Intentional Living

1. Your Life Is a Story: Choose Significance

To be significant, all you have to do is make a difference with others wherever you are, with whatever you have, day by day.

Everyone has a story. Your life is a narrative waiting to be written, and you are the author. It's not just about the events that happen to you, but how you choose to respond and what you choose to create. The question is, what kind of story do you want to tell? Do you want it to be a story of significance, one that matters to others and leaves a positive impact on the world?

Significance is not fame. It's not about being rich, famous, or winning awards. It's about making a difference in the lives of others, wherever you are, with whatever you have, day by day. It's about choosing to live intentionally, using your everyday life to bring about positive change. It's about recognizing that your life has value and that you can make a difference.

You are the author. You have the power to fill the pages of your life with kind acts, good thoughts, and matters of your heart. You can choose to live a life that matters, a life of significance. It's not about waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect opportunity. It's about starting now, where you are, with what you have.

2. Intentional Living Bridges the Gap

When you intentionally use your everyday life to bring about positive change in the lives of others, you begin to live a life that matters.

Good intentions are not enough. Many people have good intentions, but they never act on them. They see the problems in the world and say, "Something should be done about that," but they don't take action themselves. Intentional living is the bridge that crosses the gap between knowing and doing. It's about making a conscious decision to live a life that matters.

Intentional living is action-oriented. It's about moving from desire to action, from wishing to doing. It's about having a purpose and a strategy, and then following through with discipline and consistency. It's about making a conscious choice to live each day with purpose and to use your everyday life to bring about positive change in the lives of others.

Intentional living is a lifestyle. It's not something you do occasionally; it's a way of life. It's about making a conscious decision to live each day with purpose and to use your everyday life to bring about positive change in the lives of others. It's about making a habit of choosing action over passivity, discipline over emotion, and significance over success.

3. Start Small, Believe Big: The Power of a Single Step

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Small beginnings, big impact. You don't have to be a big person to have a big idea. You don't have to do big things to make a big difference. Every great achievement starts with a single step. It's about being willing to start small, wherever you are, with whatever you have. It's about taking that first step, even if it seems insignificant at the time.

Ordinary things done well. Significance often comes from doing ordinary things extraordinarily well. It's about focusing on the small things, the everyday actions that can make a difference in the lives of others. It's about being willing to do the ordinary things better than anyone else.

Believe in your potential. You have the power to make a difference, regardless of your background, circumstances, or abilities. You have unique skills, talents, and experiences that can be used to help others. It's about believing in yourself and your ability to make a positive impact on the world.

4. Find Your Why: Purpose Fuels Significance

Once you find your why, you will be able to find your way.

Purpose is your compass. Your "why" is your purpose, your reason for being. It's the driving force behind your actions and the source of your passion. When you know your why, you have a clear direction in life, and you can make sense of everything on your journey. It's the fuel that keeps you going when things get tough.

Your why is unique. Your purpose is not something you can borrow from someone else. It's something you must discover for yourself. It's about looking inward, exploring your passions, and identifying what truly matters to you. It's about finding the intersection of your gifts, your values, and the needs of the world.

Your why guides your way. Once you know your why, your path becomes clearer. You can make decisions with greater confidence and purpose. You can focus your energy on the things that truly matter, and you can make a greater impact on the world. Your why is the key to unlocking your full potential and living a life of significance.

5. Put Others First: The Path to True Fulfillment

If you will first help others get what they want, they will help you get what you want.

Selflessness is the key. True fulfillment comes from putting others first. It's about shifting your focus from yourself to others, from your needs to their needs. It's about recognizing that your life is not just about you, but about how you can serve and add value to others.

Give before you receive. The law of nature is that you cannot reap without sowing. You must give first, before you expect to receive. When you put others first, you are letting them know that you believe their lives matter. And when you do that, they will reciprocate and show more interest in you.

Significance is about others. It's not about what you can get, but what you can give. It's about making a difference in the lives of others, and in doing so, you will find true fulfillment and meaning in your own life. It's about understanding that your life is not just about you, but about how you can serve and add value to others.

6. Add Value from Your Sweet Spot: Unleash Your Unique Potential

One is not born into the world to do everything, but to do something.

Find your one thing. Everyone has a unique gift, a talent, or a skill that they do better than anything else. It's about finding your "one thing" and focusing on it. It's about identifying your strengths and using them to add value to others. It's about staying in your sweet spot, where you can make the greatest impact.

Your talent is your leverage. Your unique skills and abilities are the leverage you can use to create a life of significance. It's about using your talents to help others, to make a difference in their lives. It's about recognizing that your gifts are not just for you, but for the benefit of others.

Consistency is key. Excellence comes from consistency in using your strengths. It's about practicing your one thing with excellence every day, and over time, your ability will multiply. It's about investing in yourself and your talents, so that you can become a greater source of value to others.

7. Connect with Like-Valued People: The Power of Partnership

One is too small a number to achieve greatness.

No one achieves significance alone. You cannot make a difference by yourself. You need other people to help you, to support you, and to challenge you. It's about building a team of like-minded and like-valued people who share your passion for making a difference.

Shared values are essential. Partnerships must be built on shared values. When people's values are different, there will inevitably be a parting of the ways. It's about finding people who share your vision, your purpose, and your commitment to making a difference.

Partnerships multiply impact. When you partner with the right people, you tap into something you've never had access to before. You gain their knowledge, experience, influence, and potential. It's about recognizing that together you can achieve more than you can alone.

8. Seize the Moment: Urgency and Anticipation Drive Impact

You cannot do a calling too soon for you never know how soon it will be too late.

Now is the time. There is no perfect time to make a difference. The best time is now. It's about living with a sense of urgency, recognizing that every day is an opportunity to make a positive impact on the world. It's about seizing the moment and taking action.

Anticipation fuels action. Anticipation is the belief that you can and will make a difference. It's about expecting to live a life that matters every day. It's about preparing yourself to seize opportunities and to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

Opportunities multiply when seized. Opportunities don't multiply because they are seen; they multiply because they are seized. It's about being proactive, not passive. It's about taking action and making things happen. It's about recognizing that every day is a chance to make a difference, and it's about seizing that chance.

9. Transformation: The Ultimate Goal of Significance

The secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda.

Transformation is the goal. The ultimate goal of significance is transformation, not just for yourself, but for others. It's about helping people to change, to grow, and to become the best versions of themselves. It's about making a positive difference in their lives and in the world.

Transformation is a process. It's not something that happens overnight. It's a journey that requires intentionality, discipline, and consistency. It's about making small changes every day, and over time, those changes will compound into something significant.

Transformation is a lifestyle. It's not just about what you do, but who you become. It's about living a life that is aligned with your values, your purpose, and your desire to make a difference. It's about becoming a transformational leader who inspires others to live lives of significance.

Last updated: January 25, 2025