Do you ever catch yourself jumping from app to app, clicking on Instagram or Facebook without intentionally meaning to do so? If the answer is yes, then you are not alone. In the world of a constant buzz and chatter of news, social media, and unlimited information it is nearly impossible to not drown in the chaos.
What if it were POSSIBLE? What if I told you it is possible to live your life with intention and find more fulfillment and MORE time. Yes, it is possible. It takes dedication. It takes consistency. It takes INTENTION.
In six months I have shifted my life from just going through the motions to survive to now waking up nearly every day ready to take on the tasks and do it with PURPOSE. (Notice I say nearly every day… I am a hormonal woman after all). I am going to share with you 3 steps that you can adopt and not look back in a year or 10 years and wonder what you did with all your time.
As a former personal trainer, time and time again I heard the words “I just don’t have time to workout.” I have empathy for the mothers just trying to survive and working full-time. Maybe if staying active is TRULY a priority this looks like a 10 minute walk around the block with your children, but I digress. The truth is, you have time for whatever you want to prioritize. When I commuted 3 hours a day (YES- 3 hours spent sitting in my car), I made it a priority to get a workout in MOST days. This meant my alarm waking me up at 4AM. Did I love getting my butt out of bed at a time most would consider the middle of the night… NO! Was it a priority to feel better all day long. YES!
In order to spend more time doing things you consider a priority or that are important to you, start by looking at your calendar this week. What is taking up most of your time? Is it a priority of yours to read more or learn how to cook better, but you “do not have the time”? A serious question to ask yourself is- “Do I spend time mindlessly scrolling on my phone?” or “Do I waste several hours ‘relaxing’ watching Netflix”. If the answer is yes then challenge yourself to schedule the extra 15 to 20 minutes it will take to read a chapter of a book or watch a YouTube video on the proper way to bake salmon. Every day, even if it is 10 minutes, counts!
Start small. It can be as simple as putting your phone in your purse for the whole dinner and fully engaging in conversation. It can be to focus on fueling your body with food it will thrive on. It can be reading 10 pages of something you enjoy before bed rather than scrolling on social media. Write it down. Make it a goal for one week and most likely you will start to notice a difference in mindset and it will be the catalyst to intention in many other areas of your life.
Nearly daily I find myself “doing” instead of “being”. I find myself checking off my to-do list of never-ending tasks, but for what purpose?
Did I engage in genuine conversation with someone today?
Did I add value to those around me?
Did I take a step to achieve goals I have set?
If the answer is no, then I am just “doing”. I am filling my time and going through the motions. I am not living for purpose and intention. I am just existing. I want to stop reacting to life and start having a plan to wake up every morning and find meaning in the mundane. Reflect on these questions and try to BE instead of DO.
My hope for all of those in my life is that they can find purpose and fulfillment. That their attention is shifted to INTENTION. To intentionally love and serve others.
Palmer Place Blog 