“The quality of your commitments will determine the course of your life.” – Ralph Marston
Recently, I spoke to a room full of high school students on the topic of “Don’t Waste Your Life.” Among the advice that I gave them, I offered this nugget of truth: “Don’t just drift through life. Live with intention and purpose.” I believe that is one of the most important lessons that a person can learn—and the sooner we get it, the better.
Living a simple life certainly requires intentional living.
In a world that is hectic, busy, and hurried, simplicity is not. In a culture that encourages selfishness and excess, minimalist living does not. And in a society that is rushing to gain more, satisfaction with less is counter-cultural.
To begin living with intention, we must begin by laying a proper foundation and then add practical steps on top of it.
First, Lay the Foundation.
- 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.
- Evaluate the culture that you’re swimming in. Life is not lived in a vacuum. It is lived surrounded by a culture that is moving somewhere. This culture around us forms a swift downstream current. Living with intention will require you to take a step back and evaluate the flow of the stream to determine where it is headed, how it is affecting you, and if it is taking you in a direction you desire.
- Examine yourself. Know who you are. Get a strong handle on your passions, talents, abilities, and weaknesses. Give precious time and energy to this endeavor. It is one of the most valuable things you can do.
Second, Add Practical Steps.
- Decide to live your life. Stop comparing yourself to others. You were not born to live their life. There is no sense in wasting yours being jealous of theirs. Instead, you were born to live your life – determine today to be good at it. After all, you only get one shot.
- Define a purpose. Identify what you want your life to communicate and contribute. Find a passion to live for that is bigger than yourself. Write it down. It will bring new meaning to your life. It will wake you from the slow death of only living for yourself.
- Set goals. Goals move us and goals shape us. Set goals that are directly in line with your defined purpose. By their very nature, they will introduce intentionality into your life.
- Stay focused. We live in a world of constant connectivity and distraction that is begging for our attention nearly every moment of the day. Learn to turn off the distraction and live your life instead. Turn off the tv and don’t read gossip magazines. Remove nonessential physical belongings that are robbing you of time and energy that could be better spent living with intention.
- Learn from others. Successful people are curious people. They possess the humility to learn from others. Identify people accomplishing your purpose and goals. Then, study them and learn from them.
The worst thing you could ever waste is your life. Instead, commit yourself to intentional living and living with purpose.
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 truly believe the first 2 steps to laying the foundation of an intentional life include clarifying your values and training your mind to stay in the present moment. Being clear on your personal core values will help with making choices, and the ability to stay in the present moment will contribute to more self-awareness.
I love this post! I have been unknowingly been doing this the past two years. I documented my journey living on my blog. Here I cover the importance of emotional intelligence and focusing on yourself.
Thank you for this post. I’ve read it three times today!
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)