Have you felt like life is rushing past you without direction, purpose, or intentionality? If you have, you know what it's like to put your arms out and spin really fast without seeing where you're going.
This is a metaphor from one of my favorite movies, Practical Magic, about what love feels like, but I want to use it in a different way...
Life is too precious to waste spinning around aimlessly...
Take charge of your journey TODAY and watch your life unfold in meaningful and fulfilling ways.
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A similar feeling to being all swept up and off your feet by love can feel the same as being swept up and caught off guard by the fast pace of life. You're losing balance, feeling dizzy, and struggling to keep pace with everything around you. Especially in busy seasons of your life.
Sounds kind of romantic, right? But this kind of life comes at a cost...
You might miss out on important moments, relationships, and opportunities. If you don't take the time to refocus, you could end up falling. This is why it's crucial to find purpose and intentionality in life, especially as women.
Here are five tips on how to live a more purpose-driven life and why being intentional matters so much.
1. Embrace Your Values and Beliefs
To live a purpose-driven life, you first need to know who you are and what you stand for. This requires understanding your core values and beliefs - the things that matter most to you in life.
Take the time to reflect on what your passions are, what motivates you, and what makes you happy. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, ands be honest with yourself about your limitations and boundaries.
Once you have a clear understanding of your values and beliefs, you can use them as a compass to guide your decisions and actions. This will ensure that your life is aligned with your purpose and that you're not just going through the motions.
For example, you are presented an opportunity to take a new position at work, but you have determined that your core value is time with your family. You need to stop and think to yourself, "Does this opportunity align with or support my values?" Maybe this new position requires more time at the office and less freedom to attend dance recitals, football games, etc. Or maybe it allows more financial freedom that will allow for more experiences with your family. Knowing your core values allows you to make the correct decision for your life.
2. Set Clearly Defined Goals
Goals are essential when it comes to living a purpose-driven life. They give you direction and focus, as well as allowing you to measure your progress and successes. Clearly defined goals will help you stay on track and avoid getting distracted by the noise or shiny-objects around you.
When setting your goals, make sure they are S.M.A.R.T.
This means that you should identify precisely what you want to achieve, how you will measure success, what steps you need to take, what resources you will need, and when you want to achieve your goals.
Breaking down your big goals into smaller, more manageable action steps can help you stay motivated and confident along the journey to your big, end goal.
3. Practice Gratitude and Mindfulness
Gratitude and mindfulness are powerful tools that can help you stay present, and focused on what's important. By practicing gratitude, you can appreciate thge things you already have in your life and cultivate a positive mindset.
Gratitude and mindfulness can be practiced in many ways:
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Serving others
- Spending time in nature
- Breath-work
- Body Scans
- Simply voicing gratitude by saying "thank you" more often
There are many other ways as well, but choose the ones that work best for you and make them a habit in your daily routine.
4. Practice Self-Care
Self-care is vital when it comes to living a purpose-driven life. It's easy to get caught up in our busy schedules and forget to take care of ourselves. However, neglecting our physical, emotional, and mental health can lead to burnout and affect our ability to pursue our goals and fulfill our purpose.
Make sure to prioritize self-care activities that align with your values and goals. This can include:
- Eating healthy
- Exercising regularly
- Getting enough quality sleep
- Spending time with loved ones
- Pursuing hobbies and interests
- Seeking professional help when needed
Remember, self-care is NOT selfish! It's necessary to recharge and show up as your best self for the people and things you care about. And living a life of personal accountability can help you completely avoid burnout!
5. Surround Yourself With Positive Influences
The people and influences in your life can impact your journey. Therefore, it's important to surround yourself with inspiring, supportive, and positive people who share your values and goals. This can include family members, friends, mentors, and a supportive community.
Be intentional about the relationships you cultivate and don't be afraid to step back from toxic relationships or behaviors. Remember that the people you spend the most time with can influence your thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Choose wisely!
Living a purpose-driven life means being intentional about what you do and why you do it.
It means taking the time to identify your values, set clear goals, practicing gratitude and mindfulness, prioritizing self-care, and surrounding yourself with positive influences. By doing so, you can stay balanced, focused, and fulfilled in your personal and professional life.
In The Revitalized Sisterhood, we women in all different areas of life, different interests and hobbies, from all over North America. But at our core, we all share similar goals and values. We prioritize our mental health, personal growth, and support each other to live our lives in the ways that fit our goals and values.