How can you be more intentional in your life?
So, what does ‘living with intent’ really mean?
Being intentional means setting intentions and acting with purpose and drive. One way to be more intentional is to set intentions with a mantra, such as “I am living my best life,” which will help form a clearer path for you to know what you need to accomplish. Setting an intention, or multiple intentions, on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis, will help you to feel like you are living your life with purpose and will help you measure your success.
An easy way to establish intentions is by writing them down every month, week, or day—whichever interval might work best for you. Simply jot down a list of whatever you want to accomplish for the next time period. For example, “I intend to rekindle my friendship with X” or, “I intend to start practicing yoga three times per week.” These exercises will allow you to gain a clear vision of what you want from life.
Here’s a full guide for living with intent for men aged 20-45 in America:
Living with intention? What the heck does that even mean? It sounds like something a yoga instructor would say while standing on their head. But in all seriousness, living with intention is the opposite of just drifting through life like a lost sock in the laundry.
No, my friend, the secret to living a full and meaningful life is about living with intention and on purpose. It’s like being the captain of your own ship, steering it toward your desired destination instead of just letting the waves take you wherever they please.
As a man aged 20-45 in America, you face unique challenges and opportunities. You’re at a stage in your life where you’re building your career, forming relationships, and perhaps starting a family. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and lose sight of what’s truly important.
But when we live intentionally and on purpose, we become mindful of how we choose to spend our day. Do we really need to spend 3 hours scrolling through Instagram or would that time be better spent pursuing our passions and goals?
So how can you start living with intention? Well, today I’m sharing some steps with you on how you can become the captain of your own ship.
1. Define Your Values and Aspirations: Take some time to reflect on what is important to you and what you want to achieve in life. Write down your values and aspirations to help clarify your vision for the future.
– Reflect on your past experiences and what has brought you joy and fulfillment.
– Consider what you want to achieve in different areas of your life, such as relationships, career, health, personal growth, and community involvement.
– Write down your values and aspirations in a journal or notebook to help clarify your vision for the future.
– Revisit your values and aspirations regularly to ensure that they are still aligned with your current goals and priorities.
“Oh yes, the past can hurt. But from the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.”
– Rafiki (The Lion King, 1994)
2. Set Intentions: Once you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve, set intentions to help guide your actions. Intentions can be short-term or long-term and can be related to any area of your life.
– Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) intentions.
– Write down your intentions in a journal or notebook to help keep yourself accountable.
– Share your intentions with a trusted friend or family member for additional support and accountability.
– Revisit your intentions regularly to track your progress and make any necessary adjustments.
“Just keep swimming.”
– Dory (Finding Nemo, 2003)
3. Take Action: Intentions are only meaningful if they are followed by action. Take steps towards achieving your intentions by setting goals and breaking them down into manageable tasks.
– Break down larger goals into smaller, achievable tasks.
– Schedule time in your calendar to work on specific tasks related to achieving your intentions.
– Hold yourself accountable by tracking your progress and celebrating your successes.
– Don’t be afraid to ask for help or support if you need it.
“Do or do not. There is no try.”
– Yoda (The Empire Strikes Back, 1980)
4. Be Mindful: Living with intention means being mindful of your actions and choices. Practice mindfulness by staying present in the moment and being aware of your thoughts and feelings.
– Practice mindfulness meditation to help improve focus and reduce stress.
– Take breaks throughout the day to check in with yourself and assess how you’re feeling.
– Be mindful of how you spend your time and make choices that align with your values and aspirations.
– Practice gratitude by taking time each day to reflect on what you’re thankful for.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
– Ferris Bueller (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, 1986)
5. Surround Yourself with Supportive People: Surrounding yourself with people who support and encourage you can help you stay motivated and focused on achieving your intentions.
– Seek out friends, family members, or mentors who share your values and aspirations.
– Join a support group or community organization related to one of your interests or goals.
– Don’t be afraid to distance yourself from people who bring negativity into your life.
“My momma always said life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get”
-Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump, 1994)
6. Take Care of Your Health: Your health is one of your most valuable assets. Be intentional about taking care of your physical and mental health by eating well, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and managing stress.
