Lessons Learned From Being Intentional

Bill: Last week Susan and I were all about being intentional. Each day we committed to sharing a devotional message with each other and conducting our business for the day focused on our most important priorities. We learned that leading an intentional life goes far beyond a to do list. While lists are important being intentional has more to do with our energy and attitude towards getting the highest priority things done.

We will be the first to admit that we stumbled several times during the week (as if we thought we’d be perfect!). We learned that stumbling didn’t mean failure. What we learned is not to dwell on the stumble, to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and get back in the game.

I want everyone to know that we are not done being intentional. As a matter of fact based on what we learned last week we are more committed than ever to continue to conduct our business and personal lives in this manner. Of course my partner learned some wonderful lessons as well. Susan…

I learned several things about myself this week:

1. It helped me prioritize and keep the most important things first.

2. It helped me to stop and actually declare my intention before I started a project, task or day.

3. Not only did it help me set my attitude for the day, it helped me to keep the attitude I intended no matter what was happening around me.

4. I learned I still have a perfectionist side to me and that I can still have a tendency to beat myself up if I stray from my intention.

5. At the end of the day, I was able to see how well I kept my intentions and revise my intentions for the next day if necessary.

6. It helped me to be present and “in the moment”.

Some examples of being intentional:

1. Before you get out of bed, you can intend to have a fun or productive day.

2. Before you leave the house, you can intend to have quality time with your family or roommate.

3. Before you enter your workplace, you can intend to learn something new or be helpful.

4. Before the meeting begins, you can intend to be brilliant or calm.

So going forward….here are some steps to get you going in the process of Being Intentional:

1. Be specific and clear about something you want. Record it somewhere.

2. Have someone hold you accountable by sharing your intention with someone supportive.

3. Do something today to demonstrate your commitment to your intention.

4. Acknowledge that you did what you said you would and then, take the next step.

By setting an intention, you make it clear to yourself and others, just what you plan to do. Set an intention to redefine what it means to be serious about your dreams.