At the start of 2014, I tried something I’ve never done before. I didn’t know if it would work, but figured it was worth a shot, and it proved to be one of the best things I’ve done in a long time.
I chose a key word to describe my year and give it clear direction. My one key word – INTENTIONAL.
I made a choice that I was going to be more intentional than ever before about nearly every area of my life, and I began planning my yearly goals accordingly.
My key verse was Phil. 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God…” and my key thought was this, “When I know what the mark is, I can be intentional about reaching it.”
With that mindset of intentionality, I’ve been able to accomplish more of my goals in the past year than any other year prior. Here are a few of the many things I was able to accomplish this year more consistently than ever before:
- Flossing daily 🙂
- Drinking a lot more water
- Getting up an hour earlier every day
- Running at least twice a week
- Greater consistency in our family devotions
- Increased reading and study time
These things have now become habits of my daily/weekly routine, and I can’t wait to get started on a new list of habits to develop in the coming year.
What more could you accomplish this year if you got more intentional? Here are five things I’ve learned this past year that will help you develop a mindset of intentionality:
1. I can be intentional… If I make a CHOICE.
Intentionality really boils down to a choice – making a decision to do things with purpose on purpose rather than just doing things.
Sometimes it’s very easy to be so busy doing things that we think we are accomplishing something of value, when, if we’re honest, we’re not accomplishing much at all, other than draining our tank and living on empty.
We’re finding our sense of satisfaction through staying busy, but we’ve never really stopped to evaluate what and if we’re really accomplishing anything at all. Being intentional has to start with a choice.
2. I can be intentional… If I put it in my SCHEDULE.
Dave Ramsey often tells of couples who give this testimony about their money, “When we got on a budget, it felt like we got a raise.”
The same is true with our time. Budget your time by telling the hours of your day where to go instead of the other way around. Once you start being the one to tell your time what it’s going to do, you regain control of your life.
At the start of the year I completely “re-budgeted” my weekly schedule to have more control over my time. And let me tell you, it’s been a truly liberating experience. I can honestly say that I feel like I have more hours in the week than I’ve ever had before, because in a sense, I do.
Following this new intentional schedule has freed me up an entire day, sometimes two per week to do the extra things on my task list that I never seemed to have the time for before. This included launching two new websites (KidzBlast.com & this blog) and reading more books than in any previous year.
3. I can be intentional… If I get more ORGANIZED.
Think about that person who you always wonder how in the world they get it all done (books, blogs, ministry, growth, etc.) I’ll guarantee you that they aren’t that way by accident. One of their secrets is that they’ve learned to better budget their time than most other people.
One of the biggest aspects of getting more intentional involves getting more organized. Organization is the child of intentionality.
4. I can be intentional… If I learn to say NO.
Saying yes to one thing means that you have to say no to something else. But on the flip side, saying no to one thing frees you up to say yes to something else.
Learning to say yes to the things that really matter is a discipline of intentionality. I’ve found that this is a constant growing process for me.
5. I can be intentional… If I really WANT to.
Let’s admit it, we all make time for the things in life that really matter to us. And as much as we say otherwise, the things that really matter the most are the things that we make sure get done.
Things that don’t get done are things that we have maybe inadvertently or just carelessly chosen not to make happen.
Often the things that are most important (Godly children, a thriving ministry, a healthy body) get sacrificed on the altar of the things that are most urgent. Don’t allow what is good to keep you from what is best. Get intentional!
I’ve listed the 5 ways that I’ve learned to be more intentional this past year. What are some ways you would add that have helped you become more intentional? I’d love to hear your response. You can leave a comment by clicking here.
And the key word for 2015 is… 🙂
- Thank you for reading this blog. If what you read is an encouragement to you, please share it with others. If you haven’t subscribed yet, I’d encourage you to do so, and receive my FREE 7 Week Kidz 4 Christ Discipleship Course!