– Eat a balanced and nutritious diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. And yes, pizza can still be part of a balanced diet (in moderation).
– Engage in regular physical activity that you enjoy, such as running, cycling, swimming, or weightlifting. Or just chase your dog around the park for 30 minutes.
– Get enough sleep each night to help improve focus, mood, and overall health. And no, scrolling through social media in bed doesn’t count as sleep.
– Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Or just scream into a pillow if that’s more your style.
> “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” – Elle Woods (Legally Blonde, 2001)
7. Manage Your Finances: Living with intention means being mindful of how you manage your finances. Set financial goals that align with your values and aspirations, such as paying off debt, saving for the future, or investing in yourself.
– Create a budget to help you manage your income and expenses. And no, “winging it” is not a budgeting strategy.
– Set financial goals that align with your values and aspirations. Want to retire on a beach in Hawaii? Start saving now.
– Pay off high-interest debt to free up more money for saving and investing. Say goodbye to those pesky credit card bills.
– Save for the future by contributing to a retirement account or emergency fund. Future you will thank you.
“I’m not great at the advice. Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?”
– Chandler Bing (Friends, 1994-2004)
8. Pursue Your Passions: Life is too short to not do what you love. Make time for hobbies and activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
– Make time for hobbies and activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. Always wanted to learn how to play the guitar? Go for it!
– Take a class or workshop to learn a new skill or improve an existing one. Who knows? You might discover a hidden talent.
– Join a club or group related to one of your interests or passions. Meet like-minded people who share your love for underwater basket weaving.
– Share your passions with others by teaching or mentoring. Inspire others to pursue their own passions.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
– Wayne Gretzky (and Michael Scott from The Office)
9. Give Back: Living with intention means being mindful of how you can make a positive impact on the world around you. Find ways to give back to your community or support causes that are important to you.
– Volunteer your time and skills to help others in your community. Help out at a local food bank or animal shelter.
– Donate money or resources to support causes that are important to you. Every little bit helps.
– Use your talents and abilities to make a positive impact on the world around you. Share your knowledge and expertise with others.
– Be kind and compassionate towards others. A simple act of kindness can go a long way.
“With great power comes great responsibility.”
– Uncle Ben (Spider-Man, 2002)
10. Keep Learning: Life is a journey of continuous learning and growth. Keep challenging yourself to learn new things and expand your horizons.
– Read books or articles on topics that interest you. Expand your knowledge beyond cat memes and celebrity gossip.
– Take a class or workshop to learn something new. Learn how to cook Thai food or speak Italian.
– Travel to new places to experience different cultures and ways of life. Broaden your horizons beyond your own backyard.
– Keep an open mind and be willing to learn from others. You never know what valuable lessons someone else can teach you.
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself…and spiders.”
– Franklin D Roosevelt (and Ron Weasley from Harry Potter)
Bonus:
Here are three options for a bonus section 11 that is super important, awesome, and funny:
11: Embrace Your Inner Child
Remember when you were a kid and the world was full of wonder and possibilities? Just because you’re a grown-up now doesn’t mean you have to lose that sense of awe and curiosity. Embrace your inner child and let yourself have some fun.
– Do something spontaneous and silly. Have a dance party in your living room or go play in the rain.
– Let your imagination run wild. Write a story, draw a picture, or build a pillow fort.
– Take time to play. Play a board game with friends or go to an arcade.
– Don’t take yourself too seriously. Laugh at yourself and don’t be afraid to be silly.
“To infinity and beyond!”
– Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story, 1995)
12: Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and do the same things day in and day out. But growth and learning happen when we step outside of our comfort zones and try new things. Challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone and see what you’re capable of.
– Try something new. Take up a new hobby or try a new type of food.
– Face your fears. Do something that scares you, like public speaking or bungee jumping.
– Travel to a new place. Experience a different culture and way of life.
– Take risks. Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is just an opportunity to learn and grow.
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
– Neale Donald Walsch
13: Practice Self-Care
In our busy lives, it’s easy to neglect our own needs and put ourselves last. But taking care of yourself is essential for living a fulfilling and purposeful life. Make time for self-care and prioritize your own well-being.
