the future. You have a choice in the matter.” And so I will write it and people will read it – and they will be drawn to it or they will not – and it will true tomorrow whether they accept it or not.
That was my favorite line of the post! “Every morning is a new day full of decisions and opportunities. You get to pick your attitude and your decisions.” It was a great reminder and I immediately checked my current attitude and chose to be grateful and happy. I feel empowered to be in control of my future. Thank you!
This is very true, for some its hard to understand this particular concept. Most people are run by greed, power, and lust. That saying “your things own u, u don’t own them” is a true statement. It can be scary to learn that what you have known your whole life is not the way to truly be happy and content. The universe will provide and give you signs if you set that intention and listen to your heart. Its just so ingrained in most people (especially Americans) because we live in a world where your value comes from the things you have or how you look. Its why most people are so unhappy!!! Slow down, take stock, and make the appropriate adjustments! You will feel so happy and fulfilled! We are all here to learn, grow, and love! Its the true purpose of life. We can’t take our things with us when we leave this world. You will feel terrified in the end if this is how you live your life! Experiences are what gives us a zest for life! Find something you love and make a career out of it. You will never work a day in your life! Never be afraid to take chances. Most people are afraid of what we don’t understand. Its where ignorance, fear, and hate comes from. If you take chances and truly listen to your heart those chances that are taken will always work! The universe always provides when you have true good intentions!
Thank you for this. Since we tend to forget easily it does Help refresh my memory every time I read it.
JIM not everyone is supposed to “get it”. What is being offered by any blog is the opportunity to add to your idea toolbox. It is a choice to do so, not a must. You can also choose to not embrace the ideas as well. Every one is ultimately responsible for themselves. I would think that this blog is ment to help people by adding to their toolbox of thinking. How someone arrives when they read is not the responsibility of the author.
Jim, we all come from a different place so reaching our goals may need a different path for each person, but that doesn’t mean they’re unachievable. I think speaking to young school aged people is such a great thing to do. You never know who will be inspired and each may take away some or all. I wish I had that inspiration from a young age.
Thank you for writing this! I couldn’t agree more. The style of writing is so “preachy.” Not sure that it’s on purpose but it sure comes off that way. So much so that I can hardly read it anymore. It always sounds judgmental and oversimplified.
I have been living in the same pattern of life and I desire to live a purposeful life. Your words have encouraged me to change my attitude and start living intentionally.
Spoken words that books won’t teach you!! thank you for this post.
so grateful for reading this post. The world need more and more of such posts to remind and wake people up that living with no purpose and intention or confused along the way. This is really inspiring posts.
This is awesome. I am sure reading at least 10 times more. It’s great!!
GREAT WORK. Permission to share this on my radio programme.
With acknowledgement.
You could also read How to Find Fulfilling Work by the School of Life for some career focused tips.
What a wonderful post! Thank you for the reminders of what is truly important! I have a heart’s desire for living with less, but have not achieved a true minimalist lifestyle yet. I recognize the importance of less, esp as it relates to the home. It’s a constant mindset change, and it can be easy to let clutter creep back into my life if I don’t stay mindful.
I am an interior designer with a passion for helping people learn to love their homes. I admin a Facebook group for discussions about interior design, DIY projects, and decluttering. I would love to share your post, and some of your quotes on the Facebook group. (Please let me know if that would be ok)
I enjoyed this article. As far as examining myself, learning who I am, could you please suggest a good book on how to do that precisely? Shouldn’t be rocket science, but I don’t know how to approach this…
Try The Search for Significance by Robert S McGee. It has made a huge difference for me. Have a great journey!
as a Christian, I found “The Purpose Driven Life” the best book to help answer those questions. It covers quite a bit of that material based on the Bible. The expanded updated edition is titled “What on Earth Am I Here For”. I understand that this blog is followed by people that come from many places as far as faith is concerned but this has certainly helped me.
I loved Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak. If you don’t already, begin journal writing, as well. Start with just a few things you are grateful for and go from there. Journal writing allows you to reflect back on thoughts and feelings in a somewhat concrete way. You could write about what went well and what didn’t that day, who was a support, what did you learn, what are your hopes…all the best to you!
I agree, but it’s also wise to ‘keep in mind’ that “life sometimes happens when we’re making other plans’ and yes sometimes random stuff happens that we cannot control.
Thanks for the powerful word of advice. Now I know how to finish strong
Great encouragement Mr. Becker. God bless you.
Know thyself. Ancient wisdom that will eternally ring true.