– Take time for yourself. Do something that brings you joy and relaxation, like reading a book or taking a bubble bath.
– Practice self-compassion. Be kind to yourself and don’t beat yourself up over mistakes or setbacks.
– Nurture your relationships. Spend time with people who lift you up and support you.
– Take care of your body. Eat well, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and manage stress.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.”
– Unknown
I hope one of these options resonates with you!
On a personal note:
My friend John was feeling stuck in a rut. He had a job that paid the bills but didn’t bring him any fulfillment. He spent his free time mindlessly scrolling through social media or watching TV. He felt like he was just going through the motions of life without any real purpose or direction.
One day, John decided that enough was enough. He wanted to live a more fulfilling and purposeful life. So he took some time to reflect on his values and aspirations. He realized that he wanted to make a positive impact on the world and help others.
John set an intention to find a new job that aligned with his values and allowed him to make a difference. He started volunteering at a local non-profit organization on the weekends and found that it brought him a sense of joy and fulfillment.
At the non-profit organization, John met a girl named Sarah who shared his passion for making a difference in the world. They hit it off and started dating. Sarah had always wanted a dog, and John had always dreamed of having one too. So they decided to adopt a rescue dog together.
Eventually, John was able to find a new job at a non-profit organization where he could use his skills and talents to make a positive impact on the world. He also started making more mindful choices about how he spent his time, pursuing hobbies and activities that brought him joy and fulfillment.
John’s journey towards living with intention wasn’t easy and it didn’t happen overnight. But by setting intentions and taking action towards achieving them, he was able to turn his life around and start living with purpose.
Now, John feels like he’s the captain of his own ship, steering it toward his desired destination. He’s happier, more fulfilled, and more engaged with the world around him. And he has Sarah by his side and their furry friend to share it all with. And it all started with the decision to live with intention.
WTR – Why That’s Radass?
So there you have it, folks. The ultimate full guide for living with intention for men aged 20-45 in America. This article is radass because it provides practical tips and actionable steps for living a fulfilling and purposeful life. It’s not just a bunch of fluff and inspirational quotes (although those are pretty cool too). This article gives you the tools you need to take control of your life and steer it in the direction you want.
So how can you use this article? Start by reflecting on your own values and aspirations. What’s truly important to you? What do you want to achieve in life? Then, set intentions and take action towards achieving them. Follow the practical tips and advice in this article to help guide you on your journey.
And don’t keep this article to yourself. Share it with your friends, family members, or anyone who could benefit from living with intention. Together, we can all live more fulfilling and purposeful lives.
So go forth and be radass. Live with intention and make the most of every day.
Studies about living with intention:
Here is a list of references to scientific studies that support the tips in the ultimate guide for living with intention:
1. A 2019 study published in JAMA Network Open found that among a group of nearly 7,000 adults over age 50, those who scored highest on a scale that measured “life purpose” were less likely to die during the four-year study period ¹.
2. A review commissioned by the John Templeton Foundation examined more than six decades of literature surrounding the nature of human purpose and found that purpose is a stable and generalized intention to accomplish something that is at once personally meaningful and at the same time leads to productive engagement with some aspect of the world beyond the self ².
3. A 2021 study found that participants who recorded their distress, well-being, and values-based actions every day for 21 days experienced an increase in well-being and a decrease in distress when they engaged in values-based actions ³.
These studies suggest that living with intention and purpose can have positive effects on well-being and longevity.
(1) Will a purpose-driven life help you live longer? – Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/will-a-purpose-driven-life-help-you-live-longer-2019112818378.
(2) The Psychology of Purpose | John Templeton Foundation. https://www.templeton.org/discoveries/the-psychology-of-purpose.
(3) Intentional Living: Why and How to Start Acting with Purpose. https://psychcentral.com/health/intentional-living.
WTR? (Why’s That Radass?)
We want you, our audience, to be as satisfied with your own lives as is humanly possible. Living with intent is a way to accomplish this that will create a sense of confidence, contentment, and inner peace that many seek but few ever find. When you’re comfortable with who you are, the world becomes a little easier to navigate.
